Shannon Gunn, a  brilliant vocalist and composer, had been a celebrated fixture on the Canadian jazz scene for decades up until her untimely passing in July 2020.

Her reputation as a musician’s musician ensured a particular kind of reverence from her fans, fellow artists and several generations of students.

Although her work was well known to her enthusiastic live audiences, she had never released an album of her own. Shannon tragically passed from cancer in 2020, leaving the music community with a massive void.

On A Mountain, an unearthed treasure, was recorded in 2002 but never released. Its appearance now on Cellar Live, should go a long way toward filling this gap and allowing the world to get a rare glimpse of this compelling artist at the top of her form.

Shannon grew up in Vancouver where she studied classical piano. As her musical direction shifted to jazz she developed a successful singing career in Western Canada. She subsequently moved to Toronto where she drew the attention of many of that city’s top musicians.

Her  work as an educator had always paralleled her performing career. She was as gifted a teacher as she was a singer and made a huge impact on the many students who crossed her path.

Shannon’s singing demonstrated incredible facility and expressiveness, as well as a deep awareness of the musical interplay in a band.  She honed a highly personal style that hearkened to the great jazz singers yet was unquestionably her own.

This release comes out just over a year after her passing. The album is a true discovery, brought to the label from Shannon’s husband Brian Dickenson.

It features a dream team band of multi-Juno Award winners: Renee Rosnes on piano, Neil Swainson on bass, Billy Drummond on drums, Brad Turner on trumpet, Pat Labarbera on saxophone and Rick Lazar on percussion.

TRACKS

From You

Carla's Blues

In The Moment

Wild Is Love

I've Grown Accustomed To His Face

On A Mountain

A Felicidade

Mean Joe

Everything I Love