He was a member of such bands as the David Matthews Orchestra (as well as of Matthews' Manhattan Jazz Orchestra), Duke Pearson's Big Band, Pond Life, The Charlie Calello Orchestra, The Pond Life Orchestra, Mike Longo's New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble, and also played on Eumir Deodato's combo during the "2001 heyday" of the Brazilian maestro.
Actually, we became friends when I was supervising and writing the liner notes for the first CD reissue of Deodato's "In Concert - Live At Felt Forum" (a.k.a. The CTI Space Concert) and interviewed him. In recent years, we used to correspond through Facebook, after he joined my friend Mike Longo's New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble in 2006, recording the "Explosion" album.
But the first time I had heard Shepley in a solo spot was on David Matthews' masterpiece concept album, "Dune" (CTI, 1977), on which he was featured playing the melody (on flugelhorn) on John Williams' "Princess Leia's Theme," a beautiful ballad from the "Star Wars" soundtrack.
And I watch him very often on a splendid DVD by Matthews' Manhattan Jazz Orchestra filmed 20 years later in Japan for Panasonic, titled "Great Jazz In Kobe '97."
Shepley also recorded with George Benson, Marvin Stamm, Kai Winding, Paul Desmond, Don Sebesky, Ron Carter, Michel Legrand, Herbie Mann, Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy McGriff, Urbie Green, Jeremy Steing, T.S. Monk, J.J. Johnson, Hank Crawford, Art Farmer, David "Fathead" Newman, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charles Earland, Meco, Kenny Burrell, Narada Michael Walden, Earl Klugh, and singers Bobby Scott, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Astrud Gilberto, B.B. King, Paul Anka, Carol Douglas, Esther Phillips, Bonnie Tyler, James Ingram, Aretha Franklin, Grace Slick, David Byrne, Sinéad O'Connor, Neil Diamond, Jon Lucien, Billy Joel, Janis Ian, Dory Previn, Nona Hendryx and even Julian Lennon.
Joseph James Shepley was born on August 7, 1930 to Joseph and Eleanor Nyahay Shepley in Yonkers where he was raised and attended local schools. Joseph served his country in the US Army from 1952 to 1954 serving in Korea. He married Helen Dedyo on September 25, 1955 in Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, she survives living in Yonkers. Joseph belonged to Local 802 Musicians Union. He began playing professionally in 1942 at the age of 12, he graduated with his Master's Degree from The Manhattan School of Music in 1957. The rest is history.
Besides his wife Helen he is also survived by his son Joe Shepley of Oak Park, IL. 3 daughters Maryellen Shepley of Mt. Vernon, NY, Susan Cuevas Bennett of Long Island, and Pamela Quinn of Tarrytown, NY, 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother Donald Shepley in 2006. Visiting hours will be at the Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Monday from 7-9pm and Tuesday from 12-4pm. A funeral service will be at 3pm.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that you make a donation in Joe's name to The Musicians Assistance Fund (MAP) at Local 802 Musicians Union. Donations can be made to Local 802 Musicians Assistance Program Local 802 AFM 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036.
Rest In Peace.
168 Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10703, Ph: (914) 965-5488
Visitation
Monday, March 28, 2016
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Whalen & Ball Funeral Home
168 Park Ave
Yonkers, NY 10703
Visitation
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
12:00 pm - 4:00 am
Whalen & Ball Funeral Home
168 Park Ave
Yonkers, NY 10703
Funeral Service
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Whalen & Ball Funeral Home
168 Park Ave
Yonkers, NY 10703
Joe, I'm so grateful that I met you when you joined my orchestra so many years ago. And we reconnected on LinkedIn only a short time ago! You always were a great player, but, more than that, I was struck by what a fine person you were: always generous with your time, always with a great humor, always the serious musician striving for the best in yourself and all of the others around you. Lorry and I will miss you, Joe. You were the best. RIP
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