Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist)
Encyclopedia
Sheldon Reynolds is a guitarist
, vocalist, and songwriter
.
and later played and produced music for Capital recording artists, Sun.
He joined The Commodores in 1983, replacing original guitarist Thomas McClary. He remained with the group until 1987, when he left to join Earth, Wind & Fire.
Reynolds is most widely known as former lead guitarist and vocalist with the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire. During that era, Reynolds also recorded with the group Chicago. His tenure with Earth, Wind & Fire lasted 14 years. Reynolds received an Image Award for lifetime achievement while a member of Earth, Wind & Fire. In the mid 90’s Reynolds was nominated for a Grammy for the popular song Sunday Morning, which Reynolds wrote and recorded with EWF.
In 2004, he formed Devoted Spirits with two former members of EWF, Morris Pleasure and original member Larry Dunn
. They recorded and released a tribute CD to their former band called Devoted Spirits "A Tribute To Earth, Wind, and Fire". Sheldon also served as producer on a CD project for breakout vocalist Victoria White. The CD was released in May 2008 on the Kalimba label headed by his former mentor, Maurice White
.
Also to Reynolds' credits are his work as writer and performer with a number of other well-known artists, such as the Pointer Sisters
, Stephanie Mills
and Paula Abdul
. Reynolds' vocal work includes the musical soundtrack from the motion picture Glory, as well as theme music for the hit television shows Who's The Boss and Chicago Hope
. His voice can also be heard in television commercials.
Also completed in 2008 was the CD "Bringing Back The Funk
", an all star old school funk CD from Sheldon's current band leader, jazz artist Brian Culbertson
. Sheldon, who has performed with Culbertson since April 2007, is heard singing the lead vocals on the CD's first number one single, "Always Remember". The song pays loving tribute to Sheldon's mother, Betty Reynolds, who died in November 2005. Sheldon continues to perform worldwide with Culbertson and his own group, Devoted Spirits. Sheldon appeared live on the Jazz Matrix Show on Solar Radio with Michael J. Parlett
on March 8, 2009.
Reynolds has a great passion for music, but he also has a passion for astronomy. He regularly takes his telescope out to local parks to share the wonders of the night sky with his family and friends, and he enjoys astrophotography. In August 2010, Astronomy Magazine was pleased to welcome him to the team as a contributing editor. He says the magazine has fulfilled one of his life dreams — to share his love of the stars with a greater audience.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, vocalist, and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
Biography
At the age of 8, Reynolds picked up the guitar. In 1977, Sheldon graduated from Mount Healthy High School where he was active in the music program. During the early stages of his professional career, Reynolds toured with blues performer Millie JacksonMillie Jackson
Mildred "Millie" Jackson is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter and comedienne. Three of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 copies....
and later played and produced music for Capital recording artists, Sun.
He joined The Commodores in 1983, replacing original guitarist Thomas McClary. He remained with the group until 1987, when he left to join Earth, Wind & Fire.
Reynolds is most widely known as former lead guitarist and vocalist with the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire. During that era, Reynolds also recorded with the group Chicago. His tenure with Earth, Wind & Fire lasted 14 years. Reynolds received an Image Award for lifetime achievement while a member of Earth, Wind & Fire. In the mid 90’s Reynolds was nominated for a Grammy for the popular song Sunday Morning, which Reynolds wrote and recorded with EWF.
In 2004, he formed Devoted Spirits with two former members of EWF, Morris Pleasure and original member Larry Dunn
Larry Dunn
Larry Dunn is a keyboardist, musical director and one of the founding members of the music group Earth, Wind, & Fire. Dunn, along with other members of Earth, Wind & Fire were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.-Career:...
. They recorded and released a tribute CD to their former band called Devoted Spirits "A Tribute To Earth, Wind, and Fire". Sheldon also served as producer on a CD project for breakout vocalist Victoria White. The CD was released in May 2008 on the Kalimba label headed by his former mentor, Maurice White
Maurice White
Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...
.
Also to Reynolds' credits are his work as writer and performer with a number of other well-known artists, such as the Pointer Sisters
Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters are an American pop/R&B recording act from Oakland, California that achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. Spanning over three decades, their repertoire has included such diverse genres as pop, disco, jazz, bebop, blues, soul, funk, dance, country and rock.The...
, Stephanie Mills
Stephanie Mills
Stephanie Dorthea Mills is an American R&B and soul singer, and a former Broadway star.-Career:Mills began her career appearing in her first play at the age of nine. Two years later, Mills won Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater a record six times...
and Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
. Reynolds' vocal work includes the musical soundtrack from the motion picture Glory, as well as theme music for the hit television shows Who's The Boss and Chicago Hope
Chicago Hope
Chicago Hope is an American medical drama series created by David E. Kelley that ran from September 18, 1994, to May 5, 2000. It takes place in a fictional private charity hospital.-Premise:The show stars Mandy Patinkin as Dr...
. His voice can also be heard in television commercials.
Also completed in 2008 was the CD "Bringing Back The Funk
Bringing Back The Funk
Bringing Back The Funk is an album by Brian Culbertson which was released on GRP Records. The album reached number 1 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums Chart and stayed there for two weeks...
", an all star old school funk CD from Sheldon's current band leader, jazz artist Brian Culbertson
Brian Culbertson
Brian Culbertson is a musician and instrumentalist from Decatur, Illinois, United States. Son of jazz band director and trumpeter Jim Culbertson, Brian's instruments include the keyboard and trombone....
. Sheldon, who has performed with Culbertson since April 2007, is heard singing the lead vocals on the CD's first number one single, "Always Remember". The song pays loving tribute to Sheldon's mother, Betty Reynolds, who died in November 2005. Sheldon continues to perform worldwide with Culbertson and his own group, Devoted Spirits. Sheldon appeared live on the Jazz Matrix Show on Solar Radio with Michael J. Parlett
Michael J. Parlett
Michael J. Parlett is an English jazz saxophonist producer and radio host.-Career:Michael J. Parlett is a prominent British saxophonist and bandleader whose musical abilities were borne of the 1980 jazz music genre...
on March 8, 2009.
Personal life
Reynolds lives in Los Angeles, California.Reynolds has a great passion for music, but he also has a passion for astronomy. He regularly takes his telescope out to local parks to share the wonders of the night sky with his family and friends, and he enjoys astrophotography. In August 2010, Astronomy Magazine was pleased to welcome him to the team as a contributing editor. He says the magazine has fulfilled one of his life dreams — to share his love of the stars with a greater audience.
External links
- www.myspace.com/sheldonreynolds
- http://www.astronomy.com/feelgood
- http://www.sheldonmreynolds.instantecom.net/