Saxophonist, Shelley Carrol hails from family of gospel singers and musicians in Houston, Texas. He attended the city’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and was a standout in the city’s Summer Jazz Workshop Program. While attending the University of North Texas, Shelley earned a spot in the Grammy Nominated One O’clock Lab Band. There he recorded two critically acclaimed CD’s in 1990 and 91. During the same period, Mr. Carrol was invited to join the Duke Ellington Orchestra by trumpeter Barry Lee Hall. Since joining the band, he has toured the U.S. and over 30 foreign countries. Most recently, he has also held down the saxophone chair for multi-platinum artist, Sheryl Crow. Shelley evolved to record as a leader in 1997. He was able to feature members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra on his debut CD for Leaning House Records. His second CD, A Distant Star was released in the fall of 2001. Carrol’s 3rd release is Gentle Friend and features Scott Bucklin (pa), Jonathan Fisher (bs) and Garry Granger (dr). His latest CD is entitled I Heard That and features the late legendary Texas Tenor, Marchel Ivery along with guest appearances from Ardina Lockhart, Roger Boykin, Stefon Karlsson, and other Dallas area luminaries. Shelley has received numerous awards including the 2007 Sammons Center for the Arts Jazz Artist of the Year. He was also a finalist for the 2008 Texas State Musician. Carrol currently endorses MacSax instruments and Roberto reeds. Other career highlights: Sheryl Crow 100 Miles from Memphis World Tour 2009-2011 Roger Watters-In the Flesh Tour Kirk Franklin’s Joyful Noise original Movie soundtrack 2011 Shelley Carrol - State of the Texas Tenor Tour 2013