Shanise Hall coming through!!!
- Photos and Interview by Patricia Pascal
- Apr 29
- 5 min read
Trumpet player Shanise Hall has steadily grown with each of her solo performances. The last one, this weekend at Bricklane Jazz Festival, brought the house down and left us all waiting for more.
A couple of years ago, Shanise, who was then a neuroscience student and musician, faced a crossroads between completing her studies and pursuing her passion for music. Ultimately, her love for music triumphed, and we are excited to witness her gradual rise within the UK jazz scene.
Let's take a moment to learn more about her.
How did you start playing music?
In primary school, there was a programme where you played an instrument for a term and were allocated an instrument. It was the trumpet because I was the only person who could make a sound on it. However, I started playing trumpet again in secondary school, where I began taking trumpet and violin lessons in year 7.
What organisations impacted your development?
My jazz journey began in January 2020 when I joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra Academy.
I received a scholarship/bursary to join NYJO Academy, which marked my first introduction to jazz.
Later, I joined the Grand Union Orchestra.
I attended 'Summer Runnings' in the summer of 2021, where my journey with the Warriors began. ◦
The Grand Union Orchestra has greatly supported my development as a musician. My first paid gig was with the Grand Union re: generation band. I had never felt so proud and accomplished making money from my passion. I will always be grateful for their support and the opportunities they have provided me throughout the years. ◦
Tomorrow's Warriors has dramatically impacted my development as a musician. It was one of the first places where I felt safe, and receiving mentorship from Gary Crosby and other Warriors tutors has been invaluable. They made me realise that I could pursue music and feel more secure in my decision to diverge from the path of studying neuroscience and give jazz a real shot.
Why did you decide to choose music over Neuroscience?
Previously, I studied Neuroscience at the University of Bristol while gigging and attending Warriors on the weekends. I also worked two jobs in Bristol to fund all the weekly travel to London.
Eventually, I got burnt out, and my mental health suffered because I was putting too much pressure on myself. ◦
I had an insane day in January of 2023 where I was woken up to three incredible music opportunities: one was to be cast in 'Tyler Perry's Six Triple Eight', another was to do a Photoshoot with 'Apple Music', and then I was asked to be a part of the Orii community Album recordings at Total Refreshment Centre. Simultaneously, I was dealing with family drama that required me to be in London to support them through that, which meant I had to take a couple of days of university anyway. ◦ At that moment, it felt like a message from God to stop fighting against my true calling, commit to music, and give it a shot. That is when I decided that I was going to drop out of university and go back to London where I could focus on music and also be there for my family simultaneously rather than being away in Bristol because the last thing I wanted to happen was to be older and wonder what I could have been if I had taken the leap of faith and committed to music and done the 'thing'. ◦ It has been a year since I decided to drop out and commit to music, and I don't regret my decision. I feel very blessed to be able to do what I love for a living and get to explore the world with my trumpet alongside me. It wasn't an easy decision, but it was made easier by knowing I had Warriors and amazing people in my corner to support me through this transition, where I found my feet in the music scene and grew as an artist.
How was the process of putting your band together?
I met my band members individually on separate occasions, just from gigging and attending Jam sessions. The thought process behind putting my band together was choosing individuals I felt enjoyed playing with and whose playing styles were suited to the sound I imagined for my original music. However, some of my band members are in different stages of their musical and jazz journey. I wanted to pick individuals I knew I could grow with and wouldn't stagnate. ◦ A big thing for me was being surrounded by like-minded individuals who also wanted to continue improving at their instruments rather than getting comfortable with their current level. ◦ I wanted my band to be a place where we could challenge each other but also be a safe space where if anyone were struggling, they would feel safe and seen and have somewhere to express that because I have been in toxic band environments, and that is the last thing I wanted my band to be. ◦ I also chose people whose personalities I knew would get along with each other even though they didn't know each other beforehand.
Could you tell me about the process of composing your original material? Are you composing alone or co-writing with the band?
The composing process is challenging for me. For my first proper original, I composed it alone for a couple of months. It was constantly bugging me, so I started writing on the piano. Whenever I'm at the grand piano, it's always inspiring. At first, I was practising 'There will never be another you's' chord changes on the piano, looking at the voice leading. Then, I made a mistake and liked it, so I continued messing with it, and that piece eventually became the 'moment' I wrote the bass line on the piano, then played it on double bass, and the same with drums. But, I am very open to writing with my band and plan to do so in the future.
Are you planning to record soon? For now, I intend to write more music and gig my originals for at least a year, and then eventually, I'll get in the studio and release something. I don't want to rush the process, and I am happy to be on my own timing when it comes down to releasing music, but hopefully, in two years, I'll have at least a single out.
*This interview was done in 2024 after Shanise Hall performance at WE OUT HERE FESTIVAL.
Follow Shanise Hall at https://www.instagram.com/shanise9676/
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