Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Pianist strikes heroic notes

A Blake High junior transforms at the keyboard.

By ERNEST HOOPER Times Staff Writer
Published October 12, 2007

By day, Alfred Sheppard Jr. plays the part of bespectacled Blake High School junior, displaying all the timidity of Clark Kent.

But when Sheppard, 16, takes the stage, the glasses come off, and he transforms into a keyboard superhero.

"We call him Superman," said Eric Green, founder and president of Everyone's Youth United, and host of the recent Bay Area Idol music competition.

"He walked into the auditions, and he was this little young cat with glasses. All of a sudden he took his glasses off, and we could not believe when he started playing that piano. It was like he went into another world and played like one of the biggest jazz musicians in the nation.

"When he takes those glasses off and the music begins, he literally becomes someone else."

Area residents can witness the transformation when Alfred Sheppard and N-Versions takes the stage at 3 p.m. Saturday at Resurrection Catholic Church's Block Party. Backed by Blake's David Peterson on bass and Bloomingdale High's Anders Jensen on drums, Sheppard said his group will offer the audience a mix of smooth jazz, Motown and pop tunes.

The audience likely will be pleased. The trio took first place in the miscellaneous category at last month's Bay Area Idol competition, and also wowed folks at the Florida State Fair, the Strawberry Festival and Mojito's Grill in Riverview.

Sheppard has come a long way since playing recitals at Valrico Elementary, where his father is the music teacher.

"Any opportunity I get to play, I love," said Sheppard, who used his share of the $1,000 Idol prize to buy more music equipment. "I don't care if I'm playing R&B, rock, gospel, whatever. As long as I get to play, it's fine."

Sheppard grew up in a musical family, but his father and mother, Yvonne, were surprised to see him take to the piano at age 4. They taught him all they knew, and he got formal lessons when he turned 11. At age 12, he formed N-Versions. The original band included another promising young Tampa talent, saxophonist Bernard "B.K." Jackson.

Several band members have come and gone from the band, but nothing has deterred Sheppard from pursuing his passion. In addition to performing with the group, Sheppard plays piano at Bible Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa and Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Plant City.

He not only loves to perform, but he also composes music. He won awards for Hurricane, a 32-part symphonic composition he penned with the help of a computer program.

Now he's hoping his upcoming second CD will help him break through.

"I'm shaping this CD, as much as I can, to what you hear on WSJT 94.1 FM so I can get people to listen up," Sheppard said. "I'm studying smooth-jazz styles. I'm trying to feature the guitar and a variety of instruments."

Ernest Hooper also writes a column for the Tampa & State section. He can be reached at hooper@sptimes.com or 226-3406.

Fast facts

If you go

What: Resurrection Catholic Church Block Party - midway rides, entertainment, vendors, food, arts and crafts.

Where: 6819 Krycul Ave., Riverview.

When: 5-11 p.m. today; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-11 p.m. Sunday.

Admission: Free. Armband purchase required for rides. Armbands cost $10 today, $15 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Three-day armbands can be bought for $30.

Information: 677-2175

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 07:29:47]