Sherri Shiri

A Chicagoan since the age of four, Sherri Shiri proudly embraces the red clay roots of her birth place, Clarksville, TN. Sherri is a product of all of Chicago's music history. Idolizing Chicago legends like Dinah Washington, and the super producers Curtis Mayfield, and Charles Stepney. Admiring the rich musical rhythm and blues performers like the Dells, The Staple Singers, The Emotions, and the Big Bands that her Grandfather loved so much. She studied music at the American Conservatory of Music after graduating from DePaul University. She credits mentoring from Chicago based legends, Bill McFarland, Billy Branch, and Dave Rice for her real training.

It was her time fronting a Latin jazz band, Manteca in the early 90's that took her beyond impersonating Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, and whomever was the latest, hottest chick singer of the time. Performing with Manteca shaped her sound and helped Sherri find her style. The incredibly talented musicians in that band taught her rhythm and the truth about her African ancestry. Some how that period of time was the most influential in the development of her vocal styling and compositions too.

The singer/songwriter produced her first CD of music that tells revealing stories through gifted songwriting and soulful vocals. Rhythmic grooves reflect her love affair with Latin rhythms, jazz, blues, funk and rock music. Her music immediately connects to icons like Bonnie Raitt, Gladys Knight, John Mayer, Stevie Nicks, Carlos Santana and Bettye Lavette. Audiences can expect a polished, high energy performance of storytelling and soulful music with funky grooves. Diverse listeners of adult contemporary, jazz, blues, and modern rock will appreciate her fusing of soulful music.

For years, Sherri has performed throughout Europe and Asia, at Harrah's Casinos, Showboat, the Empress Casino, the Spirit of Chicago, The Odyssey Cruise, Famous Dave's, Isaac Hayes' clubs in Chicago and Memphis, TN, and a multitude of weddings, corporate events, and night clubs.