SHAWN PURCELL GROUP + WALT WEISKOPF
Schedule
Sat Dec 06 2025 at 07:00 pm to 11:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
3108 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA, United States, Virginia 23221 | Richmond, VA
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Guitarist Shawn Purcell strikes a harmonious balance between impressive "liquid-fire" guitar work and beautifully crafted compositions. His exceptional ensemble features legendary saxophonist Walt Weiskopf (Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan).Guitarist Shawn Purcell’s latest Origin Records release, Oblivity, is a bold exploration of modern straight-ahead jazz, blending elements of bebop, hard-bop, post-bop, ECM, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and fusion. Featuring an eclectic set of all-original compositions, the album draws inspiration from iconic artists including Antonio Carlos Jobim, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, John Scofield, John Coltrane, Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter and others. Oblivity includes the exceptional talents of saxophone great Walt Weiskopf, whose unique tone and virtuosic playing contributes a powerful presence and commanding energy to the project. A world-class band brings the music to life, with every musician infusing the ensemble with their unique and imaginative voice. Throughout this recording, Purcell displays his deep connection with traditional and modern improvisational language, while exploring the expansive tonal range of modern jazz guitar. Whether you're drawn to sophisticated harmonies, infectious grooves, exceptionally crafted solos, or artful, genre-crossing elements, Oblivity delivers a listening experience that will captivate both jazz fans and newcomers alike.
Dr. Shawn Purcell, originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and educator based in the Washington DC region. Purcell has shared the stage, recorded with, and/or toured with Walt Weiskopf, Pat Bianchi, Regina Carter, Steve Fidyk, Chip McNeill, Sean Jones, Steve Allee, Brian Charette, Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, Lucas Pino, Peter Erskine, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra, Eddie Daniels, National Symphony Orchestra and many others. Purcell has appeared at jazz venues and festivals around the globe. His performance credits include legendary venues like The Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Smalls, Chris’ Jazz Café, The Jazz Kitchen, The Bop Stop, Con Alma, Sharp 9 Gallery, Keystone Korner Baltimore, JazzB in São Paulo and Aalt Stadhaus in Luxembourg as well as major festivals such as Umbria Jazz Festival, Ancona Jazz Festival, DC Jazz Fest, Indy Jazz Fest and Savannah Jazz Festival.
As a recording artist, Purcell’s guitar work can be heard on nearly 40 albums with Chip McNeill, Steve Fidyk, Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Ben Patterson Group, Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra, The Capitol Bones, Mike Tomaro Big Band and multiple releases by vocalist Darden Purcell, including her latest release Love’s Got Me In a Lazy Mood (OA2 Records). His debut as a bandleader, Symmetricity, was released in 2019 on Armored Records, followed by 180, released on Origin Records in 2022. His latest 2025 Origin Records album, Oblivity, features saxophone great Walt Weiskopf.
Purcell dedicated over 20 years as a member of the military big bands in Washington DC. From 1996-2004, Purcell was the guitarist in the US Air Force jazz ensemble, The Airmen of Note. During his time with “The Note,” Purcell performed in England, Germany, Turkey, Luxembourg, The Azores, Belgium, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Kuwait, and Bahrain. He recently finished his tenure as the guitarist with the Washington DC based US Navy Band “Commodores” jazz ensemble.
Saxophonist, composer and author Walt Weiskopf began his New York career performing with the Buddy Rich Big Band in 1981 at the age of 21. Since then, he has made an impressive mark as both a leader and sideman with 25 critically-acclaimed albums and countless sideman credits, including performing and recording with Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald.
The ensemble includes: Shawn Purcell (guitar); Walt Weiskopf (tenor saxophone); Darden Purcell (voice); Ben Patterson (trombone); Paul Bratcher (piano); Kris Monson (bass); and Steve Fidyk (drums).
SHOW NOTES
Admission: $20
Doors: 7:00PM
Music: 8:00PM - 11:00PM
21+ / 16+ must be accompanied by an adult
Reserved seating.
Tickets: https://www.revelerexperiences.com/event/shawn-purcell-group-walt-weiskopf
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Where is it happening?
3108 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA, United States, Virginia 23221Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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