It might seem as though alto-saxophonist Sherman Irby came out of nowhere. Before anyone knew it, he emerged on the New York scene, playing at Small’s, working in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, stealing the show in Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program, and touring the world with Roy Hargrove. Irby has recorded three records to date: Full Circle (Blue Note), Big Mama’s Biscuits (Blue Note), and Black Warrior (BWR). The New York Times voted his record, Big Mama’s Biscuits, as one of the top 10 records of 1998.

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Sherman Demaster Irby, Jr., chose the viola as his first instrument. Encouraged by his mother to explore music, Irby later studied the guitar and piano, which he played in church. Although he was studying classical music in school, playing gospel music in church, and R&B at dances, all it took was an initial taste of Charlie Parker to turn his head to jazz. After graduating high school, Irby attended Clark-Atlanta University. There, he played in the school jazz orchestra and performed with Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Rouse and Kenny Burrell.

After graduation, and two years of working on a cruise ship, Irby moved to New York. In 1994, Irby played with the Boys Choir of Harlem and the following year he landed the second alto chair with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. In 1996 and 1997, he participated in Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program, and toured with Marcus Roberts. Mr. Irby has also worked with Ann Hampton-Callaway, the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New York City Ballet.

Also in 1997 Irby joined Roy Hargrove’s band, performing with the Grammy award winning “Crisol” project. Sherman stayed in Hargrove’s group for the following three years touring and dazzling audiences all over the world. Currently, Irby is touring with is own group and promoting his new record Black Warrior.

In his own words:

"Like so many musicians in my generation, I was exposed to music at a young age. My father had an old electric guitar in the house, and he showed me the only thing he knew – the blues. Just having the opportunity to pluck the strings with my fingers, feeling the strings vibrate in my hand, and hearing the sounds that I generated gave me a lot of joy. It also strengthened my confidence because I could instantly hear the results of my hard work. I have realized that times have changed, and many children do not have the opportunity to experience music the way I did. When Bruce Forman told me about JazzMasters Workshop, I was immediately interested because it gave me a chance to offer to children the same experience I had. I know that even if a child doesn’t become a professional musician, he/she will carry that feeling of accomplishment for the rest of their lives."