4-2-15 Larry Shafer, at 81, produces his first CD: Another example of a vision attained…..with a lot of community support

Last week I wrote about Anna Edwards and her vision that created a stunning version of the Carmina Burana.

Last Sunday, I attended the CD release party for Larry Shafer at Ott & Murphy. It was a celebration of a great accomplishment with some parallels to my story of Anna Edwards and the Saratoga Orchestra. Someone has a vision to create something special and pursued that vision to a final product.

When he was a young man, Larry Shafer enjoyed singing, but as he pursued his career as an attorney, the dreams of his youth were pushed back.  He worked at his career in Seattle for 50 years.  He moved to Whidbey Island in 1976 and continued his law practice until he retired a few years ago.

In retirement on Whidbey, several people entered Larry’s life to support and encourage him to return to singing.  He took his first singing lessons with Keith Bowers (one third of the Trio Nouveau).  Then he took additional voice lessons from Nancy Nolan, who invited Larry to come sing with her at Ott & Murphy. 

The vision of making a CD began to progress about three years ago.  He started listening to, and talking with, some of great professional musicians on Whidbey.  He started working with Roger Bennett, a percussionist;  then Gary Way, a pianist, became his music coach. 

The final product, “Larry Shafer, Songs from the Twentieth Century Songbook” was gifted to those who came to the release party.  We heard Larry sing every one of the songs from the album with his sweet tones, accompanied by Greg Beck Troy Chapman, Gary Way, Scott Small, Jonathan Small and Roger Bennett.  Nancy Nolan joined in. 

The album cover contains many more thank you’s and a quote from Larry: “I could not have succeeded to complete this album without those who volunteered their talent and energy – those who are thanked now on this album.  They gave their hearts.”