Jill Sharpe wrote her first song, and started her first band, at 14. At 16, her first gig was lead singer for a band called Toxic Shock she soon got her first guitar gig for a band called The Gumby’s, then started playing guitar and singing lead vocals with an all girl Power Pop band called Tiger Lily, opening for bands like The Ventures, The Bangles, Fear, and The Ramones. She played speed metal with Flesh Weapon, Glam with The Flame Throwers and Surf with more girl bands. Jill was an original member of the all girl swing band Queen Voodoo, based in LA, opening for BB King and the Neville Brothers at the Greek Theater, performing at the Big Time Blues Festival with Canned Heat, John Hammond and Clerence "Gatemouth" Brown, etc. as well as the Blue Café, House fo Blues and more. Since becoming a more seasoned player, Miss Sharpe’s vocals have been compared to Bonnie Raitt and Ella Fitgerald, her guitar work has been compared to greats from T-Bone Walker to Carlos Santa and with the nickname “Jilly Hendrix” you're probably getting the idea.
After relocating to Huntington Beach in the 90’s, it was time to start the Jill Sharpe Band. She moved Long Beach in 93 and began producing and recording with Wade Wilkinson (Sublime) and to this day remains the lone writer of all original material performed by the Band. Band Leader, Lead Guitarist, Lead Vocalist and producer, Jill Sharpe has been a mainstay on the Blues Scene for many, many years. This seemed the place to stay, and stay she has. 20 years later She’s still going strong and Lovin’ Every Minute of it! The Jill Sharpe Band has performed at the Doheny Blues Festival, House of Blues (LA), Mother’s Tavern, The Gig, The Little Red Rooster, Key Club, Cafe Boogaloo and Martini Blues just to name a few.
She's been big on the LA Beach scene since she started, along with being recognized on many local television programs featuring the Blues, Bernie Pearl's - Bluesbreak, local Blues Cooking show - "Cooking with Lenny", and HBO's "Women in Blues". The latest, just recorded last week "Something more than the Blues".
After touring as lead guitarist, for Joe Houston and the Defrosterz in both Canada and the United States, Jill came home to write, record and produce her own CD’s Take One, Swing it on Home & "Pet My Kitty". These are just a few of the many recordings Jill has kept herself involved in for the past 20 years. "Pet My Kitty" shows her growth as both guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. After years of accomplished recordings, performances and bands, Jill shows her stuff on "Pet My Kitty" with Speacial Guest Fred Kaplan (Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, Hollywood Fats, The Thunderbirds, etc, etc. With an incredible blend of blues, swing, rock-a-billy and alternative, Jill pleases audiences from LA to Fargo, Vancouver to Austin.
Recently performing at the Zydeco Festival in Long Beach, The Big Fish Blues Festival and the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Ride - hosted by Mickey Jones) with 2000 Lbs of Blues and Divas Do The Blues 1st, 2nd and 3rd Annual Female Blues Festivals(hosted by Lisa Cee) and recording her newset material for the upcoming CD "Hot Sauce". It's always a busy and really fun schedule!
Now booking summer West Coast tour please call 310-547-JILL. Also See www.MySpace.com/JillSharpe for further booking info.