Shirazette Tinnin is a versatile musician whose next album, Sonic Wallpaper, will highlight her individuality and spotlight her composing, including songs with her own lyrics.
She’s a jazz-trained drummer whose influences range from Art Blakey to Sheila E. It was after seeing Sheila E. on TV, at age 4, that Shirazette decided that she wanted to play drums.
During her recent Salon Session at WBGO, Shirazette talked about her love of the cajón ― a simple drum box that originated in Peru, brought by African slaves, and later made its way to Spain to become a major instrument in flamenco music. She shared some insight about the difference between the Peruvian cajon and the one favored in Spain; one is “dry,” and the other “wet.”
For the entire month of December, Shirazette will be performing with Allan Harris in Cross That River, his show at 59E59Theater.
