Shari Puorto Band

Shari Puorto
Singer/Songwriter/Performer
Endorsement: AKG/Harmon, Anvil/Calzone Cases

Shari Puorto Band recently welcomed Grammy award nominee Doug Woolverton to her heavy hitter band on bass and trumpet!

Shari Puorto, (Just off the Legendary Blues Cruise #34) is an American award-winning Roots/Rock/Blues singer, songwriter and performer originally from Orange, CT currently residing in Los Angeles. Shari is the Real Deal. Her live performance will captivate you as she does each and every show. From her vocal tone and controlled natural vocal ability to her infectious stage presence. Her music and show are raw, real, and authentic. Shari has been known to say, “During our shows, I take the audience by the hand and we push thru the ups and downs of all songs then we come thru the other side transformed!” Shari will always try to get to the heart of things whether she’s performing with her band in a club, festival, or recording.

“Shari has always provided an honest and powerful musical experience that strikes at the core of what music is all about. Great energy, original material, a true group performance, and a talent that reaches off the stage to touch the audience." Joe Wagoner AKG/Harmon.

Shari constantly performs all over California across the U.S and abroad. She has the sensibility of an old soul reborn and is undeniably passionate. She possesses a deeply expressive and soulful voice; one that catches you off guard. She is a powerful and dynamic live performer who quickly and quite naturally connects with her audience. Her infectious enthusiasm overcomes you, you have no choice but to get pulled in.

Shari keeps herself growing by keeping herself busy with multiple music projects. Not only her own, but she is constantly working with multiple writing partners. in January, 2020 Shari completed writing all songs and script for a musical with legendary Don Randi and John DePatie. In Feb, 2020 Shari was picked out of hundreds of candidates and booked a principal role as a singer/actor in a short film/music video for the Killers new single release, “Blowback” thru Island Records. ‘Blowback’ single will appear on The Killers 2020 release, Imploding the Mirage”. Shari is also working with Doug Woolverton creating a project for your children. These details to be announced soon! Shari also hopes to announce her 6th release in the coming months!

June 21, 2018: Little Lightning Productions is pleased to announce, American Blues/Rock/Roots singer, songwriter and performer Shari Puorto and her band to release new Album, 'Live at Bogies' & Tour, 2018. Making their way across the US hitting major areas and regions starting in Southern California, Northern California, Nashville, St. Louis, The South, all the way to New England and down thru the state of Florida. And this band is just getting started! The new album will be supported by a national radio campaign, and tour that kicks off at BB, Jazz, Blues & Soups in St. Louis, MO.

Professor Johnny P's Juke Joint: "Let me say this as plainly as I can. I think that Shari Puorto could be the next big breakout singer. She’s got all the tools – a great voice, a top notch band, and superb writing skills. This latest album, Live At Bogies, shows that she can work a crowd extremely well and her song selection is quite moving."

In Shari’s albums and her live shows she (and her band) are known for their passionate, driven style. This powerhouse vocalist consistently delivers standout performances - both live and in the studio! Now she finally has a Live CD to prove it! "Live at Bogie’s” is Shari’s 5th Album release, but her 1st Live release. 'Live at Bogie’s' serves you a blistering mix of Blues Rock, Contemporary Blues, and American roots music, mostly consisting of her original music, keeping it true and raw to their sound. This energetic Live CD consists of 8 originals and 4 covers. Live at Bogie’s showcases Shari’s memorable originals like, It’s a Damn Shame, Home of the Blues, Outta My Mind, 6 Months Sober, Sugar Daddy, All About You, All I Want is You, while also performing fan favorites such as, Steve Winwoods, ‘Can’t Find My Way Home’, Randy Newman’s ‘Guilty’, Savoy Brown’s ‘I’m Tired’ and Candi Stanton’s ‘Evidence’. These covers also demonstrate Shari and her bands interpretive skills.

“Shari’s a road warrior touring non-stop across the USA and now, after some fine studio releases, those of us unlucky enough not to see her perform live can get a taste of the Shari Puorto live experience in full flight on a fantastic live album. Ms Puorto is a fabulous singer, right up there with Bonnie Bramlett in my pantheon of soulful blues singers and backed by a great band this record shows just how good she is. The 12 tracks on "Live at Bogies" are a testament to her blues journey so far with stand out numbers like 'Six Months Sober' and 'All I Want Is You' making you instantly reach for the repeat button. Fans will love it, newbies need to hear it. Blues like it should be." CD review, Stuart Hamilton: Blues Matters! & The Rocker, UK - May 16, 2018

“I’m constantly challenging myself both onstage and off-stage because that’s how you grow and how you realize what works!” Shari says. Shari is already working on songs for her 5th Studio release (6th CD release) to come out later in 2018 or early 2019. After launching her recording career in early 2000. Since then, the charismatic young singer-songwriter has earned a reputation as a powerful live performer and songwriter, while releasing a series of albums that have shown her diverse creative attitude consistently taking her in new and exciting musical directions.

Live at Bogie’s is a project Shari has been wanting to release to her fans for many years. Shari’s studio releases are top-notch and are always true to her sound and ability. But they don’t compare to her live performances or capture the raw energy, emotion and passion you will see and hear at her shows. We believe this 12-song set “showcases” how Shari & her band hit you where it counts with her originals and chosen covers.

“Recording in the studio is fun and I love the entire process!” Puorto says. “But there’s nothing like performing live. And when you form a connection with the band and the audience; nothing compares”.

Some of Shari’s Awards/Accolades:
- Winner, Best Live CD for "Live at Bogie's". Awarded by, LA Music Critic 2018/2019
- First Round Grammy Ballot in 3 categories and up for nomination for the 59th (2017) Grammy's in the following categories: Americana: Album: MY Obsession, Song performance: "Sugar Daddy", Song written: ”Turned to Stone".
- Nov, 2017, Shari placed 2nd in the International Blues Challenge at the Southern California Blues Society Chapter.
- February, 2018: Selected and Featured during radio segment, Unsigned Blues Artist on KJAZZ, 88.1FM with the Wagman.
- Winner for her song 'Free' in the Americana Blues, Roots song of the year category @ the 2011 L.A. Music Awards
- Won Best Female vocalist at the 2010 South Bay Music Awards, among other notable nominations.

Shari & her band recorded Live at Bogie’s in Westlake, CA with engineer, Mike Sutherland, Mixing and Mastering by David Carey, at Rock Productions/Total Access with whom she worked previously on releases such as, My Obsession (Producer, Tony Braunagel), Real, and Down the Road.

“Shari’s strong vocal delivery reflects a one of a kind and unique as they come. This

time there will be no “she sounds like” or “has the style of” or any other comparisons to other artists. There is no shame in being or sounding like, Shari Puorto. She is a world-class vocalist with a voice like no other and as far as I’m concerned, other artists should be compared to her not the other way around. “I haven’t seen this much soul in a white chick since....well, ever!” MusicUCanSee, Casey Reagan –Writer

Shari is one of the hardest working musicians out there today. She is constantly stretching her boundaries with songwriting and performing. “Music is everything to me. I’ve never felt more myself when on stage. It’s Home to me. I couldn’t imagine life without performing, writing songs, and touring as much as possible. I only hope to keep spreading our sound and music from West to East and beyond”, Shari says. And I will continue to work hard to reach the goals I have set for myself and the music.

October 16, 2015: Shari released her 4th studio album, MY Obsession, since her first release in 2005. MY Obsession produced by, Tony Braunagel and co produced by, Shari Puorto attracted notable musicians such as, Mike Finnigan, Johnny Lee Schell, Bob Glaub, Barry Goldberg, Jimmy Vivino, Steve Fister, Jim Pugh, Raymon Yslas, Johnny Hawthorn, Deb Ryder and Tony Braunagel on drums and...more! With the help from Blind Raccoon in Memphis (Betsie Brown), MY Obsession held strong on the following 'Music Roots Reports" over SEVERAL months.

Some of the categories are as follows:

- Top 50 Blues Album, Top 50 Blues Contemporary Album, Blues Song: Home of the Blues & Sugar Daddy), Top 50 California Song Chart (Home of the Blues), Contemporary Blues Song (MY Obsession), Top 50 California Album.
- Airing over 200 Radio stations across the US and abroad, you are guaranteed to hear one of Shari’s tracks spinning! Again, Thanks Betsie!

Blues Matters! & The Rocker, Stuart Hamilton – Writer. “vocally Ms Puorto is as good as she’s ever been, heading off into areas the likes of Bonnie Bramlett reached at her peak, and you’d be hard pressed to hear a better soulful blues singer on the circuit today. She is mining that seventies Muscle Shoals vibe to a great effect.”

Shari’s musical interest began early on being influenced by her father’s Classic Rock and Rock bands from The Rolling Stones to the Doobie Brothers to Eric Clapton to old-school Blues. On her own she became addicted to the sounds and soul of Etta James, the Allman Brothers, Susan Tedeschi, Bonnie Raitt, and various R&B artists. Shari is best known as a passionate and bold performer. She has been compared to the likes of Janis Joplin (due to her performances), Bonnie Raitt, and Bonnie Bramlet, due to vocal tone / ability and control.

“It’s my belief that women singers will be compared to her. Her chops are silky smooth, or gritty depending on the song; but they are always filled with soul. Her emotion is flat out in your face and there may be precious few that can do it better.” John Porter, Time for the Blues

With her Blues/Rock Band backing her you’ll see and feel a band combining today’s Modern Blues/Rock approach with yesteryears traditional Blues. Their connection with the audience and their performance onstage is infectious.

As Shari continues to move forward in her career she has received notable recognition from peers and Artists around the globe. She has been asked to either perform with them or be their supporting act. Artists and bands such as, Tommy Castro, Barry Goldberg, Chicago Blues Reunion, Jimmy Vivino, Robert Randolph, Slash, Robin Trower, Johnny Winter, Ronnie Montrose, Tower of Power, Seymour Duncan, Tab Benoit, Joe Bonamassa, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Dave Mason, Andy Aledort, Robben Ford, Walter Trout, Coco Montoya, among others.

Shari has also performed on many albums lending her lead vocals and backing vocals. One of late being the double album dedicated to the memory of Bugs Henderson, “The Kind of Clubs” Shari sang a duet with Jimmy Vivino and backing band consisted of, Chuck Kavooras, Steve Ferrone, Bill Mumy, Kenny Lee Lewis, & Jimmy Vivino. Shari also lent backing vocals to “Cowboy” sung by, Lou Diamond Phillips.

In recent past, Shari also recorded with Barry Goldberg a song written by the late, Gerry Goffin.

In 2013 & 2014, Shari was asked to perform 2 years in a row at the Seymour Duncan “Notes for Notes” benefit singing along side and on stage with, Robert Randolph, Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Robben Ford, Jimmy Vivino, Don Felder, Alan Parsons, Rich Robinson, and many others! Shari’s getting noticed!

“Recording in the studio is fun and I love the entire process!” Puorto says. “But there’s nothing like performing live. And when you have the connection with the band and the audience; nothing compares. I feel blessed.”

Shari is a currently a proud member and voting member of The Recording Academy and The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN.