Shea Welsh, the Baltimore born, east coast raised, Los Angeles transplant, is a guitarist, songwriter and producer. His ability to move freely through any genre keeps him at the top of many music makers lists.
He has logged in countless hours as a session player with the industries top producers such as Trickey Stewart on Raven Symone’s recordings, and Daniel Lanois with The Jane Carrey Band. As a sideman he has shared the stage with many of the world’s finest musicians including The Edge, guitarist from U2, Flea, bassist of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stewart Copeland, drummer for The Police, the bands Heatwave and Peaches and Herb, John Taylor, bassist of Duran Duran and Jerry Salas lead vocalist from El Chicano. He can also be heard on many film and television shows including, most recently, The Disney Movie “Cloud 9” and the PBS Show “Coastal California”.
Shea is also quite active in the Jazz world as well. He is a Blujazz Recording Artist and released his debut recording Arrival in 2017. Recent appearances of note include headlining at the 2016 Long Island Jazz & Blues Festival, 2014 and 2015 Panama Jazz Festivals, headlining The 2013 Miami Beach Jazz Festival, and a sold out show at the world famous Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, CA, March 2014. Shea is currently finishing writing and producing material for Michelle Coltrane’s second record and his own debut recording. Look for both to be released shortly. Shea is also sought after as a sideman in the jazz world with recent performances with Saxophonist Ronnie Laws and The Paul McDonald Big Band to name a few.
His song writing skills have landed him placements on projects as diverse as the TV show Lincoln Heights and records by the R&B group Christion.
Shea is also quite active as a producer, most recently producing The Hipnotics debut recording as well as working with Michelle Coltrane, The Jane Carrey Band and emerging artists Daniel Ye of My Serenity and Chris Monaghan.
Shea has also distinguished himself as an educator. He is a University of Southern California Thornton School of Music Studio/Jazz Guitar faculty member and has written two instructional books for The Alfred Publishing Company: Blues Guitar Lessons Volume I and II.
He holds a Bachelors Degree in Jazz and Commercial Music from Towson University in Baltimore Maryland and a Master of Music Degree in Studio/Jazz Guitar from The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.