Bassist Shawn Conley was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. While in high school, Shawn won a position with the Honolulu Symphony. He then attended Rice University, where he studied with Paul Ellison, receiving his Bachelor and Masters in Music Performance. While at Rice, he received a Wagoner Fellowship to study in Paris with Francois Rabbath. After one year, he was awarded both the teaching and performance diplomas. Shawn has since served as a faculty member alongside Msr Rabbath at the bi-annual Hawaii Contrabass Festival. Shawn won first place in the 2009 International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition. He was also a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz competition the same year. This past year he has played with Sting at the Apollo, as well as Peter Gabriel live on the Late Show with David Letterman. He has also performed with great musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Arturo O’Farrill, Gerald Clayton and James Carter. He regularly performs with The Hot Club of Detroit,