Shelly Cowling Quintet, was formed out of a dream & a series of serendipitous encounters that culminated in a performance for a 90th birthday celebration for Shelly’s father in-law. With decades of individual musical experience, the group blended beautifully together, which led to the decision to keep playing! SCQ quickly gained recognition for their incandescent sound featuring soothing vocals, whimsical percussion, and rhythmic bass & horns on jazz standards & light pop tunes.
SCQ members include Shelly Cowling (Vocals), Jeff Carnall (Trumpet), Randy Horst (Bass), Clayton Quantz (Drums & Vibraphone), and Greg Shearon (Piano & Vocals). SCQ’s thoughtfully crafted arrangements and professional demeanor have impressed audiences and bookers alike, leading to return engagements throughout Michiana at Ironhand Wine Bar, Merriman’s Playhouse, Yesterday’s in Granger, The Pier & Back Porch Restaurant at the Oakwood Resort, South Bend, Mishawaka & Niles Parks Concert Series, and the Elkhart Jazz Festival.
Shelly Cowling
Shelly has this way with using her voice to tell the song’s story; strong & clear, yet comforting & sweet. She embraces her vocal stylings like a joyful friend and you can hear her smile in every note. She takes on the classics as well as fresh finds and makes them her own. She’s a delight to listen to!
Shelly developed a love of music & jazz from a young age, growing up in Elkhart, Indiana in a home with musical parents. Being a part of children’s choirs in church & participating in both band & choirs at Concord High School, Shelly fostered a love of studying music & joining her voice with others. At age 14, Shelly was chosen to sing in a vocal jazz group, Jazz Abroad, that toured Europe alongside a jazz band with the highlight of singing at The Montreux Jazz Festival where Shelly was a featured soloist. Studying voice at Indiana University, performing with The Singing Hoosiers, The Vocal Jazz Ensemble & working in summer stock productions, Shelly has worked to develop her style of singing a melody & delivering a lyric in a special way that draws in her audience.
Shelly & her husband, Addison, have been married for 36 years & share a love of music together. Addison enjoys playing saxophone and managing the sound/tech for SCQ. They have fun attending concerts, visiting used vinyl shops to complete their extensive collection of albums & being new grandparents!
Greg Shearon
South Bend based pianist/vocalist, Greg Shearon, started his musical journey at the age of 13 playing trumpet in Jr. High School band in Terre Haute, Indiana and began taking piano lessons a year later at the age of 14. After receiving a scholarship in both voice and piano, Greg attended college at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. While pursuing a degree in vocal performance with an emphasis in commercial music, Greg continued to develop his musical ability in both piano and voice in a variety of music genres including classical, pop, and jazz.
Greg moved to the South Bend area in 1998. Over the years, Greg has performed singing and playing piano in various restaurants and venues in the area and has shared the stage with local musicians to provide music for several fundraising and private events. Greg continues to assist leading music for several churches in the Michiana area and honored to be a part of SCQ ~Shelly Cowling Quintet.
Randy Horst
Bassist Randy Horst grew up in Denver, CO. Vocationally, he’s been a professor of Art and Graphic Design for over 30 years in Ohio, Montana, and most recently at Goshen College in Indiana. Avocationally, and equally creative and rewarding, he plays bass in Jazz groups such as the Shelly Cowling Quintet and with the Folk and Americana band the Dawg.
Clayton Quantz
Clayton Quantz is a local vibraphone and drums player who joined the Shelly Cowling Quintet when it formed. Clay graduated from Bethel College with a degree in music education and has been involved in a few local groups and music projects since. He is 29 years old, married, a new father to a beautiful baby girl as of January, and has four dogs. While he enjoys all types of music, playing the blues on vibraphone is his favorite.
Jeffrey Carnall
Mr. Jeffrey Carnall was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana and is a graduate of Northrop High School. Mr. Carnall received his undergraduate degree in Music Education with a Jazz Studies Minor from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. While at Ball State, he was awarded the Outstanding Freshman and Outstanding Senior Man while in the Ball State Marching Band. Mr. Carnall was president of the Delta Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He received his Master’s Degree from Southern Oregon University and the American Band College in Ashland, Oregon.
Mr. Carnall is currently the Band Director at Schmucker Middle School and an Assistant Director with the Penn High School Marching Band in Mishawaka, Indiana. Mr. Carnall is in his 25th year in the Penn-Harris-Madison School corporation. Under his direction, the Schmucker bands have received consistent Gold ratings at the Indiana State School Music Association’s organizational contest for Middle School. Mr. Carnall is President Elect of the Indiana Bandmasters Association
Mr. Carnall resides in Osceola, Indiana with his wife of 26 years, Dorothy, and two children Hillary (24) and Carolyn (21).
