Isaiah Sharkey

Isaiah Sharkey

Isaiah Sharkey is a Chicago-born singer, guitarist and songwriter whose work draws on soul, R&B, gospel, jazz, blues, rock and funk. He grows up in Cabrini-Green and comes from a musical household. At the age of four he is introduced to music, and after deciding he wants to play guitar he asks his parents for one. He begins learning under the guidance of his father, Michael Sharkey.

Early development

Sharkey learns a wide range of styles through church and family music-making, moving from gospel into jazz, R&B, blues, rock and funk. He gains attention in the Chicago area as a young player, performs in church concerts, and takes part in local jazz club jam sessions. At 14, he records Skyliner with his father and brothers. The album includes covers and transcriptions associated with guitarists such as Wes Montgomery and George Benson.

Session work and collaborations

He goes on to work as a sideman for gospel artists including Smokie Norful, Donald Lawrence and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. He also tours as lead guitarist with Ronald Isley and records two albums with him. From 2009, he works with D'Angelo on Black Messiah, which wins the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and brings Sharkey his first Grammy credit. He also records, tours and works with a long list of other artists, including Patti LaBelle, Christopher Martin of Coldplay, Paul Simon, Corinne Bailey Rae, Mike Posner, Keith Urban, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, Lalah Hathaway, Raphael Saadiq, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Dave and the Drumhedz, Regina Bell, Ruben Studdard, Lupe Fiasco, Kelly Price, Faith Evans, Rance Allen, The Winans and The Clark Sisters.

Solo work and groups

Sharkey has a debut solo album, Love.Life.Live, which appears in 2017. He is also associated with The Vanguard and Isaiah Sharkey and the Family Tree.

Style

His music brings together his background in rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues and funk, with soul as a central part of his sound.