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Sharon Bourbonnais

“Party Party Dance Dance, that’s what my Momma say. Get your party on, chase your blues away.”

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Sharon Bourbonnais (Bour-Bo-nay) creates her style of music directly from her life experiences; in reality, her imagination, her past, present, or hopeful future, gathered from all the nuances resonating from her world. The Dallas-born and bred Austin Texas artist has absorbed a myriad of influences that manifest as a compound of blues, country, rock, and jazz. Her latest album, Party Party Dance Dance, is like a report card of efforts to find her best life while enduring its ups and downs. Party Party Dance Dance was an exact quote from Sharon’s mother as they headed to South Padre to relax on the beach during the day and party all night. “She was a beautiful woman and a massive influence in my life.”  Party Party Dance Dance was released locally on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, with a show at The Backstage. Special guests included Chris Gage, Christine Albert, Leeann Atherton, Rick Del Castillo, and Tijuana Trainwreck of  Shinyribs fame. The show was emceed by Roger Polson, formerly with SUN Radio and now with KWVH Wimberley Valley Radio. Sharon will release Party Party Dance Dance nationally on Friday, November 11, 2022.

Sharon decided, as she says in one of her more popular songs for her newest project, to “up her game.” She secured Austin music legend Chris Gage to helm her new recording Party Party Dance Dance. Gage lends his guitar, Hammond organ, and accordion prowess, and his marvelous another half, Christine Albert, provides sparkling harmonies. The influences of New Orleans and the South Texas border figure prominently in Sharon’s music. The album features guest appearances by Rick Del Castillo, the Tijuana Trainwreck Horns (Mark Wilson and Tiger Daniel Anaya), Paul Klemperer, Beth Galiger, Jay Stiles, and Leeann Atherton. The record has bawdy, steamy, upbeat songs and more relatable introspective tunes. Each speaks to where her heart is and where she wishes it was. “My environment has everything to do with what I am creating. I write songs for specific events, celebrations, or to simply say what I am feeling, seeing, or living in a particular moment. I recently wrote a song about moving to Dripping Springs, encapsulating in 3 verses and a chorus what was going on right then, like a musical photograph or snapshot in time.”

Growing up in Dallas, her influences included Willie, Waylon, and the boys, Leon Russel, Elton John, Billy Joel, and eventually Marcia Ball. Sharon’s Grandmother, mother, and aunt played the piano. Her father took her to the symphony and opera, kicking and screaming as a young girl. Sharon started playing piano at an early age and eventually wound-up studying music composition at the University of Texas in Austin. She performed in bands and combos in Austin and South Padre Island, where she lived for several years. Fortune led her to relocate to the Hawaiian island of Oahu, where she spent a decade writing and exploring her music, which was jazz-laced. When Sharon returned to Austin, she formed a combo called Tres Bourbonnais and released her solo debut CD under the same name titled Rêves. Tres Bourbonnais began playing venues throughout Austin and eventually secured residencies in legendary spots like The Driskill Hotel Bar and The Elephant Room. She rebranded to her name Sharon Bourbonnais and toured throughout Texas, the Midwest, and Europe. She followed up with her next CD, A Girl’s Gotta Play, then by a quietly released CD, Generations.

“My music lives to touch hearts, funny bones, spark imagination, peaceful action, thoughtful reflection, and appreciation for all the moods, changes, ups and downs of our beautiful, sometimes tragic lives. I have an innate need to create; if I’m not doing something positive, creative, helping others, or simply shining light, that time/the world is passing by me. I want to leave the world better than when I arrived. I think this album fits the bill and expresses my quirky sense of humor, compassion for the human spirit, universal desire for companionship, and my need to laugh, cry and dance. I feel this album reflects my true essence.” 

Upcoming shows with Shiny Ribs:

Saturday, November 5, 2022 - Last Concert Cafe, Houston

Previous Review:

“The leader of the band Tres Bourbonnais perhaps walks in the footsteps of longtime Austin favorite Marcia Ball, mixing swampy blues and rootsy jazz with her piano playing and sassy vocals front and center. Tight rhythms and occasional blasts of horns spice up Bourbonnais’ good-time groove on these 10 tracks."

-Peter Blackstock, Austin American Statesman

Links to Sharon’s music and other info: