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Shireen Khemlani knew from as early as she could remember that she wanted to be a musician. Born in Singapore in 1969, she began learning classical piano at 4 years old. Realising after a few years that popular music was her passion and utilising her gift of perfect pitch she taught herself current pop and rock tunes by ear. She later moved on to organ (John Lord from Deep Purple being a major influence) then taught herself drums and guitar. At age 13, her parents bought her a synthesizer which she loved playing and programming. This was to begin a life-long obsession with all sorts of electronic gadgetry. After migration to Australia in 1984, she discovered the bass guitar in high school and quickly formed various bands which led to gigs around Adelaide. In 1988 Shireen began to focus solely on her bass playing and attended TAFE (Technical and Further Education) in 1989 where she completed the Certificate in Commercial Music. She then studied at the University of Adelaide to complete her Bachelor of Music (Honours) where she was the first bass player in South Australia to complete an Honours degree. She received an Australian Post Graduate Award for achieving a High Distinction in performance. Meanwhile, Shireen was also in ‘LA Maid’, a multi award winning all-female hard rock band touring the eastern states from 1991-1994 and also sharing the bill with the Zep Boys (Australia's premiere Led Zeppelin tribute band). LA Maid had a huge following and supported acts such as Metallica and Dynissty (the internationally renowned Kiss tribute band). In 1996 Shireen performed at the Sydney Opera House for the World Symposium for Choral Music with The Adelaide Connection (Elder Conservatorium jazz choir). This was followed by a US tour in 1998 with the highlight being performing at the International Association of Jazz Educators in New York. Some of Shireen’s other career highlights include performing for numerous festivals, workshops, recordings, radio and TV. She has worked with Todd McKenney (Dancing With The Stars/Boy From Oz). In 2001 she toured nationally with Eric Johnson, and Will Ray and Jerry Donahue from The Hellecasters. 2002 saw her perform with latin jazz group Marmalade Circus in Sydney’s Domain to 80,000 people. The 4-piece version, Marmalade Jam, is part of Musica Viva’s ‘In Schools’ program which has seen the group tour Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. Marmalade Trio has received airplay (pardon the pun) on Qantas in-flight radio by recording for ABC-FM. She also plays for 13 piece latin band, TNT Latino who have toured the eastern states and supported Jose Feliciano and Angelique Kidjo. As a freelance bass player, Shireen’s talent and versatility make her one of the most sought after musicians in South Australia. Some of the artists she has had the opportunity to work with include the South Australian Police Band and Army Band, Elvis To the Max, The Fabulous Singlettes, Flat On Your Bacharach, Andy Seymour, Lucifer’s Lounge, Women With Standards, Vincent’s Chair, Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges (USA), Don Burrows, Kevin Hunt, Mucho Mambo (Sydney) and John Morrison. She has also supported artists such as Julio Iglesias, Michael Crawford and Mark Murphy. Shireen brings to Unitopia not only a wealth of experience in the music industry, but a dry sense of humour, a passion for life and some of the best bass chops a band could ever wish for. Listen out for her work on the upcoming Unitopia CD due for release early next year. BACK to BIO	Shireen Khemlani Electric & Acoustic Bass/Vocals Equipment: 1973 Fender Jazz Bass, West Custom 5 string, Ashbory Bass, Steinberger Bass, Meinel Double Bass, Gallien Krueger 410RBH, Gallien Krueger 1001RB

Shireen Khemlani knew from as early as she could remember that she wanted to be a musician. Born in Singapore in 1969, she began learning classical piano at 4 years old. Realising after a few years that popular music was her passion and utilising her gift of perfect pitch she taught herself current pop and rock tunes by ear. She later moved on to organ (John Lord from Deep Purple being a major influence) then taught herself drums and guitar.

At age 13, her parents bought her a synthesizer which she loved playing and programming. This was to begin a life-long obsession with all sorts of electronic gadgetry.

After migration to Australia in 1984, she discovered the bass guitar in high school and quickly formed various bands which led to gigs around Adelaide.

In 1988 Shireen began to focus solely on her bass playing and attended TAFE (Technical and Further Education) in 1989 where she completed the Certificate in Commercial Music. She then studied at the University of Adelaide to complete her Bachelor of Music (Honours) where she was the first bass player in South Australia to complete an Honours degree. She received an Australian Post Graduate Award for achieving a High Distinction in performance.

Meanwhile, Shireen was also in ‘LA Maid’, a multi award winning all-female hard rock band touring the eastern states from 1991-1994 and also sharing the bill with the Zep Boys (Australia's premiere Led Zeppelin tribute band). LA Maid had a huge following and supported acts such as Metallica and Dynissty (the internationally renowned Kiss tribute band).

In 1996 Shireen performed at the Sydney Opera House for the World Symposium for Choral Music with The Adelaide Connection (Elder Conservatorium jazz choir). This was followed by a US tour in 1998 with the highlight being performing at the International Association of Jazz Educators in New York.

Some of Shireen’s other career highlights include performing for numerous festivals, workshops, recordings, radio and TV. She has worked with Todd McKenney (Dancing With The Stars/Boy From Oz). In 2001 she toured nationally with Eric Johnson, and Will Ray and Jerry Donahue from The Hellecasters. 2002 saw her perform with latin jazz group Marmalade Circus in Sydney’s Domain to 80,000 people. The 4-piece version, Marmalade Jam, is part of Musica Viva’s ‘In Schools’ program which has seen the group tour Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. Marmalade Trio has received airplay (pardon the pun) on Qantas in-flight radio by recording for ABC-FM. She also plays for 13 piece latin band, TNT Latino who have toured the eastern states and supported Jose Feliciano and Angelique Kidjo.

As a freelance bass player, Shireen’s talent and versatility make her one of the most sought after musicians in South Australia. Some of the artists she has had the opportunity to work with include the South Australian Police Band and Army Band, Elvis To the Max, The Fabulous Singlettes, Flat On Your Bacharach, Andy Seymour, Lucifer’s Lounge, Women With Standards, Vincent’s Chair, Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges (USA), Don Burrows, Kevin Hunt, Mucho Mambo (Sydney) and John Morrison. She has also supported artists such as Julio Iglesias, Michael Crawford and Mark Murphy.

Shireen brings to Unitopia not only a wealth of experience in the music industry, but a dry sense of humour, a passion for life and some of the best bass chops a band could ever wish for. Listen out for her work on the upcoming Unitopia CD due for release early next year.