Sharpe was first bought to prominence by tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp and drummer Art Blakey, but is best known for his longtime association with pianist McCoy Tyner from 1980 to 2003.

His mother, Evelyn, was a pianist and choir director in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and she gave lessons to Sharpe, as well as to his seven other siblings.

He played the double and electric bass in gospel, funk, rock groups, jazz band and orchestra.

[7] His composition "January in Brazil" is on McCoy Tyner's Grammy Award-winning big band album "Journey".

[citation needed] With McCoy Tyner With Yusef Lateef With Archie Shepp With Frank Morgan With John Blake With David Matthews With Steve Grossman With Vacca/Moran With Jeri Brown With Marc Puricelli With Chico Freeman