George Shearing Plays "Lullaby of Birdland"

George (now known as Sir George) Shearing (1919 - ) is a British born figure in American jazz who frequently is mentioned as one of the true innovators in all music. Although he was born blind, Shearing has successfully traversed the roles of pianist, composer, arranger with the greatest of ease. Shearing led a popular group of musicians and recorded for MGM, Capitol, Concord and Telarc for over 5 decades. As a composer, Shearing has close to 300 titles to his name. He also pioneered the use of block chords known as "the Shearing voicings" which makes use of a double melody with a fifth part that doubles on the main melodic line. His solos are heavily influenced by classical composers such as Debussy, Ravel and Erik Satie. Born blind in 1919 to a father who delivered coal and a mother who cleaned trains in the evening, young George showed his pianistic abilities early at the age of three and spent the nest four years at the Linden Lodge School for the Blind. He began playing at Mason's Arm in Lameth, local pub for 25 bob a week where he played both accordion and piano. He even joined an all-blind band and became heavily influenced by Teddy Wilson and Fats Waller. He made his first BBC appearances at this time through the help and encouragement of Leonard Feather with whom he made many recordings starting in 1937. By 1940, he joined Harry Parry's popular band and contributed mightily to Stephane Grapelli's re-emergence as a jazz violinist. Shearing also became a member of George Evans' Saxes 'n' Sevens band.