George Shearing Suffers Fall

News Story by: Unknown User

March 23, 2004 - Mr. George Shearing, the British jazz piano icon, was admitted to a New York City hospital last night after a fall sustained in his home. He is currently under observation. As a result, Shearing has had to cancel his upcoming dates in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Blind from birth, the 84-old Shearing made his mark in the American jazz scene after putting together his unique quintet comprised of piano, vibes, electric guitar, bass and drums. What became known as the "Shearing Sound" was a result of Shearing playing in the block chordal style known as "locked hands," which he developed from Milt Bruckner's style during his association with the Lionel Hampton band, and the chordal playing of Glenn Miller's sax section. Not many others experienced the widely popular success Shearing achieved after his 1947 album "So Rare" hit the shelves. Best known for his 1952 composition "Lullaby of Birdland," Shearing performed solo after breaking up his quintet and leaving Capitol records in 1976.

Incredibly, since his first recording in England in 1937, Shearing has enjoyed a lifetime of success in variety of settings where his genius lended compliment to a variety of musical talents - Stephanie Grapelli, Cal Tjader, Toots Thielsmans, Buddy DeFranco, Nancy Wilson, Nat Cole, Peggy lee, Jim Hall, Marian McPartland, Hank Jones, Mel Torme, Carmen McRae, Barry Tuckwell, Warren Vache, Ernestine Anderson, John Pizzarelli...the list goes on.

JazzReview and his fans wish George Shearing a speedy recovery and thank him for his marvelous contribution to jazz over the past 50+ years. Get well George!

For more information: http://concordrecords.com

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