A Special Edition celebrating the centennial of pianist George Shearing 1919 - 2011

The Pianist George Shearing was born in Battersea, London in August 1919, blind from birth. He emigrated to the USA in 1947, soon establishing the so-called “Shearing Sound” with his quintet. The band scored popular hits in the late 40’s and early 50’s, unwittingly inventing a sound formula that would endear itself to commercial arrangers across the world. Of particular interest for Irish listeners is the fact that Shearing’s preferred guitarist for much of the late 20th century was Louis Stewart. Shearing was knighted for his services to music. “Not bad for a blind boy from Battersea”.

We are still seeking recordings by Irish pianists, so if you know of any, let us know. The Hot Box is released on www.jazzireland.ie every 2 weeks and can be heard on-line around the world. Tell your jazz loving friends, and talk to us direct with comments and suggestions to

Track List for The Hot Box #048 - A to Z of Jazz Piano Part 18 - George Shearing

Selected from the albums:

Paper Moon: Music of George Shearing
That Shearing Sound
George Shearing/Nils Henning Orsted Pedersen/Louis Stewart: The MPS Trio Sessions
Mel Torme: The Concord Year
At Home: George Shearing and Don Thompson
The Definitive George Shearing on Verve/Blue Note

Author: Donald Helme

Donald presented Jazz Alley, Ireland’s number one jazz show, on RTE Lyric FM from the station’s first week on air until the end of 2015. “I am not a musician, and have never pretended to be anything other than a lifetime fan with loads of experience and hopefully, good ears.”

More From The Author

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• The Hot Box #129 - Exploring More Piano 2024-10-30
• The Hot Box #130 – Remembering Russell Malone 2024-09-26