Lullaby of birdland / George Shearing with Alyn Shipton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shearing, George.

Contributor:

Shipton, Alyn.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Shearing, George.

Pianists--Great Britain--Biography.

Pianists.

Jazz musicians--Great Britain--Biography.

Jazz musicians.

Great Britain.

Genre:

Biographies.

Autobiographies.

Physical Description:

x, 259 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Continuum, 2004.

Summary:

Pianist George Shearing is that rare thing, a European jazz musician who became a household name in the US, as a result of the "Shearing sound"--the recordings of his historic late 1940s quintet. Together with his unique "locked hands" approach to playing the piano, Shearing's quintet with guitar and vibraphone in close harmony to his own playing revolutionized small group jazz, and ensured that after seven years as Melody Maker's top British pianist, he achieved even greater success in America. His compositions have been recorded by everyone from Sarah Vaughan to Miles Davis, and his best known pieces include "Lullaby of Birdland," "She" and "Conception." His story is all the more remarkable because Shearing was born blind. His candid reminiscences include a behind the scenes experience of New York's 52nd Street in its heyday, as well as memories of a vast roll-call of professional colleagues that includes all the great names in jazz.

Contents:

The house in Arthur Street

Shillington street school

Linden lodge

Mighty like the blues

Delayed action

Swing street

September in the rain

Early travels

Lullaby of birdland

On the road

Classical concerts

Ellie

Two bodies, one musical mind

Today.

Notes:

Includes discography (pages [245]-247) and index.

ISBN:

0826460151

OCLC:

54079927