Died On This Date (February 14, 2011) George Shearing / Popular Jazz Pianist and Composer

George Shearing
August 13, 1919 – February 14, 2011

George Shearing was a popular and influential jazz pianist and composer who could claim over 300 pieces as his own.  Born blind in London, Shearing spent his early professional career playing in an all-blind band – he started playing the piano at just three years old.  During his late 20s, Shearing moved to the United States where he continued to master his complex style of swing, bop and bebop.  In 1949, he formed the George Shearing Quintet and went on to record for such labels as Verve, Capitol, and MGM.  His hits included “Lullaby Of Birdland” and “September In The Rain.”    Over the years he’s collaborated with the likes of Oscar Pettiford, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, and Mel Torme.  In 2007, he was knighted – Officer of the Order of the British Empire – for his contributions to music.  George Shearing died of heart failure on February 14, 2011.  He was 91.

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The Definitive George Shearing - George Shearing

Died On This Date (August 8, 1975) Cannonball Adderley / Jazz Great

Julian “Cannonball” Adderley
September 15, 1928 – August 8, 1975

Somewhat of a child prodigy, Cannonball Adderley was already turning heads with his sax playing while still a teenager in Tallahassee, Florida.  He along with his brother, Nat Adderley was even competent enough to sit in with Ray Charles as far back as the early ’40s.  After relocating to New York City in the mid ’50s, Adderley was well on his way to becoming one of jazz’s most revered alto saxophonists.  Throughout his career he performed or recorded with such legends as Oscar Pettiford, Miles Davis, Yusuf Lateef and Bill Evans.  Adderley also had a brief career as an actor, first performing with his band in Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty For Me, and later acting opposite David Carradine in an episode of Kung Fu.   On August 8, 1975, Cannonball Adderley died of a stroke at the age of 46.

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Somethin' Else (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition Remastered) - Cannonball Adderley

Died On This Date (January 13, 2010) Ed Thigpen / Respected Jazz Drummer

Ed Thigpen
December 28, 1930 – January 13, 2010

Ed Thigpen was a jazz drummer who was part of the Oscar Peterson Trio from 1959 to 1965.   Over the course of his career he played with a who’s who of mid-century jazz greats including Dinah Washington, Bud Powell, Oscar Pettiford, and Ella Fitzgerald.  He also released several critically praised albums of his own .  Ed Thigpen was 79 when he passed away on January 13, 2010.

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Mr. Taste - Ed Thigpen Trio

Died On This Date (September 8, 1960) Oscar Pettiford / Jazz Great

Oscar Pettiford
September 30, 1922 – September 8, 1960

PettifordOscar Pettiford was  a virtuoso jazz double bassist and cellist who made his mark during the ’40s and ’50s.  With his mother being Choctaw and his father half Cherokee and half African American, Pettiford was likely the most famous Native American jazz musician in history.  Although most never new of his Native American lineage.  Pettiford grew up playing in the family band, first on piano, and then switching to double bass at the age of 14.  Pettiford was one of the forefathers of the be bop movement and over the course of this career worked with the likes of Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Coleman Hawkins.  He is also credited for having discovered Cannonball Adderley.  Oscar Pettiford passed away on September 8, 1960.

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Oscar Pettiford