My 89 year old dad and I heard this song as background music at the restaurant we went to last night. He then told me the story of how he saw George Shearing play at a Manhattan club called Birdland. It was the mid Fifties and my dad was attending Fordham University for his masters degree. What a great time to be young, in NYC (from Ohio) and hearing such a wonderful talent! He went on to mention how he saw Dave Brubeck play with Paul Desmond at Red Hill Inn in Camden, New Jersey in January of 1955. Has a Polaroid with DB’s autograph on it, too! He had me look up some other musicians on my smart phone and he enjoyed sampling and reminiscing. I just love my dad. What he now lacks in short term memory, he more than makes up for in cherished long term memories. Sharp as a tack in that department!
I had the pleasure of seeing a jazz double bill of GS & DB at London's Royal Festival Hall (about 91, I think) and they did about 20 minutes together at the end. Brilliant night.
Both my dad and I were great fans of George Shearing's. In fact, he passed away just a day after Dad. I kinda like to imagine that they might have gone upstairs in the same elevator.
George Shearing was a genius pianist & was way ahead of his time. He developed his own sound with the xylophone back in the 50’s & 60’s, transforming Latin & jazz sounds. He could transpose classical music to jazz. An amazing musical talent for all time!♥️♥️♥️
George Shearing (1919-2011) was Britain's greatest ever jazz musician, but he had to go the home of jazz, the USA, to realise his full potential. So few British people know about him sadly. I love playing "Lullaby of Birdland" on the piano, just great fun to improvise on. George was blind from birth but never let it hold him back, what a star !
In fact his lack of eyesight gave him more ears …heart, soul and wicked sense of humor. My father was born 1919 too and played jazz brushes on an old army suitcase. They lived next door to each other on Wimbledon. I love played Lullaby of Birdland too! George would be tickled to know it’s abbreviation is LOL!!!!
George Shearing was one of my MAJOR influences when I started playing in college...the other two were Monty Alexander and Oscar Peterson. It's good to go back and listen because I'm hearing so much I didn't hear...many moons ago. Thank you for the post.
Huge influence for me too. Oscar was of course the ultimate but because I can’t walk in 10ths or even stretch one in the bass I chose Dudley Moore and Ramsey Lewis as easy to follow together with Shearing who wrote in clusters for my smaller hands!!!
@@AllIn1Studio Wow! Dudley Moore, now there's a name I haven't heard in decades. Yes, he had skills and thanks to his role in the movie 10, we got to hear him. Thank you for share.
I saw Mr, Shearing play live many years ago in Chicago. What a tremendous joy it was to watch him. I could see the absolute mastery that he possessed on the piano and the joy that he himself took in playing. He was a true master!
Brian Torff played with Shearing in the late '70s, into the early '80s so he predates Swainson. And in fact, after Torff, Don Thompson was Shearing's bassist (and occasional piano duettist. Can you imagine how good you must be to play 2 pianos with Shearing? And later, Thompson was the vibist when George did some quintet albums.) Don introduced Swainson to George as his replacement. Two great Canadian musicians....and add in Shearing's last guitarist, another Canadian: Reg Schwager. @@normanhall8435
Heard George Shearing in Pizza on the Park in London many years ago. Great performance. Introduced by Sheridan Morley. So sad this venue no longer exists. Best wishes from Amsterdam.
I first heard of Mr Shearing from reading On The Road by Jack Kerouac. The main character Dean Moriarty was rhapsodic in his praise of this great jazz pianist. I can't quote it here from memory but it caused me to go right out and buy my first George Shearing album. I have been a huge fan ever since. His is my go- to music whenever I'm feeling down.
In the 1980's I worked as a lounge bar pianist. One evening, whilst playing in a hotel in Windsor, a couple who had been dining there came up to the piano . The man, who i noticed was blind, said they had been enjoying my playing and that i'd played all their favourites etc. His wife then said:- ''George is a pianist'' to which he continued:- ''When I play for the BBC I always demand a Bechstein piano''. (I think that was the make!) Being rather 'slow' as i am, I still did not twig WHO he was!! They then left the restaurant to go back to their room - and that's when the penny dropped - and I played 'Lullaby of Birdland'! As i left that night, the receptionist confirmed that it was indeed George Shearing - with his wife, Ellie Geffert. I wrote a note for her to give to them next day, apologising for not realising who they were and that I felt honoured to have played in their presence. (Not sure what they actually thought of my playing...). The following week, the receptionist told me she had given them the note and that George had said how he thinks it's fun to make conversation with pianists in hotels and them not realising who he is until later. I felt rather stupid, as if i had 'fallen into the trap'!
'Beautiful story Debbie!..... I caught George Shearing with Dave Brubeck & Bill Evans at the Hollywood Bowl one summer evening 1979ish The concert was titled 'Piano Masters' 'Was an indelible evening of Jazz piano trios & All 3 George, Dave & Bill jammed together for the Grand Finale
Great story and thanks for sharing. Always loved his playing, so tasteful. I cut my teeth playing solo piano early on in my career. Playing 4 hours a night 6 days a week for a couple of years. I learnt a lot of styles and tunes. Happy memories,I think😉
The bass player is good, but the true genius here is George Shearing. He wrote Lullaby of Birdland in 1952 for the New York jazz club Birdland in minor and major keys equally. The tune went on to become THE jazz classic recorded by every great jazz musician and singer in the 50s 60s 70s and even today. He was a remarkable gentleman, born in Battersea, he was blind, and through his music joined the jazz elite on both sides of the Atlantic. He was an OBE and was knighted in 2007.
I dig this alot, it's smooth and groovy. I can't make up my mind which is better Errol Garner's or this version. They are both awesome in their own way. The bass player is fantastic too.
I was fortunate enough to see George Shearing, a number of years ago, at the Orpheum in Vancouver, with Diz Disley accompanying him. A treasured memory. The opening act was a young gal called Diana Krall - I wonder what happened to her !
It appears to me that these two really enjoy playing together. Back in the fifties/sixties there were some guys/gals that were very enjoyable to have on the same gigs.
the amazing Bach quote 2.07 - 2.13 sounds like "we are dwarfs astride the shoulders of giants. We master their wisdom and move beyond it. Due to their wisdom we grow wise and are able to say all that we say, but not because we are greater than they" and later lots of references to Bach hearable to any educated musicican... What a fantastic Musician and such a great man....
Shearing and Sarah Vaughan are neck and neck... on this one. Who was superb-er? Of course, that's a meaningless question. Since Shearing was a flawless interpreter of "Lullaby".. (and just about anything else) on piano. Though Sass did it as a vocal. But oh such magic..
Здесь нет особых альтераций,все в традиции свинга.Мне оч.нр.ход золотой секвенции по квартам вверх аж на две октавы.Эта математика породила шедевр.Или наоборот☺♪
@@terryhammond1253 well that’s completely subjective. I think Oscar Peterson and art Tatum are far better than garner. Just because you think one pianist is the best, doesn’t mean they are, and doesn’t mean someone else is wrong.
The bass player’s name is Neil Swainston. He is a gracious gentleman and a gifted and accomplished artist. His “histrionics” are the unconscious result of the physical and mental effort required to create the great solo you hear!
My 89 year old dad and I heard this song as background music at the restaurant we went to last night. He then told me the story of how he saw George Shearing play at a Manhattan club called Birdland. It was the mid Fifties and my dad was attending Fordham University for his masters degree. What a great time to be young, in NYC (from Ohio) and hearing such a wonderful talent! He went on to mention how he saw Dave Brubeck play with Paul Desmond at Red Hill Inn in Camden, New Jersey in January of 1955. Has a Polaroid with DB’s autograph on it, too! He had me look up some other musicians on my smart phone and he enjoyed sampling and reminiscing. I just love my dad. What he now lacks in short term memory, he more than makes up for in cherished long term memories. Sharp as a tack in that department!
I had the pleasure of seeing a jazz double bill of GS & DB at London's Royal Festival Hall (about 91, I think) and they did about 20 minutes together at the end. Brilliant night.
❤️🙏
All the big shots played at the birdland. Lovely place that is.
Bless you and your Dad
Both my dad and I were great fans of George Shearing's. In fact, he passed away just a day after Dad. I kinda like to imagine that they might have gone upstairs in the same elevator.
:)
Beautiful. May your father rest in peace
Things happen just happen or more
That’s very poetic, and very sad. Condolences
💚
George Shearing was a genius pianist & was way ahead of his time. He developed his own sound with the xylophone back in the 50’s & 60’s, transforming Latin & jazz sounds. He could transpose classical music to jazz. An amazing musical talent for all time!♥️♥️♥️
Vibraphone, not xylophone.
Back in the fifties & sixties Shearing was constantly on the radio. We all knew of his music and admired his playing and choice of tunes.
@@georgemarsh6303
The way these guys can swing so hard without a drummer. Just Brilliant!!
George Shearing (1919-2011) was Britain's greatest ever jazz musician, but he had to go the home of jazz, the USA, to realise his full potential. So few British people know about him sadly. I love playing "Lullaby of Birdland" on the piano, just great fun to improvise on. George was blind from birth but never let it hold him back, what a star !
In fact his lack of eyesight gave him more ears …heart, soul and wicked sense of humor. My father was born 1919 too and played jazz brushes on an old army suitcase. They lived next door to each other on Wimbledon. I love played Lullaby of Birdland too! George would be tickled to know it’s abbreviation is LOL!!!!
George Shearing was one of my MAJOR influences when I started playing in college...the other two were Monty Alexander and Oscar Peterson. It's good to go back and listen because I'm hearing so much I didn't hear...many moons ago. Thank you for the post.
This for me is what elegant jazz is all about. Such a great pleasure to listen to and enjoy.
Huge influence for me too. Oscar was of course the ultimate but because I can’t walk in 10ths or even stretch one in the bass I chose Dudley Moore and Ramsey Lewis as easy to follow together with Shearing who wrote in clusters for my smaller hands!!!
@@AllIn1Studio Wow! Dudley Moore, now there's a name I haven't heard in decades. Yes, he had skills and thanks to his role in the movie 10, we got to hear him. Thank you for share.
Amazing bass.
I saw Mr, Shearing play live many years ago in Chicago. What a tremendous joy it was to watch him. I could see the absolute mastery that he possessed on the piano and the joy that he himself took in playing. He was a true master!
Yup. When I was coming up in the 50s, Andre Previn, Oscar Peterson and George were my guys; listen to, learn from.
I just started listening to George Shearing - Wow ! Awesome Bass player too
In 2:06 the comping is the Bach’s two violins concerto in D minor.
This bassplayer is a GENIUS!
No kidding just a joy to watch and listen to.
Neil is great and so was Brian Torff later on.
Brian Torff played with Shearing in the late '70s, into the early '80s so he predates Swainson. And in fact, after Torff, Don Thompson was Shearing's bassist (and occasional piano duettist. Can you imagine how good you must be to play 2 pianos with Shearing? And later, Thompson was the vibist when George did some quintet albums.) Don introduced Swainson to George as his replacement. Two great Canadian musicians....and add in Shearing's last guitarist, another Canadian: Reg Schwager. @@normanhall8435
I agree..so much more inventive than most I’ve heard.
Heard George Shearing in Pizza on the Park in London many years ago. Great performance. Introduced by Sheridan Morley. So sad this venue no longer exists. Best wishes from Amsterdam.
I used to love Pizza on the Park too! Much missed....
Just going back in time and listening to the greats. It's worth the journey. Top-notch playing from George and Neil.
Shearing plays with such apparent ease! Complete economy of motion and total control of the instrument. A joy to watch and hear.
I first heard of Mr Shearing from reading On The Road by Jack Kerouac. The main character Dean Moriarty was rhapsodic in his praise of this great jazz pianist. I can't quote it here from memory but it caused me to go right out and buy my first George Shearing album. I have been a huge fan ever since. His is my go- to music whenever I'm feeling down.
I searched this while reading the book.
Bravo George - he was the first jazz pianist I listened to when I was starting to study jazz in the mid-50s.
This was my favorite song when it came out. I want to make it clear that I was a toddler at the time. 👶
It don't get any better than this, a true artist and a gent
Only one Shearing...and one sound like his. The best.
I was so blest to grow up with two parents involved in music...and George Shearing was played often in our house.
You look like Tony Winston in your picture.
@@luxolontamo4440 I'm jealous. George Shearing played at your house!!!!!!!! He's one of my first jam idols.
@@imbees2 “was played often” which I took to mean on a record player.
I like the musical quotation from Bach's double violin concerto in D minor.
One of the best ever. He show you the melody even during solos.
Just fantastikkkkkk!
Beautiful - and Shearing's sound is instantly recognisable and unique.
yasssss, play it now George Shearing. Loving George Shearing since the 50s when I was a child. And love his to this day.
Both in perfect harmony SUPERB. Thank you.
In the states since 1947 and he never lost his accent. Good on yer, George!
Great tune from a great performer and composer
Совершенно потрясающая мелодия! С юности и до сих пор восторг! ❤❤❤
I am picking my jaw from upon the floor. Thank you for sharing this blessing.🌸🕊❤️
😂😂😂 Understood!
❤😊 SENSATIONAL BEAUTIFUL HEAVENLY AWESOME AMAZING WONDERFUL PHENOMENAL EXTRAORDINARY!!!!!!!❤.
Most magnificent jazz piano artist❣️❣️❣️was a part of my growing upbringing. So much talent, such genius!!!♥️♥️♥️
Amazing how NO ONE realizes how GOOD is the bass player. Amazing really.
Well, not quite. Swainson has great chops, and some impressive creds...
Bernard Dionne first thing I did was find out who Neil Swainson was!
No, it was Swainson. Goode played with Shearing back in '48. Swanson is good, but not Goode.
yes...and the piano player is quite good too
the camera man probably does ^^
I saw GS at the London House in Chicago in the 1970s. WOW!!!
Beautiful playing - kudos to Neil Swainson - bass too.
FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO NICE !!!!!!!!! SO BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!ENJOY!!!!BRAVO MAESTRO !!!!! THANKS!!!
In the 1980's I worked as a lounge bar pianist. One evening, whilst playing in a hotel in Windsor, a couple who had been dining there came up to the piano . The man, who i noticed was blind, said they had been enjoying my playing and that i'd played all their favourites etc. His wife then said:- ''George is a pianist'' to which he continued:- ''When I play for the BBC I always demand a Bechstein piano''. (I think that was the make!) Being rather 'slow' as i am, I still did not twig WHO he was!! They then left the restaurant to go back to their room - and that's when the penny dropped - and I played 'Lullaby of Birdland'! As i left that night, the receptionist confirmed that it was indeed George Shearing - with his wife, Ellie Geffert.
I wrote a note for her to give to them next day, apologising for not realising who they were and that I felt honoured to have played in their presence. (Not sure what they actually thought of my playing...). The following week, the receptionist told me she had given them the note and that George had said how he thinks it's fun to make conversation with pianists in hotels and them not realising who he is until later. I felt rather stupid, as if i had 'fallen into the trap'!
Thank you.
'Beautiful story Debbie!..... I caught George Shearing with Dave Brubeck & Bill Evans at the Hollywood Bowl one summer evening 1979ish The concert was titled 'Piano Masters' 'Was an indelible evening of Jazz piano trios & All 3 George, Dave & Bill jammed together for the Grand Finale
Shearing corresponded with my mother his musical ideas...she was a pianist also. (I am a drummer)- Bob Boney
Great story and thanks for sharing. Always loved his playing, so tasteful. I cut my teeth playing solo piano early on in my career. Playing 4 hours a night 6 days a week for a couple of years. I learnt a lot of styles and tunes. Happy memories,I think😉
@@JJamJ Thank you, Duke, for your reply!
I will always want to hear you and Neil play Lullaby of Birdland, Georgie. Don't you worry one bit.
Bella música que nunca pasará de moda!!!... 👍👍
Reading 'On the Road' again George Shearing at Birdland, great clip.
Such a light touch. So cool.
A pleasure to listen to..Anytime...!!!!
George is an extension of the piano. ❤
Love this song!
The bass player is good, but the true genius here is George Shearing. He wrote Lullaby of Birdland in 1952 for the New York jazz club Birdland in minor and major keys equally. The tune went on to become THE jazz classic recorded by every great jazz musician and singer in the 50s 60s 70s and even today. He was a remarkable gentleman, born in Battersea, he was blind, and through his music joined the jazz elite on both sides of the Atlantic. He was an OBE and was knighted in 2007.
Dios ha bendecido a estos músicos
El contrabajo esta en los cielos de ka belleza
Que maravilla!!
両奏者の指が凄くカッコイイ🤚👐
演奏もビューティフォ〜💃🎵
どうもありがとうございます🙇🎵
ありがとう。こんな素晴らしいひと時を。
Wait For It - at 3:44 the melding is extraordinary
I true great of the piano 🎹 and one of my inspirations , bless you Mr shearing .👍
at 2.04 a line is pulled almost note for note from the opening line of Bach's double violin concerto, very cool implementation
and he closes with that clip from Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue!
I find his styles are a fusion and merged with a wider look at the borders and boundaries playing the edge
I love it, beautiful!
Cool, first time I've seen Sir George play. I sing and play this on guitar. It's taken me a few years to get it down : )
I dig this alot, it's smooth and groovy. I can't make up my mind which is better Errol Garner's or this version. They are both awesome in their own way. The bass player is fantastic too.
have you listened to the andrea motis, joan chamorro quintet?
George Shearing wrote it, in case you were wondering.
@@MNBluestater oh didn't know that. George Shearing is awesome!
@@MNBluestater was going to tell him, glad you did.
Good music 🎵
Боже люди скажите !умели же чувствовать любить творить!Была же доброта в сердце!подскажите в 2023году неужели доброта и простота сердца исчезли?
Brilliant
Around about 2.20 he goes off on one and it's just as if he was playing like he did when I first heard this genius in 1950.
私がgeorge shearingを知ったのは、当時米軍の進駐軍向けの極東放送で流れていたLullby of birdlandでした。その時はなんて心地よい曲なんだろうと聴いていましたが、その時は誰だろう、何て曲なんだろうと聴いていましたが、当時は美空ひばり、春日八郎のおとみさん程度しか知らなかったので、後でgeorge shearing のLullby of birdland と分かり、それ以来jazzにはまり今まで沢山のミュウジシャンを聴いてきましたが、最後にはgeorge shearingに、たどりつき、jazz倶楽部に入り、ライブハウスに足をはこびjazz menにリクエストしている次第です。
GRACIAS POR MANDARME LINDA MUSICA
I was fortunate enough to see George Shearing, a number of years ago, at the Orpheum in Vancouver, with Diz Disley accompanying him. A treasured memory. The opening act was a young gal called Diana Krall - I wonder what happened to her !
I am sure that You know now, just what happened to Diana Krall !!!
George owns that tune. Much more than anyone. Kent Vogel A.S.C.A.P
musica immortale da me ascoltata nell'agosto 1958 a c
suonata da George
It appears to me that these two really enjoy playing together. Back in the fifties/sixties there were some guys/gals that were very enjoyable to have on the same gigs.
Out of this World
Woooow! no lo conocía Ésto es nuevo para mí Gracias por compartir y por la biografía ese piano tiene mucho Furor 🎹🔥💣🔥😍🙏🏿
동시에 한 8개음 치는데 어떻게 주선율 저래 잘들리지......터치진짜 갑👍
The best forever big compouser on the wold.👋👋👋👋👋👍
Block chords like I love !
Superlativo!!
K\Love George Shearing.
I'm not sure if it gets any better than this.
Чудесная музыкв❤
Phenomenal respect they had for one another the. Meshed sharing one brain
2:08 Bach - Concerto for two violins in D minor
making the bass player suffer.. but then he redeems himself
Great playing
Did anybody notice Bach at 2:06 ?
Yup. Double Violin Concerto. Right?
Right ! And also Gershwin ("Rhapsody in Blue") at the end, in the last seconds of the performance (minute 6:48).
Yes
Right.
I love it when musicians quote
2:06 BACH Shearing.
the amazing Bach quote 2.07 - 2.13 sounds like "we are dwarfs astride the shoulders of giants. We master their wisdom and move beyond it. Due to their wisdom we grow wise and are able to say all that we say, but not because we are greater than they" and later lots of references to Bach hearable to any educated musicican... What a fantastic Musician and such a great man....
What did he quote ?
@@e.d.1642 Bwv 10431 part initial theme notes
Wow!
that Bach quote blew my mind
Pretty hard to beat George and Mel in Wellington, New Zealand in 1990ish?
❤️
Oups sorry my bad i forgot to mention Mista double blass
god at the piano.
Buenisimo
👍👍👍
Sal and Dean guided me here...
The music
Shearing and Sarah Vaughan are neck and neck... on this one. Who was superb-er? Of course, that's a meaningless question. Since Shearing was a flawless interpreter of "Lullaby".. (and just about anything else) on piano. Though Sass did it as a vocal. But oh such magic..
Ah, but George wrote it also!
@@t.p.mckenna Aha. Then that's the enchilada...best from a COV shutdown French Quarter in NOLA, Apr 2020.
You need to credit the bassist also and mention his name when you upload such videos.
I just checked out Bud doing it in 5 flats - ?
That ending was far out, man.
William Estep a quote to Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin
jeez
Modified Basie ending!
I don’t have the memory to play that🍺
Can I have the silent please on this computer I want the sound of the music don’t understand English
I would help you but I don't understand you.
@@gabrielzygel1539 Yeah what nonsense
I will dedicate the rest of my life to deciphering what this comment means
Альтерация в гармонии Ширинга гармонична его музыкальному мышлению.
Здесь нет особых альтераций,все в традиции свинга.Мне оч.нр.ход золотой секвенции по квартам вверх аж на две октавы.Эта математика породила шедевр.Или наоборот☺♪
Somebody listened how's Bach is playing behind them??? Is like if shearing was the fatha
…piano sounds like a million dollars…….awwwwww but no drummer with soft brushes,?
Erroll Garner has the best version ever.
George wrote the song.
No-one can top Garner...No-one!
P. S. He wrote MISTY. 🎹
@@terryhammond1253 well that’s completely subjective. I think Oscar Peterson and art Tatum are far better than garner. Just because you think one pianist is the best, doesn’t mean they are, and doesn’t mean someone else is wrong.
Let's check it. Errol was also a king. Just listening to The Autumn Leaves! ❤
Don Imus (on bass) histrionics remind me of the histrionics of Keith Jarrett. Hey Dude: It's not about you, its about the music!
I guess from Concert attendance one can assume people are pretty much happy with the music.
The bass player’s name is Neil Swainston. He is a gracious gentleman and a gifted and accomplished artist. His “histrionics” are the unconscious result of the physical and mental effort required to create the great solo you hear!
@@glennhenrich992 You are so right!
@@glennhenrich992 couldn't have said it better! A wonderful musician playing with true emotion!
Please post some of YOUR bass playing. I'll wait....