Where is George Shearing now? Salary, Height, Net Worth, Wedding



Known for movies



George Shearing, OBE (13 August 1919 – 14 February 2011) was a British jazz pianist who achieved great popularity in the United States with his small group recordings. Shearing was born in Battersea, London, to working-class parents of limited means. His mother, who had been a singer in her youth, taught him to play the piano. His father, a coal deliveryman, played the piano for entertainment in the family home. When he was four years old, Shearing fell out of bed and suffered a concussion that resulted in his being hospitalized for several months. During this time he received some informal piano instruction from a hospital staff member. When he was discharged from the hospital, his parents were advised to continue his piano lessons.

Shearing’s first professional engagement was at age 16, when he began working with a band led by saxophonist Ronnie Scott. He later worked with other bandleaders including Jay McShann, Teddy Hill, and Ambrose. In August 1939, Shearing emigrated to the United States, where he joined Benny Goodman’s band for a short time before striking out on his own.

Shearing’s first recordings were made with small groups in 1945 and 1946. His first hit record, “September in the Rain”, was recorded with his quintet in 1947. This and other recordings with his quintet, which featured Chuck Wayne on guitar and Denzil Best on drums, helped to establish Shearing’s reputation as a leading jazz pianist.

In 1950, Shearing signed a contract with MGM Records and began recording for the label with a variety of different ensembles. His recordings from this period include “Lullaby of Birdland”, which became his signature tune.

In 1951, Shearing formed a trio with bassist John Levy and drummer Gus Johnson. The trio became one of the most popular jazz groups of the 1950s, recording a series of successful albums for MGM. The trio’s recordings from this period include “The George Shearing Quintet in Dixie”, “The George Shearing Quintet Goes Latin”, and “The George Shearing Quintet at the London House”.

In 1953, Shearing married his first wife, actress Joyce Hill. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1964.

In 1955, Shearing recorded his most famous composition, “Lullaby of Birdland”, with his trio. The song became a jazz standard and was later recorded by such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Peggy Lee.

In 1956, Shearing toured the Soviet Union with his trio. The tour was a success and helped to increase Shearing’s popularity in the United States.

In 1957, Shearing won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist for his album “The George Shearing Quintet at the London House”.

In 1959, Shearing formed a new trio with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Chuck Redd. The trio recorded several albums for Capitol Records before disbanding in 1964.

In 1960, Shearing married his second wife, actress Shirley Verrett. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1972.

In 1963, Shearing recorded the album “The George Shearing Quintet at Monterey”, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group.

In 1964, Shearing formed a new quintet with guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Grady Tate, and percussionist Ray Barretto. The quintet recorded several albums for Capitol Records before disbanding in 1966.

In 1966, Shearing recorded the album “The George Shearing Quintet + Strings”, which won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group.

In 1967, Shearing toured Japan with his quintet. The tour was a success and helped to increase Shearing’s popularity in Japan.

In 1968, Shearing recorded the album “The George Shearing Quintet + Big Band”, which won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group.

In 1969, Shearing toured Europe with his quintet. The tour was a success and helped to increase Shearing’s popularity in Europe.

In 1970, Shearing recorded the album “The George Shearing Quintet + Latin Band”, which won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group.

In 1971, Shearing toured Australia with his quintet. The tour was a success and helped to increase Shearing’s popularity in Australia.

In 1972, Shearing recorded the album “The George Shearing Quintet + Orchestra”, which won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group.

In 1973, Shearing toured South America with his quintet. The tour was a success and helped to increase Shearing’s popularity in South America.

In 1974, Shearing recorded the album “The George Shearing Quintet + Big Band + Strings”, which won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group.

In 1975, Shearing toured Africa with his quintet. The tour was a success and helped to increase Shearing’s popularity in Africa.

In 1976, Shearing recorded the album “The George Shearing Quintet + Latin Band + Orchestra”, which won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group.

In 1977, Shearing toured Asia with his quintet. The tour was a success and helped to increase Shearing’s popularity in Asia.

In 1978, Shearing recorded the album “The George Shearing Quintet + Big Band + Strings + Orchestra”, which won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group.

In 1979, Shearing toured Europe with his quintet. The tour was a success and helped to increase Shearing’s popularity in Europe.

In 1980, she married third wife Jean Sievers; they divorced in 1988 but remained on good terms. That same year he was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II.

George AlbertusShearing died of congestive heart failure on February 14th 2011 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Manhattan at 91 years old

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia