Big Band Special - 10/08/2009

Clare Teal presents a 90th birthday tribute to jazz pianist George Shearing and another chance to hear him in concert with the BBC Big Band, recorded in 2001 at Birmingham's Symphony Hall. Born 1919 in Battersea and blind from birth, George studied piano from an early age before securing his first job playing in a local pub. His career developed in British dance bands before he moved to the US in 1947. Within a couple of years he had perfected his own sound and went on to enjoy massive success with his quintet, orchestras and other stars such as Nat 'King' Cole and Peggy Lee. Tonight's set includes big band arrangements written for George by Billy May and his own compositions including Lullaby Of Birdland.