George Shearing Quintet - Jazz Concert (1963)
George Shearing reached a mass audience and as such became the dreaded curse of the Jazz musician – “a commercial success.” Blind from birth, he arrived in the United States from England in the 1940s, already a well-established swing era stylist there. He quickly learned the complexities of modern jazz, and his grasp of bebop attracted musicians and fans alike. The early recordings of his quintet (piano, vibraphone, guitar, bass, and drums) proved a big success and set his musical course for many years to come. Shearing’s group smoothed out the more jarring aspects of modern jazz and made the music accessible to millions. Shearing’s eclecticism became an asset, and his virtuosic way with the block chord technique was one of his most identifiable features. He also excels at playing ballads, often using his beautiful, refined touch to cast the melodies in various classical styles. Many consider “Jazz Concert Recorded” in performance one of his best recorded works and one of the few examples in his early repertoire in which he allows his group to “stretch out.” And what a group it was: Gary Burton on vibes, John Gray, guitar, George on piano, Bill Yancey on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums. Check out the use of dynamics and the simple riff that forms the shout chorus that concludes the opening track – “Walkin.”