Led by Sir George Shearing’s great nephew, drummer Carl Gorham, Shear Brass brings a fresh and dynamic new approach to the music of one of Britain’s greatest ever jazz pianists and composers.
Combining the punch of a big band with the intimacy of a small group, this hard-swinging, highly melodic outfit showcases some of the UK’s most gifted soloists. Whether reinterpreting classics such as Conception and Lullaby of Birdland or re-introducing lesser-known tunes such as Night Flight and Children’s Waltz, its richly varied live show mirrors Shearing’s own development, encompassing swing, be-bop, cool and Latin jazz, topped off with some of the most celebrated vocal numbers of the 20th century.
Shear Brass is formed of musicians from some of Britain’s most renowned bands including The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars and Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Their other credits include performances with Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Quincy Jones, Stephane Grappelli, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett, Marian Montgomery, Georgie Fame, and Dave Brubeck.
The show is compered by drummer, and Sir George’s great nephew, Carl Gorham who brings a unique perspective to proceedings, fusing family history and biography, laced with some of the trademark Shearing wit.
From Battersea to New York; from a pub gig in Lambeth to performances at the White House; from playing requests for tips to writing iconic jazz standards, Shearing’s story is a fascinating musical tale and ‘Shear Brass’ is the perfect group to tell it.
Celebrating Sir George Shearing, the debut album by Shear Brass, is released on Ubuntu Music on 1September.
