Lullaby Of Birdland – 1989

George Shearing

Click here if you have a memory of this artist that you’d like to share

–

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube

George Shearing (1919-2011) wrote quite a few songs in his long career but “Lullaby Of Birdland” was his lone hit.

Shearing first recorded it on July 17, 1952 (although trumpeter Kenny Baker beat him to it six months earlier) and he documented new versions of the popular song every five years or so.

Although he performed “Lullaby Of Birdland” at virtually every performance for over 50 years, Shearing (as with Dave Brubeck and “Take Five”) never lost his enthusiasm for playing the song and the ability to come up with cheerful renditions.

This version of “Lullaby Of Birdland” from the 1989 Newport Jazz Festival has Shearing joined by his long-time bassist Neil Swainson.

-Scott Yanow

Click here if you have a memory of this artist that you’d like to share

–

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube