George Shearing: 1919-2011

When Sir George Shearing, the composer of “Lullabye of Birdland,” died on Valentine’s Day, 2011, we lost one of the great pianists — and gentlemen — of jazz.

I had the great honor of interviewing Sir George for the St. Petersburg Times way back on October 14, 1983. I knew he was a great pianist because I listened to his albums; I learned he was a great gentleman when he treated me with kid gloves as I awkwardly and ignorantly asked him questions for more than 30 minutes.

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