BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Concord Records will release an 25-track CD set documenting pianist George Shearing's half century career on March 9 to accompany his autobiography.
The British-born pianist's biography, "Lullabies of Birdland," co-written by jazz writer and broadcaster Alyn Shipton, is due in March from Continuum Books.
The two-CD set, "Lullabies of Birdland - A Musical Autobiography," features classic tracks from Shearing's recordings of Verve, Telarc, Koch and Concord. It begins with 1949's "September in the Rain," a million-selling hit recorded by his classic quintet two years after he emigrated to the U.S. It also includes three different versions of his signature tune, "Lullaby of Birdland," including a fiery Latin version with late mambo king Tito Puente.
"He has always been versatile, whether he's doing solo piano, working as part of a duet or leading a larger group. Listening to many of these recordings again, I was struck by the depth and breadth of them all," said compilation producer Nick Phillips.
