Sir George Albert Shearing, OBE, was a renowned British jazz pianist and composer, born on August 13, 1919, in Battersea, London, England. Blind from birth, Shearing was the youngest of nine children in a working-class family. Despite his visual impairment, he began playing the piano at the age of three and received formal training at the Linden Lodge School for the Blind. His early influences included jazz greats like Teddy Wilson and Fats Waller.

Shearing's career began in England, where he performed with various bands and made his first BBC radio broadcast in 1937. He gained prominence in the UK jazz scene, winning multiple Melody Maker polls and playing with Stéphane Grappelli during World War II. In 1947, encouraged by jazz critic Leonard Feather, Shearing emigrated to the United States, where he became a U.S. citizen in 1956.

In the U.S., Shearing formed the George Shearing Quintet in 1949, which became famous for its "Shearing Sound," a unique blend of piano, vibraphone, guitar, bass, and drums. The quintet's recording of "September in the Rain" was a major hit, and Shearing's composition "Lullaby of Birdland" became a jazz standard. Throughout his career, Shearing was known for his complex harmonic style that combined elements of swing, bebop, and classical music. He also explored Afro-Cuban jazz, collaborating with musicians like Cal Tjader and Mongo Santamaria.

Shearing recorded for several major labels, including MGM, Capitol, and Concord, and his work spanned over five decades. He was a prolific composer with over 300 pieces to his name and collaborated with numerous vocalists, including Mel Tormé, with whom he won two Grammy Awards. Shearing's influence extended beyond jazz, as he performed with symphony orchestras and drew inspiration from classical composers like Bach and Debussy.

Sir George Shearing passed away on February 14, 2011, in New York City at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most innovative and beloved figures in jazz history.