Lee Shaw

After spending decades toiling beneath the radar, pianist/composer Lee Shaw finally surfaced in the first decade from the 21st century being a leader on several recordings, including a handsomely packaged CD/DVD set, Reside in Graz. Over time, she cultivated a melodic, easy to check out manner of informing musical stories over the key pad, occasionally laced with reminders of her early traditional history. She cites Oscar Peterson as her initial and longest-lasting jazz impact — she examined with him sporadically in her middle years — but her design is her very own, betraying almost no overt strains of Peterson apart from an over-all joyous, life-affirming sense. She actually is also a observed instructor; her best-known pupil is normally pianist John Medeski of Medeski, Martin & Hardwood. Blessed in Ada, Fine on June 25, 1926, Shaw received her early music education through going to orchestras and a community concert series. She began playing by hearing at 11, learning music from the fantastic American Songbook over the air when they had been fresh, but her teaching was in traditional piano in the Oklahoma University for females. She statements that she hadn’t heard the term “jazz” until she shifted to Chicago to focus on her experts degree in the American Conservatory of Music. Her unique goal was to become traditional accompanist, but understanding hundreds of well-known tracks got her single work in lots of Chicago restaurants and night clubs, and an individual encounter using the Count number Basie band produced her turn significantly toward jazz. After conference drummer Stan Shaw — whom she wedded six months later on — they shaped a piano trio, gigged in Puerto Rico, and shifted to NEW YORK where they performed at Birdland as well as the Town Vanguard. Leaders like Lionel Hampton attempted to recruit Lee for his or her rings, but Stan vetoed these overtures, plus they continuing to function in a trio format. In 1971, the few relocated to Albany, NY, where they used going to luminaries like Al Gray, Dexter Gordon, Frank Wess, Frank Foster, Chico Hamilton, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Thad Jones, and Pepper Adams. After Stan Shaw’s loss of life in 2001, Lee continuing to function in a trio with bassist Affluent Syracuse and drummer Jeff “Siege” Siegel.