Lige Shaw

Historical jazz percussionist Lige Shaw’s complete 1st name was Elijah, but he shouldn’t be puzzled with the choice country picker named Elijah Shaw connected with outfits such as for example Skuntry. Lige Shaw’s profession in some methods can be in comparison to drummer Earl Palmer, for the reason that both males arrived of backgrounds as faucet dancers in touring minstrel displays and vaudeville. Unlike Palmer, who continued to become one of the biggest & most prolific studio room recording program drummers, Shaw generally stayed from the selection of microphones. Once again like Palmer, Shaw’s professional profession began as a kid. Already tap dance in displays at age 11, Shaw created skills like a drummer within the next couple of years and in nov 1917 teamed up with an organization referred to as Bowen & Blondins’ Dandy Dixie Minstrels. He toured relentlessly within the next few years, one common theme becoming the term “minstrels” by the end of every band titles: the Alabama Minstrels, Huntington’s Mighty Minstrels, etc. Through the entire ’20s and ’30s the drummer got part in a variety of live music actions in the Midwest, frequently centered out of St. Louis. He actually played inside a so-called “Crazy West” display that toured in 1930. The present day jazz of your day occupied his fascination with the ’30s, Shaw setting up the master for leaders such as for example Charlie Creath, Ralph Sutton, Dewey Jackson, and Walter Stanley. Shaw’s daily business also included doing work for the St. Louis music artists’ union. In the ’40s he became a member of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus Music group: you should definitely out gallivanting with tigers and elephants, Shaw caused pianist Eddie Johnson at a St. Louis golf club where he ultimately became innovator of a residence music group. Bass and tuba participant Singleton Palmer was Shaw’s primary musical sidekick through the ’50s, evidently creating some recordings which have become exceedingly challenging to locate. Shaw eventually created his personal piano-tuning business like a reaction to reducing jazz gigs. In the ’70s he was presented inside a St. Louis riverboat music group.