Clarence Eugene Shaw, sometimes credited as Gene Shaw (June 16, 1926 – August 17, 1973) was an American jazz trumpeter and a student of Fourth Way psychology.
Clarence Shaw | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Clarence Eugene Shaw |
| Also known as | Gene Shaw |
| Born | June 16, 1926 Detroit, Michigan, US |
| Died | August 17, 1973 (aged 47) Los Angeles, California, US |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instrument | Trumpet |
Early life
editShaw was born in Detroit on June 16, 1926.[1] He played the piano and trombone as a child.[1] He began playing trumpet around 1946 after hearing Dizzy Gillespie's Hot House while recovering from injuries sustained in the army.[1] He attended the Detroit Institute of Music, and studied with pianist Barry Harris.[1]
Later life and career
editIn Detroit, he played with Lester Young, Wardell Gray, and Lucky Thompson.[1] He moved to New York in 1956 and began playing with Charles Mingus's Jazz Workshop in 1957.[1] Among his credits with Mingus is Tijuana Moods.[1] On East Coasting, Shaw used a Harmon mute, although he was initially wary of using it, given its association with the sound of Miles Davis.[2] Later in 1957 he destroyed his instrument and quit music over a fight with Mingus.[1] He did not return to playing until 1962, after which time he formed his own ensemble.[1] He retired again in 1964 and returned to music once more in 1968.[1] He died in Los Angeles on August 17, 1973.[1] For many years, Gene was an active member of the Chicago Gurdjieff society and a student of Fourth Way psychology, including its music.
Discography
editAs leader
edit- Breakthrough (Argo, 1962)
- Debut in Blues (Argo, 1963)
- Carnival Sketches (Argo, 1964)
As sideman
editWith Charles Mingus
- East Coasting (Bethlehem, 1957)
- A Modern Jazz Symposium of Music and Poetry (Bethlehem, 1957)
- Tijuana Moods (RCA, 1962)
Source:[1]