As reported in Jazzwise and elsewhere today, the great British jazz pianist George Shearing has died at the age of 91.

Blind from birth, London-born Shearing moved to American and lived in New York; he worked with a notable array of jazz luminaries including singers Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan, guitarist Joe Pass and vibraphone legend Gary Burton . Shearing had a deft pianistic style, that moved easily from rich clusters of chords to delicate single-finger melodic playing.

Lullaby of Birdland was perhaps his most famous tune, named after the famous jazz club in New York.

Sir George Shearing: 1919-2011.