Clarence Shaw
Encyclopedia
Clarence Eugene Shaw, sometimes credited as Gene Shaw (June 16, 1926, Detroit - August 17, 1973, Los Angeles
) was an American jazz
trumpet
er.
Shaw played piano and trombone as a child. He began playing trumpet around 1946 after hearing Dizzy Gillespie
's Hot House while recovering from injuries sustained in the Army
. He attended the Detroit Institute of Music and studied under Barry Harris
, and played locally with Lester Young
, Wardell Gray
, and Lucky Thompson
.
He moved to New York City
in 1956 and soon after began playing with Charles Mingus
's Jazz Workshop in 1957. Among his credits with Mingus is Tijuana Moods
. Later that year he destroyed his instrument and quit music over a fight with Mingus. He did not return to playing until 1962, after which time he formed his own ensemble. He retired again in 1964 and returned to music once more in 1968.
"Marj", The third track on the album Breakthrough was written for his wife Marjorie Belle Wilson of Kentucky. Their interracial marriage was striking in that it occurred and flourished during the racially turbulent times of the 50s and 60s. He is survived by children Keven Jean Shaw, Stacey Leah Shaw, and Lion Shaw.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
) was an American jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
er.
Shaw played piano and trombone as a child. He began playing trumpet around 1946 after hearing Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
's Hot House while recovering from injuries sustained in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He attended the Detroit Institute of Music and studied under Barry Harris
Barry Harris
Barry Doyle Harris is an American bebop jazz pianist and educator.-Biography:Harris left Detroit for New York City in 1960...
, and played locally with Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
, Wardell Gray
Wardell Gray
Wardell Gray was an American jazz tenor saxophonist who straddled the swing and bebop periods.Today often overlooked, Gray's playing displays a unique style, an unmatched tone and a strong presence.-Early years:...
, and Lucky Thompson
Lucky Thompson
Eli "Lucky" Thompson was a United States jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist...
.
He moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1956 and soon after began playing with Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist.Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music...
's Jazz Workshop in 1957. Among his credits with Mingus is Tijuana Moods
Tijuana Moods
Tijuana Moods is a 1962 album by Charles Mingus that was originally recorded in 1957. It was reissued in 1996 on CD as New Tijuana Moods with four alternate takes....
. Later that year he destroyed his instrument and quit music over a fight with Mingus. He did not return to playing until 1962, after which time he formed his own ensemble. He retired again in 1964 and returned to music once more in 1968.
"Marj", The third track on the album Breakthrough was written for his wife Marjorie Belle Wilson of Kentucky. Their interracial marriage was striking in that it occurred and flourished during the racially turbulent times of the 50s and 60s. He is survived by children Keven Jean Shaw, Stacey Leah Shaw, and Lion Shaw.
Discography as leader
- Breakthrough (Argo RecordsArgo RecordsArgo Records was started in December of 1955 to accommodate some of the rapidly growing recording activity at Chess Records. Originally the label was called Marterry, but bandleader Ralph Marterie objected, and within a couple of months the imprint was renamed Argo.Initially, Argo offered a...
, 1962) - Debut in Blue (Argo, 1963)
- Carnival Sketches (Argo, 1964)