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Jack Sheldon was born on Nov. 30, 1931 in Jacksonville, Fla. He studied the trumpet as a child, and by age 15, he was playing professionally in local jazz clubs around Jacksonville.
In 1947, Sheldon moved to Los Angeles and joined the Air Force where he did a brief stint as a military bandsman. Upon leaving the military, the trumpeter became an integral part of the development of the bebop-style sound that characterized the West Coast Jazz scene. While there, he had a chance to play and record with jazz greats like Dexter Gordon, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman and Art Pepper.
Sheldon gained a reputation for a quick wit and an often off-color humor, which became regular parts of his stage shows. He even tried his hand at comedy and made his acting/comic debut on The Steve Allen Show. The appearance kicked off a new career in show business including a popular and longstanding position as comedian, soloist and musical director for the The Merv Griffin Show. More high-profile Hollywood gigs were to follow, including soundtracks, featuring his singing and playing, guest appearances in several motion pictures, and a number of voice-over jobs for Disney, Hanna-Barbera, and ABC's Schoolhouse Rock.
Check out this week's Piano Jazz Shorts: the Piano Jazz podcast.
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Set List for Jack Sheldon on Piano Jazz:Marian and Jack (McPartland, Sheldon, Lett, Tull )
Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Ellington, Russell)
The Shadow of Your Smile (Mandel, Webster )
Twilight World (McPartland, Mercer)
The Days of Wine and Roses (Mancini, Mercer)
Just Friends (Klenner, Lewis)
Our Love Is Here to Stay (G. & I. Gershwin)
Cherokee (Noble)
In 1947, Sheldon moved to Los Angeles and joined the Air Force where he did a brief stint as a military bandsman. Upon leaving the military, the trumpeter became an integral part of the development of the bebop-style sound that characterized the West Coast Jazz scene. While there, he had a chance to play and record with jazz greats like Dexter Gordon, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman and Art Pepper.
Sheldon gained a reputation for a quick wit and an often off-color humor, which became regular parts of his stage shows. He even tried his hand at comedy and made his acting/comic debut on The Steve Allen Show. The appearance kicked off a new career in show business including a popular and longstanding position as comedian, soloist and musical director for the The Merv Griffin Show. More high-profile Hollywood gigs were to follow, including soundtracks, featuring his singing and playing, guest appearances in several motion pictures, and a number of voice-over jobs for Disney, Hanna-Barbera, and ABC's Schoolhouse Rock.
Check out this week's Piano Jazz Shorts: the Piano Jazz podcast.
Subscribe!
Set List for Jack Sheldon on Piano Jazz: