George Shearing Quintet - Burnished Brass (1958)

George Shearing Quintet with Brass Choir – Burnished Brass is a magnificent studio album by the legendary blind British jazz pianist George Shearing and his quintet, recorded in late 1957 and released in 1958 on Capitol Records.

The album's title translates as "Brushed Brass," a direct reference to the release's concept: the signature, mellow sound of Shearing's quintet is skillfully combined with the powerful yet refined accompaniment of a brass orchestra.

By the late 1950s, George Shearing was already a jazz superstar, and his quintet was considered a model of elegance. Capitol assembled an impressive lineup of musicians for the recording of Burnished Brass. In addition to Shearing's core quintet (which included such masters as Emil Richards on vibraphone and Toots Thielemans on guitar), an orchestra conducted by renowned composer and arranger Billy May was brought in for the sessions.

May, renowned for his bold and dense brass arrangements, did a masterful job. Rather than drowning out Shearing's delicate piano, the brass choir of four trombones, four trumpets, tuba, and French horns creates a warm, velvety, and shimmering soundscape for the quintet.