The Battersea Society unveiled a plaque commemorating Battersea jazz pianist and composer Sir George Shearing on Saturday 22nd April, at Northcote Lodge School, which was formerly Linden Lodge School for the Blind which George attended.

It was here that he gained his musical educational from his teacher George Newell. He was the youngest of nine children born to a coal delivery man who achieved international fame. He emigrated to the US in 1947. Not bad for a blind Battersea boy who played for three American Presidents and was knighted for his contribution to the world of jazz.

The plaque was unveiled by Alyn Shipton jazz presenter and author who edited George's autobiography. Tributes from Brian Kay, the King Singers and Lord David Blunkett were read by Giles and Archie, pupils of Northcote Lodge who also played a saxaphone duet. 

A trumpet solo from Charlotte Kirwan spoke about her time as a pupil at Linden Lodge when she played a duet with George when he visited the school in 1962.

Jeanne Rathbone who organised the unveiling read excerpts from George's autobiography and further tributes from Lady Shearing, Roger Legate Principal of Linden Lodge school and James Pearson, resident pianist at Ronnie Scott's who was that evening playing Georges signature tune Lullaby of Birdland at a concert in Manchester with the Halle orchestra's tribute to Kings of Jazz.
The event was well attended including thirteen relatives of Georges.

Article supplied by Jeanne Rathbone