Ed Shaughnessy facts for kids

Edwin Thomas "Ed" Shaughnessy (born January 29, 1929 – died May 24, 2013) was a famous American drummer. He was known for playing swing music and jazz. Many people knew him from his time with Doc Severinsen. He was also a key member of The Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

About Ed Shaughnessy

Ed Shaughnessy was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He grew up near New York City. In the 1940s, he started his music career. He played with famous musicians like George Shearing and Jack Teagarden.

In the 1950s, Ed continued to play with big names. He worked with bands led by Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. These were very popular bands at the time.

Playing with the Tonight Show Band

Before joining The Tonight Show Band, Ed played for Count Basie. This was in the 1960s. He then became the drummer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. This was a very popular TV show. He played with the band for many years.

Ed was also the drummer on a famous album called Bashin': The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith in 1962. This album included the hit song "Walk on the Wild Side." It was a big success.

Ed Shaughnessy recorded many songs throughout his career. He was also famous for his drum battles. He would often have exciting drum competitions with another great drummer, Buddy Rich.

Other Musical Work

While he was best known for playing in big bands, Ed also played with smaller groups. He worked with many jazz legends. These included Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, and Horace Silver.

For several years, Ed was part of the house band at famous clubs in New York. Later, he did similar work in Los Angeles. He even helped discover the singer Diane Schuur. He introduced her at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1976.

Ed also played in an early version of the "Sesame Street" orchestra. He played alongside other talented musicians.

His Equipment and Family

Ed Shaughnessy supported certain music brands. He used Ludwig drums and Sabian cymbals. He also used Pro-Mark drumsticks.

Ed was married to Ilene Woods. She was the original voice of Cinderella in the Disney movie. Ilene passed away in 2010. Ed Shaughnessy died in Calabasas, California, in 2013. He was 84 years old. He passed away from a heart attack. He was survived by his son Daniel and his stepdaughter Stephanie. He also had grandchildren. His other son, James, had passed away earlier in 1984.

See also

In Spanish: Ed Shaughnessy para niños