Edwin T. Shaughnessy was born 29 January 1929, in Jersey City, New Jersey. A
self-taught drummer, Shaughnessy came to prominence, mainly in the New York area, in the
late 40s working with George Shearing, Jack Teagarden, Georgie Auld and especially Charlie
Ventura. In the 50s he became more widely known owing to engagements with bands led by
Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey and he also worked with Johnny Richards. In the 60s he was
with Count Basie and also worked extensively in New York studios, securing a long-term
engagement with The Tonight Show band.
Although best known as a big band drummer, Shaughnessy's considerable skills spilled over
into small group work with Gene Ammons, Roy Eldridge, Billie Holiday, Mundell Lowe, Teo
Macero, Charles Mingus, Shirley Scott, Jack Sheldon, Horace Silver and many others. For
several years Shaughnessy was a member of the house band at Birdland and other New York
clubs. In the early 70s he was doing similar work in Los Angeles and is credited with
discovering Diana Schuur, whom he introduced at the 1976 Monterey Jazz Festival.
Shaughnessy's consummate skills have allowed him to become a sought-after teacher, an
activity which he pursued through the 80s and 90s while simultaneously maintaining a busy
recording and live performance schedule.