George Shearing (1919-2011) was born blind to working-class parents in London and started learning piano at the age of 3. He declined several scholarships to play with bands in pubs, at one point joining a jazz band consisting of solely blind musicians. He emigrated to America after World War II and quickly formed his own band. He put out more than 100 albums, composing in a style that was equally formed by jazz and classical music. He was knighted by the British crown in 2007.