Ed Shaughnessy

Ed Shaughnessy

Edwin Thomas "Ed" Shaughnessy (born January 29, 1929) is a swing music and bebop drummer best known for his long association with Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and grew up in the New York City area, working in the 1940s with George Shearing, Jack Teagarden, and Charlie Ventura. In the 1950s he worked in the Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey bands. In the 1960s he played for Count Basie prior to joining The Tonight Show Band. He was the drummer on "The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith" in 1962 which featured big band arrangements by Oliver Nelson and included a rousing version of "Walk on the Wild Side" which became a pop hit. In 1969 Ed was The Tonight Show session drummer during the performance of Jimi Hendrix. Shaughnessy recorded extensively throughout his career and was known for his drum competition with Buddy Rich. He is an endorser of Ludwig drums, Sabian cymbals and Pro-Mark drumsticks.

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