James Johnstone (Jimmy) Shaw has had a lifetime of experience performing in Australian night clubs, television bands and jazz venues as well as working in the cruise ship industry, most notably with Sitmar and P&O.

Jimmy also spent some years working as a Flight Steward for Qantas which gave him the opportunity to see and hear many great musicians overseas, particularly in London. This enabled him to visit New York to soak up the sounds of Miles, Coltrane, his mentor Buddy Rich and many others.

He says that his main regret in life is that his mother emigrated from Scotland to Australia in the twenties rather than to the U.S. and this denied him the opportunity to live through (and participate in) the sensational music being played from the thirties onwards in America.

He now leads his own various groups around Sydney and beyond such as the eighteen piece Shawnuff Swing Band, the six piece group Dixie for Sure, the Shawnuff Quartet and the Shawnuff Trio. In other words, Jimmy can provide a professional jazz-oriented band for every occasion.

Other than keeping busy for many years as a drummer, bandleader, teacher and trumpeter, Jimmy continues to pursue his other activities including being an active member of the Greens Party. In the past few years he has contested the local and NSW State elections. Further, in 2001 he stood for the Greens in the Federal seat of Bennelong against the incumbent Mr. John Howard and gained over four percent of the overall vote.

Jimmy also continues to be a very keen gardener working towards his objective of being self-sufficient in his production of fruit and vegetables.

In this regard, he spends many happy hours each week at schools such as Balmain Primary, Ryde Secondary College (plus a number of others) in school gardens showing the students how to plant and harvest their own fruit and vegetables. Now he is lobbying to have gardening put on the NSW education curriculum.

Left-click on pictures to enlarge.

"Shawnuff Trio"

with Omar Abidin (guitar) and Alex Compton (double bass). The trio is ideal for small venues/gatherings and specialises in a wide selection of jazz standards, latin and more "popular" material.

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"Shawnuff Quartet"

with John Brennan (trumpet, valve trombone + vocals), Monique Lysiak (keyboard) and Ray Martin (double bass). Ideal for weddings, hotel lounges and corporate functions.
This is the group that currently appears on the 4th Sunday of every month at the Oatley Hotel in Sydney, From 2pm to 6pm.

"Dixie For Sure"

with John Brennan (trumpet, Jason Raiss (clarinet/sax), Ed Wilson (trombone), Monique Lysiak (keyboard) and Ray Martin (double bass). This group is also suited to corporate functions, club engagements including backing acts and any other engagement that would benefit from a happy style of Dixieland for dancing or listening.

"Shawnuff 18 Piece Swing Band"

One of Sydney's longest-standing big, swing bands featuring the timeless music of Glen Miller, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Benny Goodman plus selections for lovers of the jazz waltz, beguine, tango and cha-cha.

The band has recently had long residencies at the Maroubra Bowling Club and the Bald Faced Stag Hotel in Leichhardt. Over the years it has included in its personnel such identities as Ed D'Amico, Ken James, Athol Holdernesse, David Martin, Danny May, Leon Dennis, Cec Regan, Peter Haslam, Ray Martin, Tim Brosnan, Michael Snowden, Ray Foster, Peter Power, Tim Sourbutts, Brian Somerville, Clare Hollander, Peter 'The Judge' Piercey, Brad Madigan, Dave Jensen, John Brennan, Freddie Hill, Richard Booth, Jason Raiss, Ken Malone, John Greenan, Bobby Scott, Ron Polson, Edwin Duff et al.

The Shawnuff 18 Piece Swing Band has recently been authorised for concert performances throughout the NSW education system, at primary and high schools.

and regular vocalist and featured guitarist Peter Power . . . .

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Other pictures . . . . .

With Harry 'Sweets' Edison in Adelaide, 1986, with the Woody Herman Sextet.

At a more formal engagement

Leader of the band

Jimmy's Major Musical Influences . . .
Small group: The Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker
Big bands: Woody Herman's various Herds and all of the Count Basie orchestras
Drummers: Buddy Rich, Don Lamond, 'Philly' Joe Jones

His Equipment . . .
Jimmy uses Ludwig drums (1958), Avedis Ziljdjian cymbals and various gauge sticks and brush types depending on the venue and size of band.