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 Yorkarea, 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.

Edwin Thomas "Ed" Shaughnessy was a swing music and bebop drummer best known for his long association with Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band on the Tonight Show with 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 was an endorser of Ludwig drums, Sabian cymbals and Pro-Mark drumsticks.

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 Diane Schuur, whom he introduced at the 1976 Monterey Jazz Festival.

In addition to his work on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson", Ed Shaughnessy has also played in an early incarnation of the "Sesame Street" orchestra along with percussionist Danny Epstein, reed player Wally Kane, and, on occasion, freelance guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli.

2012: Ed Shaughnessy publishes his long awaited book "Lucky Drummer - From NYC to Johnny Carson" with great personal stories from behind the scenes.

May 24, 2013: Ed Shaughnessy died from a heart attack at his Calabasas home.....