George Shutack

George is widely regarded as one of the leading composers of jazz ensemble music for younger players. While he has written many challenging works as well, he is best known for his charts at the grade 2-4 levels.

A keyboard player living in the Chicago area, George has been writing for Doug Beach Music since 1978. In addition to being one of the core staff writers, he is also responsible for many of the decisions regarding the company’s musical direction. With over 125 compositions to his credit, George is one of the most active writers in jazz education today.

While in college at the University of Illinois Chicago Campus, George studied orchestration. During this period, George began writing longer festival pieces and commissions for the Decatur MacArthur Jazz Ensemble in Decatur Illinois.

George’s association with Doug Beach Music and friendship with Doug continues to this day. Over the years, Doug and George have created many compositions together. Their compositions are published through Kendor Music.

In 1990, the Chili Pepper Series was born.

One of George’s hobbies is architecture. One recent composition, Fallingwater, pays homage to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Bear Run, Pennsylvania.