Life Member. Piano
10/12/1928 – 10/3/2014

by Gail Shaw, daughter

Carolyn was a member of Local 47 for over 40 years. She valued her membership and often shared her professional journey with young musicians in an attempt to encourage them to join.

Carolyn was a pianist and vocalist who began performing at her church choir at a very young age. She late became choir director. At age 82, she was still donating her support by playing piano every first Sunday for communion services.

Carolyn played the piano and vocalized standards and popular music on the night-club circuit during a time when musicians could exercise freedom and earn a great living. She often spoke of the ever-growing changes that the electronic and digital age brought to the industry. She was a purist and believed in raw, unadulterated talent that could stand without all of the digital help, whether popular, blues or jazz.

After Carolyn retired, she remained a member in good standing with the union. She continued to encourage young musicians to join the union. As a result, James Shaw Jr. and Lawrence Shaw joined in 2014 just before her passing.