Someone You Should Know: Jazz Guitarist Aaron Shapiro
CHICAGO (CBS) -- When the GRAMMY Awards are given out in a little more than a week, there will be a very special musician in attendance.
CBS 2's Harry Porterfield introduces you to north suburban teenager who won a very special honor. He's someone you should know.
When the GRAMMY Awards are announced, Aaron Shapiro will be part of the hoop la as a member of the GRAMMY Jazz Ensemble. The 18-year-old is a senior at Highland Park High School.
He's been playing guitar since he was four years old.
"I first realized I had a strong passion for jazz guitar about my freshman year in high school, and I was just practicing for hours and hours a day," Shapiro says. "I couldn't stop listening to a lot of different jazz guitarists and jazz musicians."
From a field of young musicians from every part of the country, Shapiro was selected to be member of ensemble. He is one of two from the Chicago area. Needless to say he was, in his words, incredibly happy when he learned of the honor.
"I am really looking forward to being in a band with some of the finest musicians my age," he said. "I've heard there are going to be a lot of special guest artists. I really look forward to that."
In submitting a tape of his music to the GRAMMY judging committee, he included a piece of classical music along with the jazz.
For Shapiro, it's just another challenge. He's already played at Ravinia, Millennium Park, Northwestern University and at several of the area's best known jazz clubs.
About his current success, he says, "I've worked hard for it and I hope it continues."
