[1] He began playing trumpet around 1946 after hearing Dizzy Gillespie's Hot House while recovering from injuries sustained in the army.
[1] He attended the Detroit Institute of Music, and studied with pianist Barry Harris.
[1] In Detroit, he played with Lester Young, Wardell Gray, and Lucky Thompson.
[1] On East Coasting, Shaw used a Harmon mute, although he was initially wary of using it, given its association with the sound of Miles Davis.
[1] For many years, Gene was an active member of the Chicago Gurdjieff society and a student of Fourth Way psychology, including its music.