George —, British jazz pianist and composer who died in 2011 (8)
![Ross](/clue/static/ross-mug.min.png)
I believe the answer is:
shearing
(Other definitions for shearing that I've seen before include "George, the blind pianist" , "Removing sheep's wool" , "Removing wool from sheep" , "Breaking off due to strain" , "George - - (jazz pianist)" .)