Robert Alden Short Jr. "Beau Shores"'s Obituary
“Beau Shores,” the Blues Gypsy and Funk ‘n Flamenco artist, died December 23, 2022 at Maui Memorial Medical Center after a battle with cancer. He was 70.
Robert Alden Short, Jr. was born in Milford, Delaware. His parents were the former Delaware Insurance Commissioner, Robert A. Short and the late Marjorie Townsend Bramhall.
Beau grew up on a 600 acre grain and dairy farm on Trap Pond Road across the field from his grandparents, Alden and Doris Short. His other grandparents, Judge Howard and Margaret Bramhall, lived in Georgetown.
Beau enjoyed playing baseball, basketball and going to Bethany Beach. He enjoyed music from a very early age. Beau started out as a tap dancer, trumpet player and a drummer. He attended Georgetown School 1958 - 1968.
In 1969, Beau attended Appleton Academy in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. He then transferred to Mt. Hermon School in Northfield, Massachusetts. It was here that he began playing the guitar.
In 1971, Beau attended Immaculate Heart College in Hollywood, California. Then he decided to travel to England, France and Spain.
In San Francisco, Beau met the masters of flamenco and learned how to play this style of guitar, which became his passion.
In 1975, Beau moved to Maui, Hawaii. He lived and worked with the One World Family and Café Paradise and played guitar with the Haiku Players.
In 1985, Beau worked at Pierce Music Store in Dover and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. In 1986, he ventured to Boulder, Colorado and worked at Rocky Mountain Records.
In 1987, Beau returned to Maui and began a career managing Bounty Music and J.R.’s. He and Ginger Briscoe performed guitars at Zambalas.
In 1997, Beau began “Beau Shores, the Blues Gypsy and Funk ‘n Flamenco artist.” He began playing in duos and trios at clubs, conventions, hotels, lounges, and weddings. These groups performed classical, Latin jazz, Gypsy swing, and bossa nova.
Beau was once the opening act for Willie K at the Maui Film Festival. He performed at the Maui Jazz Festival with the Jose Cano Band. Beau also played with Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo, Luis Diaz, Neto Peranza and Ricardo Dioso.
Beau played regularly at Maui’s Four Seasons with an eclectic trio of violins - Andrea Walls, Don Lax and Vance Koenig - called “Apassionata.”
In 2000, Beau released a CD entitled, “Ole Allah.” In 2003, He moved to the Big Island. There he performed in a club duo with Ursula Vietze. In 2007, he returned to Maui.
Beau was a regular attendee of Adele Rugg’s annual December 7th “Delaware Day” held at Beach Bums on Maui. He had once been a trumpet student at Rugg’s Music Shop in Seaford, Delaware.
In recent years, Beau could be found at Bounty Music or busking and singing at the Kula Community Center tennis courts. He had the occasion to jam at Willie Nelson’s bar “Charley’s” with Tom Conway and at Heritage Hall with Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo.
In 2019, Beau was the opening act for the annual “Jimi Hendrix Birthday Bash.” He performed at the Makawao Public Library in January 2020.
Beau was featured in The Maui News, January 21, 2022 after the pandemic. His music can be heard on his website www.beaushores.com.
Beau is predeceased by his parents and oldest sister, Margaret Carol Short of Rehoboth Beach, DE. He leaves behind his sister, Nancy Short Vickers (Ron) of Lewes, DE and Deborah Short Merkle (Martin) of Portland, OR, two nephews, Will Short Vickers of Washington, D.C. and Lucas Burns Merkle (Margie) of Portalnd, OR and a niece, Tessa Jane Merkle of Portland, OR. He says goodbye also to his cousin, George Bramhall (Dawn) of California and his long time Bethany Beach friend, Bobby Mahan (Connie) of Florida.
Beau also leaves behind his Maui family of friends and musicians: Arjuna Noor and Christina Cheney, Anita Hallard and Joe Smith, Jaiia Earthschild and David Techou, Le’a Gaylene Barron, Phil Swatek, John and Susan McClean, Linda and Greg, Jason Matsui, Zephyr and Windcloud, Tom Conway, Paul Weinstein, Rosalind Modica, Paco, his “girls” at the Kula Community Center, Shawn at Anytime Fitness, “Thai Mee Up” food truck, Baldwin Beach and Rice Park.
The family would like to thank Dr. Shannon Rey and all of the doctors and angelic nurses at Maui Memorial Medical Center for their compassionate care.
There will be a celebration of Beau Shores’ life and “Farewell Concert” at Heritage Hall, Paia on Sunday, January 22 from 3:00 to 8:00. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local musicians and the arts.
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