Gerry Beaudoin

GERRY BEAUDOIN BIOGRAPHY

Jazz guitarist Gerry Beaudoin has carved out a career as a leader, arranger and guitarist and educator. His first national success was in 1990 with the Boston Jazz Ensemble. Gerry then went on to make three critically acclaimed Gerry Beaudoin Trio recordings with mandolin titan, David Grisman. The award-winning guitarist, (1992 National Association of Independent Record Distributors Honorable Mention in the traditional jazz category, 1993 and 1995 CADENCE EDITORS CHOICE AWARD, 1998 “submission for consideration for a Grammy nomination”) has had a career that has taken him from the jazz clubs of Boston and New York to symphony hall’s and the concert stage across the USA and Canada. A graduate of Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music Gerry quickly became a fixture on the New England jazz scene. Encouraged by jazz guitar legends Bucky Pizzarelli and Kenny Burrell after meeting them as a young student , Gerry combined the chordal techniques and sensibilities of Bucky Pizzarelli with the easy, bluesy swing of Kenny Burrell to create a unique style all his own. With in a few short years Gerry had performed or recorded with many jazz and blues luminaries including Ronnie Earl, Eddie “ Cleanhead “ Vinson, Jay McShann, Dick Johnson, John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Duke Robillard, Lowell Fulsom, Gatemouth Brown, Dave McKenna, Alan Dawson, and harmonica legend from the Eric Clapton and Muddy Waters Bands, Jerry Portnoy. In 1990 Gerry released his first recording as a leader with the Boston Jazz Ensemble titled In a Sentimental Mood. Released to rave reviews and critical acclaim it catapulted Gerry onto the national jazz scene. It was quickly followed by two other well received recordings Sentimental Over You and Sentimental Christmas. It is a tribute to Gerry and the Boston Jazz Ensemble that In a Sentimental Mood is a best seller and was re-mastered and re-released for it’s twentieth anniversary. When Gerry teamed up with mandolin titan David Grisman he had a revelation about his career and music. The pure acoustic sound of guitar without amplification and the blending of styles and genre became a hallmark in Gerry’s career from then on. Gerry and David with guest guitarist, blues icon, Duke Robillard, first recorded the acoustic music cult favorite, Minor Swing. Gerry again invited David back in the studio for Just Among Friends. The latter, “submitted for consideration for a Grammy nomination” in 1998 also featured jazz guitar legend and mentor, Bucky Pizzarelli. and clarinetist Billy Novick. In 1997 Gerry formed the New Guitar Summit featuring himself, blues legend Duke Robillard and two time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominee J. Geils from the legendary J.Geils Band. Their signature three part guitar harmonies and easy camaraderie on stage made them favorites of audiences across the USA and Canada. Stellar reviews of their performances and recordings have compared them favorably to the Great Guitars which featured jazz guitar legends Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd. While on a tour of western Canada in 2006 New Guitar Summit was invited into the studio by Canadian rock and roll legend Randy Bachman from the Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive. This recording titled “Randy Bachman and the New Guitar Summit: Jazz Thing Two” was released on April10, 2007. In 2003 Gerry returned to his acoustic roots and formed Gerry Beaudoin and the Kings of Strings featuring Jay Geils. Featuring Gerry and Jay on acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, mandolin and violin they combine elements of blues, swing, jazz, and gypsy to create a cross genre concert attraction of unparalleled excitement and creativity. Their new recording Kings of Strings is on Arbors Jazz. The Kings of Strings were chosen for a Statesmen of Jazz tour in 2007. Gerry’s latest performing project is with fellow 7-string guitarist Howard Alden. Friends and performing partners on occasion since 1996 the two guitarists have made a commitment to make performing together more often a mutual goal in 2008 with the Howard Alden-Gerry Beaudoin Quartet. Gerry is the leader of the Jazz Masters concert attraction which features Karrin Allyson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Harry Allen and J.Geils with the Gerry Beaudoin Trio. In the summer of 2008, after a ten year hiatus, Gerry launched the new Gerry Beaudoin Quartet Nouveau featuring Rich Greenblatt on vibes, Bob Nieske on electric bass and Rich Greenblatt on vibes. Their new recording is due out in 2010. Gerry was placed on the 2009 Grammy Awards ballot for best jazz performance and best jazz arrangement. Gerry has been included in the definitive book on jazz guitarists written by Down Beat jazz magazine columnist and All Music Guide editor Scott Yanow, Great Jazz Guitarists: The Last 100 Years due out from Hal Leonord Publications in late 2010 or early 2011. Gerry has appeared on over fifty recordings in his career and three DVD’s.

Contact Information: Gerry Beaudoin /the Francesca Agency 781-894-7984 92 Greenwood Lane Waltham, MA 02451

Awards

1992 National Association of Independent Record Distributors Honerable Mention Best Jazz Recording 1993 and 1995 Cadence Magazine Editors Choice Award 1998 Placement on Grammy Awards Ballot - Gerry Beaudoin Trio " Just Among Friends" 2008 Placement on Grammy Awards Ballot- New Guitar Summit " Shivers"

Gear

D'Angelico EX-1DP Guitar Eastman 7-String Guitar Benedetto Guitars Henriksen 110 Jazz Amp