Jazz Articles about John Beasley

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John Beasley: Letter to Herbie

by Wilbert Sostre
January 20, 2011

Those who don't yet know John Beasley are missing the opportunity to hear one of the best pianists and improvisers on the jazz scene today. Beasley is a master musician, with total command of the jazz language, and his playing is always intense in both emotion and technique.John Beasley's 2009 album, Positootly (Resonance) was nominated, more than deservedly, for a Grammy Award for best jazz instrumental album. Even though Letter to Herbie, his previous album released in 2008, ...

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John Beasley: Positootly!

by AAJ Italy Staff
November 26, 2009

Secondo CD per la Resonance (dopo Letter to Herbie), “Positootly" consolida il ritorno alla pratica jazzistica da parte di Beasley. Un ritorno in grande spolvero, dopo i fortunati quanto prolungati trascorsi holliwoodiani nella veste di compositore/arrangiatore.Una proposta che si sviluppa nel segno del groove, con tanto drive, aromi funky e soul. Sette composizioni originali, un classico dell'hard bop costituiscono il cuore di un percorso estremamente dinamico, in cui si innestano con esiti meno felici la bossa di Jobim ...

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John Beasley: Positootly!

by Larry Taylor
September 8, 2009

On Positootly!, pianist John Beasley explores a variety of styles for a thoroughly enjoyable and stimulating experience. Each track benefits immensely from the indelible touch of drumming great Jeff “Tain" Watts, in alliance here with percussionist Munyungo Jackson.

Hailing from Louisiana, Beasley started playing in the late seventies, getting his seasoning with such jazz greats as Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Dianne Reeves. Lately, he has gravitated towards composing for film and television, but he continues to release new music ...

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John Beasley: Letter To Herbie

by AAJ Italy Staff
June 23, 2009

Il repertorio di Herbie Hancock non gode di una fortuna pari all'influenza che il suo pianismo esercita da decenni. Tanto è decisivo lo stile elaborato nei dischi di Davis e in quelli per la Blue Note, quanto è scarso il numero di brani entrati nel repertorio comune del jazz. Le eccezioni sono poche e fin troppo famose, all'interno di un corpus notevole.Certo, conta la discontinuità della produzione del pianista, che dagli anni '80 ha alternato lavori solidi a ...

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John Beasley: Letter to Herbie

by Jim Santella
September 26, 2008

Herbie Hancock has given the jazz world numerous song memories that linger. Through this tribute album, pianist John Beasley honors the composer with innovative arrangements of his compositions, all with the kind of interplay that Hancock has always enjoyed in performance. Here, pianist Beasley, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jeff “Tain" Watts enjoy a thorough workout from the music.

As the pianist and his crew get on board, most of the program swings hard or drives incessantly. There's ...

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John Beasley: One Live Night

by Gina Vodegel
September 17, 2005

Labels aren't really relevant to John Beasley's new release. His music ranges from modern jazz to free improvisation and fusion, with a funk groove at times. As a musician/composer/arranger and producer he likes to work in various areas, whether it's producing American Idol or nailing down the sound for a less conspicuous project he's got going. Based in the Los Angeles area, he just as easily finds himself working amidst the East Coast mentality of New York or the hectic ...

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Various Artists: A Twist of Jobim

by Douglas Payne
May 1, 1997

This appropriately “smooth jazz" tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim is perhaps one of the best that's come out over the last few years. Like many of Jobim's records, it goes down like a smooth, relaxing drink. Producer, arranger and nominal leader guitarist Lee Ritenour has collected some fine talent, particularly frequent collaborator Dave Grusin, and crafted some very nice moments throughout. Highlights include “Water to Drink" (featuring Ritenour and Grusin), “Captain Bacardi" (an old Ritenour / Grusin staple with Eric ...