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Tom Beckham
As a versatile sideman in New York for more than 20 years, Beckham has toured with/performed and/or recorded with a diverse list of groups and musicians including Brad Shepik's "Across the Way" quartet, George Schuller’s Circle Wide, JC Sanford’s Jazz Orchestra, jazz guitarist Rale Micic, the Motown/Soul group The Soul Night Band, jazz vocalist Jaclyn Guillou; the swing-era ensembles of Lapis Luna, Flying Home, and Bliss Blood; Joseph C. Phillips’ Numinous Ensemble; cellist Jody Redhage’s Fire In July; the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP); pop/lounge artist Betty Black, as well as session work for TV networks such as PBS and HBO.
“Here’s someone who makes the vibraphone sound like the most grand of jazz instruments.”—John Book/thisisbooksmusic.com
“Beckham’s approach is reminiscent of older band leaders like Paul Motian and Chico Hamilton, but Beckham’s work has a sound all its own—which is what jazz is really about.”—Rhapsody.com
“…the hidden treasure.”—The NYC Jazz Record
“…the secret star of an outstanding team with his symphonic way of unfolding sound and his subtle blends.”—Südkurier Constance
Artist website: www.tombeckham.net
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Mike Neer: Steelonious
by C. Michael Bailey
Early in his musical career, pianist and composer Thelonious Monk was ordained the “Hight Priest of Bebop." This sounds more like a disingenuous pronouncement by an overeager period critic than any credible music reportage. Monk's essential musical approach owed more to stride, blues, and swing than to Charlie Parker's and Dizzy Gillespie's bebop. Monk's technical brilliance, if one could call it that, was not geared toward the “technique" of rapid and complexly rendered chord changes. Monk's brilliance lay somewhere much ...
Continue ReadingTom Beckham: Rebound
by Woodrow Wilkins
In the simplest terms, to rebound is to bounce back. Many people associate it with a statistic in basketball, or the recovery from heartbreak. Musically, it describes what happens when a mallet strikes a vibraphone, or the bouncing off of ideas during improvisation. Tom Beckham does both with Rebound. Beckham is a Maryland native and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. A sideman for 20 years, he's performed with musicians such as Seamus Blake, Donny McCaslin, ...
Continue ReadingTom Beckham: Rebound
by Hrayr Attarian
Catchy tunes and intelligent soloing do not a masterpiece make, but they do create a memorable and enjoyable listening experience. Tom Beckham's third album as a leader finds him in sympathetic, although slightly overbearing, company of saxophonist Chris Cheek and a rhythm section led by pianist Henry Hey. Beckham has a unique approach to the vibraphone and does not sound like anyone else. He also composed all the pieces here--smartly crafted, varied and complex enough to be ...
Continue ReadingTom Beckham: Rebound
by Jerry D'Souza
Tom Beckham has a refreshing approach to the vibraphone. He plays it with a gentle ear for harmony and development, with ideas that are wrapped in crystalline notes. Beckham resides in New York where he teaches and plays. The latter has seen him as part of bands led by Michael Musillami and Sam Bardfield as well as in collaborations with artists including Ben Monder, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Michael Blake. Rebound is his third release as a leader.
The ...
Continue ReadingVibraphonist Tom Beckham at Cornelia Street Cafe
Source:
All About Jazz
Vibraphonist Tom Beckham Group
Vibraphonist Tom Beckhams new CD Rebound (2008) builds upon the group sound achieved on his previous release, Center Songs (2005) which critics and fans agree “has a sound all its own (Rhapsody.com), with terrific charts, a great sound and an impressive performance” (ejazznews.com). Hes as much a tune smith as a performer (KKJZ). Beckham's playing has been described by critics as “intimate and lyrical" by Bob Bernotas, WNTI, “vibrant and colorful" by allaboutjazz.com, and “delightful and ...
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Vibraphonist Tom Beckham CD Release at Smalls Jazz on December 16
Source:
All About Jazz
December 16, 2008 - 10:30pm Smalls Jazz Club 183 West 10th Street New York, NY Featuring: Chris - Cheek - saxes Henry Hey - piano Matt Pavolka - bass Ferenc Nemeth - drums Recent Press “Tom Beckham has a refreshing approach to the vibraphone. He plays it with a gentle ear for harmony and development, with ideas that are wrapped in crystalline notes." -- ...
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Vibraphonist Tom Beckham at the Bar Next Door November 15th
Source:
Powderfinger Promotions
WHO: TOM BECKHAM TRIO Tom Beckham - vibraphone Chris Higgins - bass Ferenc Nemeth - drums
WHEN: Saturday, November 15th sets at 9pm & 11:15
WHERE: The Bar Next Door (a.k.a. LaLanterna) 129 MacDougal St New York, NY 10012 (212) 529-5945
COST: $10.00 cover all night
Copies of the new CD “Rebound" will be available for purchase. UPCOMING DATES 12/10 - TOM ...
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Vibraphonist Tom Beckham at Brooklyn Lyceum Wednesday, April 9
Source:
All About Jazz
Wednesday Jazz at the BROOKLYN LYCEUM WHO: Tom Beckham Quartet featuring: Tom Beckham -Vibraphone Chris Cheek - Saxes Matt Clohesy - Bass Gorge Schuller - Drums WHEN: Wednesday, April 9th 8pm - 2 sets! $10 WHERE: Brooklyn Lyceum 227 4th ave near Union Street N,R trains Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Park Slope)
Look for the new CD ...
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Vibraphonist Tom Beckham Quartet, Feb. 25 at Spike Hill, Brooklyn
Source:
All About Jazz
Vibist Tom Beckham at Jazz Improv Live Festival, Sat 11/27
Source:
All About Jazz
Tom Beckham Group 2007 Jazz Improv! Live festival WHEN: Saturday, October 27th, 1pm-2pm WHERE: The Manhattan Center 311 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 featuring Tom Beckham - vibraphone Chris Cheek - saxes Henry Hey - piano Matt Clohesy - bass Ferenc Nemeth - drums UPCOMING: Thursday November 1st Tom Beckham Quartet feat. Brad Shepik Tom Beckham - vibes ...
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Vibist Tom Beckham at Twins Jazz, Washington DC, Oct. 26th
Source:
All About Jazz
TOM BECKHAM GROUP at Twins Jazz 1344 U. St. NW Washington, DC (202) 234-0072 www.twinsjazz.com
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26th, 2006 8pm $12 cover
Celebrating the release of his new CD Center Songs (Sunnyside/Apria)
Featuring:
Tom Beckham - vibraphone Chris Cheek - saxes Henry Hey - piano Dave Ambrosio - bass Diego Voglino - drums
Celebrating his second CD as a leader, ...
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Sten Hostfalt's Soft Value with Tom Beckham and Matt Pavolka at Night & Day, July 8
Source:
All About Jazz
Vibist Tom Beckham at Cornelia Street Cafe Sunday, June 5th
Source:
All About Jazz
Tom Beckham Group with Chris Cheek Sunday June 5th Cornelia Street Cafe 8:30Pm-11Pm May 31, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: TOM BECKHAM [email protected] www.tombeckham.net Tom Beckham Group with Chris Cheek Tom Beckham - vibes, compostions, Chris Cheek - saxes, Bryn Roberts - piano, John Hebert -bass, Diego Voglino - drums Sunday Jun. 5th Cornelia Street Cafe / Cornelia Street Cafe, 29 Cornelia Street, NYC / ...
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"...here's someone who makes the vibraphone sound like the most grand of jazz instruments." /- John Book, thisisbooksmusic.com/
"Brooklyn-based vibraphonist Tom Beckham is a lyrical player with a flair for writing distinctive, memorable tunes." - Jazz.com
Primary Instrument
Vibraphone
Location
New York City
Willing to teach
Advanced only
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Tom Beckham
Location: New York City
Instrument: Vibraphone
Born: January 18, 1968
