Francesca Records: Bio
Francesca Records
New Guitar Summit
Biography
New England has always had an affinity for guitar player's. In recent memory three of the finest are Gerry Beaudoin, Jay Geils and Duke Robillard. The three all have solid career's of their own with a combined guitar experience of almost 100 years. All three have crossed idioms and styles and won the admiration and respect of their peers as well as guitar fans world wide. What binds them together in this act is a mutual love for the guitar styles of jazz and blues.
The three guitarist's have a long history together. When the" J. GEILS BAND" , was still playing blues around New England they crossed path's many time's with "... The Best Little Big Band In America, ROOMFUL OF BLUES ...", which was fronted by guitarist and singer Duke Robillard. When Gerry Beaudoin was still in high school he became a Duke Robillard fan. Little did he know that fifteen years later he would be playing and recording with Duke in an association that has culminated in the formation of the " NEW GUITAR SUMMIT ". Jay Geils and Gerry Beaudoin had met at a guitar show in 1994. Jay has since became a frequent guest artist with the "GERRY BEAUDOIN TRIO" in clubs and concert's across the country.
His affinity and skill in performing jazz standards left audiences amazed that a superstar blues rocker had such depth to his playing. One night Jay came by to sit in on a gig with Gerry and Duke and the NEW GUITAR SUMMIT WAS BORN." In the summer of 1997 they were chosen to be the special guests of" THE WOODY HERMAN ORCHESTRA" at City Hall Plaza in Boston MA. The event drew over five thousand people and was on all major television and print media outlets. Since these first few gigs they have gone on to play sold out shows around the country and plans are under way to record this special act. From New York’s prestigious clubs to performances with symphony orchestras, the NEW GUITAR SUMMIT is a polished, swinging reminder of America's great original music heritage.
GERRY BEAUDOIN-Guitarist Gerry Beaudoin has carved a career out as leader and arranger for one of the most successful act's to come out of Boston. The award winning guitarist,( 1992 NAIRD AWARD and 1994 CADENCE MAGAZINE EDITORS CHOICE AWARD) was the founder of the very successful and critically acclaimed" BOSTON JAZZ
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ENSEMBLE". His recording" MINOR SWING" with mandolin virtuoso. David Grisman and guitarist Duke Robillard has achieved cult status among acoustic music fan's. His latest recording" JUST AMONG FRIENDS" features David Grisman and guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. .. JUST AMONG FRIENDS reached number twenty on the GAVIN JAZZ RADIO CHART and was .. submitted for consideration for a 1998 GRAMMY NOMINATION.". Gerry is also a member of the" BENEDETTO PLAYER'S" a guitar group that feature's among other's, HOWARD ALDEN, FRANK VIGNOLA, JACK WILKEN'S and ANDY SUMMERS from the the group" THE POLICE."
JAY GEILS-Guitarist Jay Geils need's no introduction to the legion of music fan's that made " THE J. GEILS BAND "one of the number one act's in rock history. His hard driving bJues and R&B based guitar style was the foundation of this band for over twenty year's. He has recently released two album's with his group' BLUESTIME " which includes fellow Geils band mate Magic Dick.They have toured extensively around the world with blues legend B.B.KING. Jay has also released an instructional video on the HOT LICKS label which details his approach to jazz and blues improvisation. Along with Gerry Beaudoin, Jay has performed live on the INTERNET to an audience of thousand's. In the summer of 1999 Jay re-united with his old band" THE J. GEILS BAND" for a nation wide tour. A musicians musician, Jay has left an indelible foot print on the American music scene.
DUKE ROBILLARD- Guitar icon Duke Robillard has achieved legendary status among guitar player's in his career. The founder of the legendary jump band" ROOMFUL OF BLUES", Duke replaced guitarist Jimmy Vaughn in the" FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS". After two COLUMBIA recording's he left to again pursue his solo career. Duke has appeared on over seventy five recording's in his career. Two recordings Duke played on were nominated for GRAMMY AWARDS in 1998. They were BOB DYLANS" TIME OUT OF MIND" and RUTH BROWNS" R+B= RUTH BROWN" . DUKE was nominated for a 1998 W.C.HANDY award as BEST BLUES GUITARIST. During his many recording's as a leader I Duke has mixed blues and jazz idioms. His two jazz recording's are among his best. " SWING" with the SCOTT HAMILTON QUINTET and" AFTER HOURS SWING" with member's of the original" ROOM FULL OF BLUES" are two classic jazz record's that won industry award's and showed the jazz side of Duke's playing. Both these recording's were re-released as a package on the ROUNDER label. Duke has a very successful HOT LICKS video on his jazz and blues styles and recently released two new videos on the guitar styles of blues legends Freddy King and T-Bone Walker. Duke has produced and played on two recent recordings with Kansas city jazz legend Jay McShann. On May 26 2001 Duke Robillard was awarded a prestigious W.C Handy award at their annual awards night in Memphis TN. Duke has since then won two more Handy awards and has been nominated once again in 2004.
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Three shades of blue Jay Geils, Duke Robillard, and Gerry Beaudoin, plus James Montgomery
BY TED DROZDOWSKI
The three guitarists - Jay Geils, Duke Robillard, and Gerry Beaudoin - are seated on stools across the front of the stage, swinging like crazy through Count Basie's "Broadway." The music is practically throwing sparks, though this is just the sound check and, for now, chaos is boss. Technicians in ninja black are crawling all over the Stoneham Theatre, testing boom microphones, laying cables, and trying to get the hornets out of the PA.

JAY, DUKE, AND GERRY: live these men and their vintage guitars and sound bring an over-spilling reservoir of fresh energy to both the standards and their. own contributions to the catalogue.
Robillard takes a solo, but his guitar is
competing with the angry buzz of the
stage-left speakers. Next, a crackle
fires through the air like static
electricity. Then the microphone for
Robillard's acoustic guitar starts to feed back, and the low string on Beaudoin's custom seven-string Benedetto joins in, humming its way to a low howl. The TV crew's stage manager hovers nervously, waiting to give the three six-stringers instructions as bassist John Turner's cord starts popping. Both soundmen move in and begin pulling things apart, less than a half-hour from the taping's scheduled start.
Nonetheless, when the audience has filled the restored theater's comfortable seats and the cameras begin to roll, all that's past. The trio, who have swapped their blue jeans for earth-toned suits and are augmented by bass and drums, start with a sprint through "Glide On." Robillard takes the first solo, which is full of precisely sculpted notes. Then Geils steps in, upping the ante with slurs and unpredictable accents, and he's followed by Beaudoin, who caps his solo with a long, smart statement chiseled from gorgeous chords that brings a flood of applause.
So goes the rest of the November 8 taping oUite PBS show CD Highway, this episode being a live-wire celebration of the warm, distortion-free vocabulary of jazz and blues guitar from the '30s through the '60s. All three players deliver beautiful solo after beautiful solo, precise harmony and unison playing, and witty turns - like working quotes from Miles Davis's "All Blues" and a snatch of the Jeopardy theme into exploratory improvisations. Plus there's husky, soulful singing from Robillard in his "Lonely Blues" and a nice vocal turn through "Ain't Nobody's Business" by Beaudoin.
The performance, which marks CD Highway's jump from a half-hour to an hour-long show, is an overdub-free delight, just like the trio's new Retrospective (Q&W Music). The disc convenes Beaudoin, Geils, and Robillard for three new recordings, rounding out its 11 tunes with jazz-blues cuts from solo albums by Robillard and Beaudoin and a cut from Geils's Bluestime group with his old J.
Gerry Beaudoin And The Kings Of Strings Featuring J. Geils
GERRY BEAUDOIN AND THE KINGS OF STRINGS
FEATURING
JAY GEILS
Award winning jazz guitarist Gerry Beaudoin (1992 NAIRD AWARD in the traditional jazz category and a 1993 and 1995 Cadence Jazz Magazine Editors Choice Award) is introducing the most exciting and creative group of his distinguished career. The leader, arranger and producer of the critically acclaimed Boston Jazz Ensemble, Gerry has always been a fan of acoustic music.
A disciple of mandolin virtuoso David Grisman, who has appeared as the guest artist of the Gerry Beaudoin Trio on two award winning recordings,( Minor Swing and Just Among Friends
Rock superstar turned jazz guitarist , Jay Geils from the legendary J.Geils Band , lays down tight, four to the floor rhythm guitar for Gerry and the rest of the band. A member along with Gerry and blues legend Duke Robillard of the concert attraction New Guitar Summit, Jay shows his affinity and skill in soloing in the tradition of the great American jazz guitar masters. The New Guitar Summit is signed to Stony Plain Records in Edmonton Canada and has their new recording coming out in February of 2004. The legion of music fans that made the J.Geils Band one of the top attractions in rock and roll history and bought over sixteen million recordings, have not been disappointed in this career switch of Jays’. Whether it is the New Guitar Summit, The Kings Of Strings or the Gerry Beaudoin-Jay Geils Quartet, the sold out concerts show that the fans come out to support this American music icon.
Longtime Gerry Beaudoin bassist Bob Nieske, holds the bottom down , and also contributes creative, interesting solo’s. A graduate of the New England Conservatory Of Music with a Masters degree in composition, Bob is also the Jazz Artist In Residence at the prestigious Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Bob has performed or recorded with a such notable jazz legends as guitarist’s Larry Coryell and Charlie Byrd, legendary jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, and chamber jazz reed man, composer Jimmy Guiffre and blues guitarists Ronnie Earl and Duke Robillard. A composer of note Bob has even recorded his own compositions with the world famous Lydian String Quartet. Jazz mandolinist, Jerry Miller is the latest addition to Gerry’s musical orbit. An accomplished multi instrumentalist, ( mandolin, pedal steel and guitar) Jerry is also a virtuoso at most styles. At home playing, jazz, blues rock-a-billy and country, Jerry has added his sound to many musical acts in all genres.
Aaron Weinstein, a 18 year old , jazz violin sensation has become the latest member of the Kings Of Strings. His talent is far mature than one would expect at such a young age. With technique and tone reminiscent of jazz violin legend Stephane Grappelli he has performed with jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli as well as Skitch Henderson , Frank Vignola, Claude “ Fiddler” Williams , Johnny Frigo and the legendary Les Paul.
Leader ,Gerry Beaudoin had made his mark in the jazz world with his three recordings featuring the Boston Jazz Ensemble. When he 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 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..
This new musical act features Gerry on an acoustic 6 and 7-string guitar performing jazz standards, blues, swing and original compositions.
Quotes
“… A Beaudoin performance is a lesson in sophistication and class. His new group the Kings Of Strings featuring his long time performing partner Jay Geils of the legendary J.Geils Band , continues what I first noticed about Gerry and his music. Melody and taste reign supreme.”
-Randall Kremer
Director Of Public Relations
Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC
“ …Gerry is the backbone of this group. His playing is straight a head when needed and most sophisticated at the same time. He knows how to get the most out of his group while still maintaining his musical vision. Our town was still talking about this concert a week later. I recommend the “Kings Of Strings” with Jay Geils most highly to any body. To see two guitar masters like Gerry and Jay up close and personal was a real thrill.”
-George Drapeau
Concert Promoter Whipoorwill Hall
Armonk NY
“ … Swing guitar masters.”
- The Boston Globe
“…A live wire celebration of the distortion free vocabulary of jazz guitar.”
- The Boston Phoenix
“…Seminal jazz sounds with out sounding the least bit dated.
- The Washington Post 1999
“…Each player continued to set and exceed standards with each turn at bat.”
- The Washington Post 2003
“… Gerry and Jay are just fantastic. When they played with our city symphony for it’s annual fundraising concert they raised over $ 4000.00 profit for us and drove the orchestra to new heights musically. Our event was so successful that by order of the City Council Jay and Gerry were honored with the keys to the city. We are looking forward to performing with them again.
- Board Of Directors, Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra
“.... Gerry Beaudoin is one of the finest composers arrangers and guitarists on the scene today. I am looking forward to more musical adventures with Gerry and his trio in the future.” - David Grisman
“... Gerry can play anything from swing to bop and is a hell of a blues guitarist.”
- Duke Robillard
“..One of the finest jazz guitarists on the face of the earth today, Mr. Gerry Beaudoin.”
- Gene Petit, WICN Public Radio Program Director
FOR BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gerry Beaudoin
92 Greenwood Lane
Waltham , MA 02453
781-894-7984
gbeaudoin@rcn.com
Francesca Records
HOWARD ALDEN & GERRY BEAUDOIN
The history of the jazz guitar is rich in collaborations between contemporaries. From Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson to John McGlaughlin and Larry Coryall the duo format or front line of two guitars is part of the jazz guitar’s history. Two such players of this generation are Howard Alden and Gerry Beaudoin. Both men have followed in the foot steps of jazz guitar innovator George Van Eps and play custom seven string guitars made by world class luthier Bob Benedetto. The seven string guitar imparts a greater range and harmonic richness to the guitars already colorful tonal palette. Meeting at the annual Benedetto Players Concerts, hosted by luthier Bob Benedetto, at the Classic American Guitar Show , they developed a respect and admiration for each other’s music. Their first concert together out side of this setting was a rousing success when Gerry invited Howard to fill in for Duke Robillard at a NEW GUITAR SUMMIT concert in the summer of 1999 for the Marblehead Jazz Series. Producer of the series, Gene Arnold had this to say.“ Another sold out house. Another awesome concert. It was a rollicking extravaganza of talent.”. Gene Petit of WICN radio paid this act a great compliment when he said on air during their live WICN radio concert ,” ..Two of the finest jazz guitarists on the face of the earth. It doesn’t get any better than this.” Howard and Gerry are featured performers on the Mel Bay Productions video, CAFE BENEDETTO. HOWARD ALDEN BIOGRAPHY
“ He may be the best of his generation.” writes Owen Cordle in JAZZ TIMES, and Chip Deffaa of the NEW YORK POST observes that he is “...one of the finest young guitarists working today. “ It seems the only thing regarding Howard Alden on which the critics have debate is whether the remarkable jazz guitarist is one of the best or simply the best.
Born in Newport Beach California, Howard moved east in 1979 to join the Red Norvo Trio. Upon moving to New York in 1982, Alden’s skills both as a soloist and accompanist, were quickly recognized and he was sought out for appearances and recordings with such artists as Joe Bushkin, Ruby Braff, Joe Williams and Woody Herman. He has continued to win accolades from critics and musicians alike, adding George Van Epps, Benny Carter, Flip Philips, Bud Freeman, Kenny Davern, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Scott Hamilton and Ken Peplowski to his list of impressive credits. Howard is the soundtrack voice on guitar for SEAN PENN in the new WOODY ALLEN movie , SWEET AND LOWDOWN.
Howard Alden has been a Concord Jazz recording artist since the late 1980’s. His four recordings with 7-string guitar inventor and legend George Van Eps have earned Howard a sure place in jazz guitar history. After almost a thirty year hiatus from recording George was coaxed into the studio by Howard and they left a new legacy of jazz guitar works. His recorded output as a leader , co-leader, and sideman, has captured an artist of astonishing virtuosity and originality.
GERRY BEAUDOIN BIOGRAPHY
Leader, producer, arranger and guitarist are all hat’s worn by Gerry Beaudoin in his career.
Born in Waltham MA and living there still today, Gerry is “..one of New England’s premier jazz guitarists .” -says Just Jazz Guitar. Founder of the critically acclaimed BOSTON JAZZ ENSEMBLE, Gerry has also forged a career in the acoustic jazz scene with his two award winning recordings with mandolin virtuoso DAVID GRISMAN.
The award winning guitarist, ( 1992 award in the traditional jazz category from THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT RECORD DISTRIBUTORS and a 1993 and 1995 editor’s choice award from CADENCE MAGAZINE), has appeared on over thirty recordings, with twelve recordings as a leader. His 1998 recording, JUST AMONG FRIENDS with jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli and mandolinist David Grisman was “submitted for consideration for a GRAMMY nomination. “
Gerry has performed and recorded with a host of jazz and blues luminaries that include Jay McShann, Eddie “ Cleanhead “ Vinson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Carol Sloan, Dave McKenna, Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Levon Helm from the BAND, harmonica wizard Jerry Portnoy from the Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton bands, and the Woody Herman Orchestra. His latest project, NEW GUITAR SUMMIT features Gerry alongside rock superstar turned jazz guitarist JAY GEILS, and blues legend DUKE ROBILLARD.
A versatile and sensitive guitarist of the currant generation. To quote Duke Robillard, “ Gerry can play anything from swing to bop and is a hell of a blues guitarist. “
Gerry has also entered the pops symphonic world with appearances as a guest artist performing jazz standard and original tunes of his with a full symphony orchestra.