Jim Beard

For New Zealand architect James (Jim) Beard, see James Beard (architect)

Jim Beard
Background information
Born	August 26, 1960
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Genres	Jazz fusion Post bop
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1980s — present
Associated acts	Mahavishnu Orchestra Pat Metheny

James Arthur Beard (born August 26, 1960 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American jazz pianist, contemporary instrumental composer, arranger and record producer.

Career

Jim Beard is best known as a performer, writer and producer who has had long standing working relationships with artists like Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Jon Herington, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny and Steely Dan. He also has a solo recording career and teaches worldwide. He has taught at Berklee College of Music in Boston, The Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers University, The Sibelius Academy in Helsinki Finland and The Aaron Copland School of Music in New York.

Composition

Jim Beard is noted for a uniquely eclectic and often whimsical compositional style that incorporates elements of humor and unpredictability in many of his songs and productions. Many of Beard's compositions have been recorded by top jazz artists, for example "The Wait" by John McLaughlin; "Riddle Me This" by Bob Berg; "In The Hat" by Victor Bailey; "Ode to the Doo Da Day" by Michael Brecker and "I'll Miss You" by Bill Evans.

Bio

Jim Beard had a keen interest in music from a very early age. He first wanted to play tuba (at age 5), then drums and saxophone shortly after. His parents decided that he should start with piano and move to the other instruments later. He began with piano at age seven and his classical teacher for almost twelve years was Mary Anne Rietz. He also studied privately with George Shearing as a teenager but also studied clarinet, saxophone and double bass all before the age of 15. He took his first overseas tour at the age of sixteen with The American Youth Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Hal Schiff and attended Indiana University earning a BMD and the highly coveted ‘Performers Certificate’. He moved to New York in 1985 and very quickly established himself in the contemporary jazz community. Within a year of arriving there, he became a touring member of John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Working relationships began with artists like Mike Stern, Bob Berg and Bill Evans for whom he would later go on to produce many successful recordings. He established himself as a writer during this time by contributing compositions to Michael Brecker and John McLaughlin recordings. In 1986 he began a working relationship with Wayne Shorter that lasted until 2000. In 1988 he became a member of John Scofield’s band and he toured the world in 1992/1993 with Pat Metheny’s ‘Secret Story’ project. Throughout the 90s and 2000’s, Jim Beard has remained very active performing, writing and producing. He is considered to be the ‘musicians musician’ and has worked with Eliane Elias, Victor Bailey, Ralph Bowen, Jon Herington, John Mayer and Dieter Ilg taking on musical responsibilities that range from playing bebop piano to programming computer sequencer music to producing. He has released five solo recordings: “Song of the Sun” in 1990 that featured Wayne Shorter and Michael Brecker. “Lost at the Carnival” in 1995. “Truly” in 1997, “Advocate” in 2000 and "Revolutions" in 2008.

Discography

Solo Recordings:

• Advocate (1999) - Jim Beard
• Truly (1997) - Jim Beard
• Lost at the Carnival (1994) - Jim Beard
• Song of the Sun (1991) - Jim Beard
• Revolutions (2008) - Jim Beard

See also

• Jon Herington
• The Mahavishnu Orchestra
• Low Blow
• Mike Stern
• Gary Husband's Force Majeure
• Peter Erskine

External links

• Official Site Home Page
• 1999 interview
• synopsis