Description: Jazz guitarist Gerry Beaudoin has carved out a career as a leader, arranger and guitarist. Called, “One of New England’s premier jazz guitarists“ by Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, Gerry has appeared on over twenty recordings in his career since his first national release in 1990. His award winning group the Boston Jazz Ensemble which featured percussion legend Alan Dawson on drums and vibes, alto saxophonist Fred Lipsius from the seminal jazz-rock group Blood Sweat and Tears, and Dick Johnson who leads the Artie Shaw Band on clarinet, received rave reviews and critical acclaim.
In 1992 Gerry teamed with mandolin titan David Grisman for the all acoustic recording Minor Swing which became an acoustic music cult favorite and paved the way for Gerry’s 1998 recording, Just Among Friends. This recording featured Gerry and David again in an acoustic setting with jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. Just Among Friends received wonderful reviews and was “submitted for consideration for a Grammy Nomination.”
A chance meeting in 1994 with rock guitar legend J. Geils from the J. Geils Band was an event that Gerry remembers fondly. In his own words, “I was playing a set at the Boston Guitar Show and after I finished a gentleman came up to me and said, 'Hi, I’m J. Geils and I have some of your records.' After I got over the shock of who he was we chatted for a while and I found out he had always been into jazz and blues since he was a kid in New Jersey. A few weeks later a promoter put us together for a show that was mobbed with lines outside in the pouring rain. I was truly amazed that a superstar rocker could play jazz standards and had such depth to his playing.” After that first gig J became a frequent guest with the Gerry Beaudoin Trio in concerts across the country. In 1997 Jay came by to sit in on a gig with Gerry and his longtime friend Duke Robillard and the three guitarists decided it was so much fun they should do it more often. Since that night they have been performing together as the New Guitar Summit in concerts and festivals. Their first recording in 2000, Retrospective, was released to rave reviews and a second recording by The New Guitar Summit will be out in 2003. They have appeared on the PBS TV show CD Highway and have a DVD of that concert coming out in 2003. Gerry is also a featured performer on the MEL BAY PRODUCTIONS video Café Benedetto.
The award winning guitarist (1992 National Association of Independent Record Distributors award for best jazz recording and a 1993 CADENCE MAGAZINE EDITORS CHOICE AWARD) is a graduate of The Berklee College Of Music and is an adjunct professor of music at Quincy Community College. As an in-demand clinician and educator, Gerry has done clinics at many schools and colleges. In 2001 Gerry was chosen as the clinician for the award winning New Jersey All Star High School Jazz Band.
A guitarist's guitarist, Gerry has appeared or recorded with the elite of the jazz and blues guitar world including John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Jimmy Bruno, Frank Vignola, Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, J. Geils, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Vivino, and Andy Summers from the rock group the Police. He has also performed or recorded with a host of jazz and blues luminaries including Jay McShann, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Dave McKenna, Levon Helm from The Band, Rich Latielle and Greg Piccolo of Roomful Of Blues, Carol Sloan, Cercie Miller, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Bob Hope, Scott Hamilton, and harmonica legend from the Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton Bands Jerry Portnoy.
Gerry is available for performance in a multitude of settings including duo, trio or quartet with a variety of fine musicians.Demos: Contact us for more info.
