To purchase Flute Vibes from Amazon click on the cover or click here for iTunes
To purchase Traveling West from Amazon click on the cover or click here for iTunes
To purchase Black Eyes from Amazon click on the cover
Influences
Flutist :
Hubert Laws
Herbie Mann
Bobbi Humphery
Dave Valentin
Kent Jordan
Paul Horn
Yada Weber
Jean Pierre Rampal
Emmanuel Pahud
Edward Beckett
Ransom Wilson
All Others :
Frank Wess
Wynton Marsalis
Quincy Jones
Wes Montgomery
Miles Davis
Lee Morgan
Herbie Hancock
James Spaulding
James Moody
Toots Thielemans
David 'Fathead' Newman
Charles LLoyd
Chet Baker
James Spaulding
George Benson
Bob James
Ron Cater
Wayne Shorter
Freddie Hubbard
Sounds Like
Gerald Beckett (flute) Noriko Kamo (kb) Amanda Homi (perc) David Phelps (g) Tony Jefferson (d) - I Love You Porgy, Live @ Temple M in NYC (6-12-2009)
Hubert Laws Master Class at Rotterdam Conservatory March 1987 w/ John Devitt on alto flute performing Stolen Moments
Hubert Laws Master Class at Rotterdam Conservatory March 1987 w/ John Devitt on flute performing Windows by Chick Corea
Jam with Horace Alexander Young's band in the flute convention 2008
Gerald, grew up in Beaumont, Texas, started playing alto saxophone at the age of 11. As a freshman at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas he switched to playing the flute. During his years as an undergraduate at UNT he played with various local bands. Mindful of how unpredictable making a living as a musician could be, he studied business and received his BBA in Administrative Management.
It wasn't until moving to San Francisco in 1985 that he began immersing himself in the jazz scene.
Gerald has played in several venues in and around San Francisco, such as Rassales Jazz Club, Club Jazz Nouveau, Bistro Yoffi’s and the Fillmore Jazz Festival, either as a leader or as a sideman. He spent 8 years studying flute at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Yada Weber, giving recitals of works by Mozart, Telemann, Gluck, and Ernest Bloch
He has produced three CDs, each receiving national airplay and recognition.
Flute Vibes - (Summit Records 2006), Jazz Week Chart ranking
14 Traveling West - (Summit Records 2004) Jazz Week Chart ranking 36 Black Eyes - (Wolfetones Records 2002) Jazz Week Chart ranking 50
Grammy Ballot nominee for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group Category :
Flute Vibes - 2006
Traveling West - 2004
Black Eyes – 2002
National publication reviews : Jazz Times Magazine August 2006 volume 36/number 6 (CD – Flute Vibes - 2006)
Jazz Magazines online recognition :
Sounds of Timeless Jazz - January 2006 Artist of the Month
Radioio Jazz – Flute Vibes - featured CD January 2006
Reviews :
- FluteVibes - Gerald Beckett leads this quintet and sextet session which features his flute in a program of inspired jazz tunes. Each selection swings with a balance of hard bop and blues. Beckett’s recommended second Summit album soars with magic vibrations that pique the senses. Jim Santella - AllAboutJazz
- From start to finish, FluteVibes is one of the best flute jazz recordings I've ever heard. Art Heriot - Jazz Music Director - WECS 90.1 FM
- Gerald Beckett is rapidly becoming one of the jazz genre’s most admired flautists. On FLUTEVIBES, his sophomore release for Summit Records, Beckett reveals his affinity for songs that swing, seduce and soothe in such a melodic way that lovers of the jazz flute’s sound will simply be unable to forget them or his great performances any time soon. Paula Edelstein - Music Journalist and critic for Sounds of Timeless Jazz
- Flute Vibes finds Beckett really coming into his own, both as soloist and arranger. The whole project, from the selection of the material to the execution of the arrangements, reveals Beckett's thoughtful craftsmanship. Peter Westbrook - JazzReview
- FluteVibes - Beckett exhibits his virtuosity and ability to reach his audience emotionally through different feelings on each track. Marcia Hillman - AllAboutJazz
- With all the saxophone players out there today, the number of jazz flute artists is minuscule by comparison. Beckett shows that he belongs in the mix and has both the skills and style to be a force in this underrepresented genre.” Carmen Miller - JazzUSA.com
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Maestro Gerald Thanks for the add. His music is super! If you have the opportunity to come to Italy for concerts or Masterclass tell me. I do not want to miss this great opportunity. Romeo
Salut Gérald, Merci pour ton commentaire, c'était un honneur de partager ce moment avec le maitre de la flûte-jazz et j'espère te voir bientôt à Paris ou à Marseille!!! Amitiés, Laurent.
check out my review of over 12 hours of ELLINGTON STRAYHORN AT UCLA THIS PAST WEEKEND. www.wenjaz.blogspot.com and my new ELLINGTON BLOG www.jamwave.com/wenmew3
Thanks very much Gerald! merci beaucoup; muito obrigado! Ton esprit de musicien et professeur est très élevé. On as appris beaucoup avec ton souffle. Merci pour partager ta musique avec nous, c'était super! All the best. marcelo chiaretti
THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH FOR THIS GREAT WORKSHOP IN PARIS !!!!
<br />YOU GAVE A LOT FOR EVERYBODY WITH SO MUCH MUSICALITY, PATIENCE AND SIMPLICITY !
<br />IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO REALIZE THIS PROJECT WITH YOU AND I HOPE WE WILL DO MORE !!!
<br />MERCI BEAUCOUP DU FOND DU COEUR !!!!
<br />SABINE
The stage in Paris (Mélodie 7) was very very decisive for my music, my sound,and my tranquility. Thanks Gerald for your peaceful teaching, your music, your vision about flute playing.. You are one of the most important flutiste and composer in the story of Jazz music for me. Now I should be able to find my way in the sound of flute. I hope you come back in Paris on stage.. U already miss us, Love and see u brother Gerald Mohamed Beddiar
Thanks for the add Gerald. Hope all is well in your world. I also will be needing you to play a benefit for Steve Smith the bass man who's in the hospital from a stroke. love to have you play,
Hey Gerald - great improvisations and compositions! Thanks for the nice compliments!!! Keep making beautiful music - you're a great inspriation to jazz flutists! Aussi, j'espere que vous avez un bon temps en Paris! All the best, Marc
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