featuring Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove,
Jeff “Tain” Watts
Reviews: “The pianist...has never sounded better. More than up to the
task, he is able to push and pull the bass and drums seemingly at will, and
possesses impressive chops and witty ideas that flow throughout. This is a credible
and laudable effort.”
--All Music
Guide,4 ½ stars
Beasley’s
new Letter to Herbie is a knockout.
– LA
Weekly, Jazz Critic, Brick Wahl
"
...a supremely inspired effort. The instant classic is [Beasley's] "Bedtime
Voyage".
--Urban Network
"a mother of a session.... The kind of mind blowing date contemporary jazzbos are always on the lookout for."
--Midwest Record Recap
“The music is beautiful and very
insightful.The playing is
virtuosic.All in all, “Letter to Herbie” is a wonderful
display of musical artistry of the highest caliber.”
--Buster
Williams
Playing
with you andplaying
all your bad ass arrangements were gift enough for me.
Love
ya!
ANOTHER INCREDIBLE SESSION WITH FILM COMPOSER THOMAS NEWMAN
WALL-E was the last recording session at the historical PARAMOUNT SCORING STAGE
M.
Here's to 60 years of innumerable TV/movie scores.
Left to right - front
row:
Thomas Newman, Bill Bernstein, Leslie Morris, Rick Cox, George
Doering, Tommy Vicari, Steve Tavaglione, John Beasley, Larry Mah and
others.
In 2005, John Beasley was hired to join the American Idol Band as Associate Musical Director. He was assigned to work with the Top 12 female finalists (Carrie Underwood, Nadia Turner, Vonzell Solomon, Jessica Sierra, Lindsey Cardinale, Mikalah Gordon, Aloha Mischeaux, Amanda Avila, Janay Castine, Melinda Lira, Sarah Mather, Celena Rae).
For three months, Beasley helped the contestants choose songs, arrange the music, rehearse, and prepare for their performances. He also helped all the finalists with their group and special performances and arranged and mixed the music. To his credit, Carrie Underwood won the title; and has gone on to become a GRAMMY award winner and chart-topping success.
During Seasons 5, 6 and 7, Beasley juggled his personal touring schedule, producing other artists, and his tv/film work with American Idol by arranging songs weekly. This year, he stepped in for Musical Director Rickey Minor for a recording date to produce some of the full-version songs for downloads.
WATCH M-AUDIO interview:with Beasley on Idol set
SONGS BEASLEY ARRANGED:
SEASON
7 David Cook (2008 winner): The Music Of The Night and Eleanor Rigby
Jason Castro:Forever
in Blue Jeans and September Morn Brooke White: Here
Comes The Sun and Let it Be
Cathy Smithson:Here You Come Again Other Performers:
Alone, Dream On, Good And Broken, Innocent, Praying For Time, See You Again,
Vanishing, You've Got To Hide Your Love
SEASON
6 Jordin
Sparks (2007 winner):I Believe in You, I Who Have Nothing, To Love
Somebody, You'll Never Walk Alone, Broken Wing
Blake Lewis:Imagine Sanjaya Malaka:Besame
Mucho La Kisha Jones:It's
My Life, This Ain't A Love Song Chris Richardson:Don't
Speak Smile Gina Glocksen: Smile
FREE MUSIC, BEAS RADIO and MORE... -
WHAT'S UP - AUGUST 2008
Finally, I got around to creating a new website with features I hope will
deepen your connection to my music. Firs...
ANOTHER INCREDIBLE SESSION WITH FILM COMPOSER THOMAS NEWMAN
