Jim Beard
| Jim Beard | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | James Arthur Beard |
| Born |
August 26, 1960 (age 56) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger |
| Instruments | Keyboards |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Associated acts | John Scofield, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Mike Stern, Dennis Chambers, Bob Berg |
| Website | www |
James Arthur Beard (born August 26, 1960 in Philadelphia) is an American jazz pianist and keyboardist, composer, arranger and producer who has worked with Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Dennis Chambers and Bob Berg.
Beard was born in Philadelphia and developed a keen interest in music from an early age. He first wanted to play tuba (at age 5), then drums and saxophone. 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. As a teenager, he studied arranging with Don Sebesky, jazz piano with Roland Hanna, and studied privately with George Shearing for several years. He credits as strong influences during his teens: Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, Erroll Garner and the The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra as well as Elton John, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, and Earth, Wind & Fire. He also studied clarinet, saxophone, and double bass before the age of 15.
Beard took his first overseas tour at the age of sixteen with the American Youth Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Hal Schiff. He attended Indiana University, studying jazz under David Baker and classical piano under John Ogdon. In college, he performed professionally with Slide Hampton and Red Rodney and was in a bar band whose members included Jon Herington, Shawn Pelton, Kenny Aronoff, Robert Hurst, and Chris Botti. His musical influences in college were Herbie Hancock, Wynton Kelly, and Prince.
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