JAZZ@CSUN – John Beasley conducts CSUN Jazz A and B Bands
October 4 at 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
$10 – $22
John Beasley conducts CSUN Jazz A and B Bands
October 4 at 7:30 pm The Soraya – The Great Hall,$10 – $22
“John Beasley, the one-time keyboardist for Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis, whose playing reflects a variety of generational influences, incorporating the emphatic chordal clusters of Herbie Hancock, the rhythmic quirkiness of Monk and the lush intelligence of Art Tatum into a highly refined personal voice.”
–Los Angeles Times
“Beasley hits us dead center, features rapid-fire surprises, spiky asides and a quirky sense of truthful swing. Beasley’s band will leave you rapt. He brings Monk to life once again for modern-minded listeners.”
–Downbeat5 stars
‘’John Beasley’s bold refashionings of Thelonious Monk once again hit the jackpot. Beasley’s not just breathing new life into Monk’s repertoire – he’s firing up the big band scene.”
–BBC Music Magazine
“Beasley is a very clever arranger who works his charts hard, and this album is continuously surprising. An ingenious interpreter of Monk [Beasley] conducts like Thad Jones.”
–JazzTimes
“MONK’estra brought the project thrillingly to life with their razor-sharp ensemble work and rhythmic authenticity… hip-hop merges with swing and sensuous Ellingtonia sits on a sparse contemporary pulse.”
–Financial Times, 4 stars
Beasley’s Monk’estra set was a dazzling display of fresh interpretations. The enlightening set closed with vigorous applause from the house.”
–All About Jazz
JOHN BEASLEY
PIANIST / COMPOSER / ARRANGER / MUSIC DIRECTOR / PRODUCER / CONDUCTOR / EDUCATOR
2x GRAMMY® winner and 12x nominee | Emmy nominee | 2x Latin Grammy nominee | Steinway artist
John Beasley is a versatile pianist who backed Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard in his 20s. Since then, he has performed with Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride, Chaka Khan, Kenny Garrett. His 20+ recordings have earned him 2 GRAMMY® Awards, 12 nominations, and 2 Latin Grammy nominations.
Beasley is Music Director for the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz directing “International Jazz Day” global concerts. He was music director for Steely Dan, Queen Latifah, AR Rahman and Chucho. Beasley also directed TV singing competitions, including Duets (Kelly Clarkson/John Legend) and was Assoc MD for American Idol, where he contributed to Carrie Underwood’s win.
In 2017, Beasley formed a big band, MONK’estra, which released three albums. He became an in-demand arranger/conductor for European jazz orchestras, including Germany’s HR and SWR BB, Sweden’s Blue House and Bohuslän BB, along with bands from Belgium to Russia.
Beasley began writing for TV series in his 20s, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Cheers, and Fame. He can be heard in films with composer Thomas Newman, including James Bond’s Spectre & Skyfall, Finding Dory, He orchestrated and conducted MONK’estra in Steven Soderbergh’s Let them all Talk with Meryl Streep.
Beasley is currently composing a commission for the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, and will release a new album Returning to Forever, a reimagination of Chick Corea/Return to Forever music on August 23. This adds to earlier releases: El Trio: Live in Italy, an Afro-Cuban jazz-rock fusion album and Butterfly Effect that earned 4.5 stars in Downbeat
As an educator, Beasley conducts master classes. He has written commissions for youth orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s YOLA and Carnegie Hall’s NYO.In July 2024, Beasley was appointed President of the Board of Directors of the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers.
