Bandleader JOHN BEASLEY brings together bassist Buster Williams and multi-reedist Bennie Maupin, two original members of Herbie Hancock’s Sextet (Mwandishi and Sextant), along with drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, who has performed on every Grammy Award winning jazz record by both Wynton and Branford Marsalis, to play music from Beasley’s latest CD Letter to Herbie, a tribute album to Herbie Hancock. 

 “Every night Hancock’s creative and groundbreaking Sextet played you would hear each song morph into new music,” says Beasley.  Hancock inspired musicians to evolve continually and to stretch their musical horizon.”  Beasley’s Jazz Circle brings the spirit and talent of those indelible performances to today’s stage with eclectic arrangements of Hancock tunes mashed with a few of Beasley’s songs.  New audiences will be sure to leave delighted by this series of concerts.

Buster Williams - Bass

Buster Williams is a prodigious artist whose playing knows no limits. He has played, recorded and collaborated with jazz giants such as Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Chet Baker, Chick Corea, Dexter Gordon, Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Herbie Hancock, Larry Coryell, Lee Konitz, McCoy Tyner, Illinois Jacquet, Nancy Wilson, Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, the Jazz Crusaders, Ron Carter, Woody Shaw, Sarah Vaughan, Benny Golson, Mary Lou Williams, Hank Jones, Lee Morgan, Jimmy Rowles, Hampton Hawes, Cedar Walton, Bobby Hutcherson, Billy Taylor, Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, Errol Garner, Kenny Barron, Charlie Rouse, Dakota Staton, Kenny Dorham, Freddie Hubbard, etc. to name a few.

Awards include a Grammy in 1979; the Min-On Art Award; the SGI Glory Award the SGI Cultural Award; the RVC Corporation RCA Best Seller Award; NEA recipient; New York Fellowship Grant; 5 Stars from Downbeat magazine for the album “Crystal Reflections” listed in Who's Who in Black America; and numerous proclamations.

 Bennie Maupin - Saxophone

Bennie Maupin is best-known for his association with Herbie Hancock and his atmospheric bass clarinet playing on Miles Davis' classic Bitches Brew album. Maupin started playing tenor in high school and attended the Detroit Institute for Musical Arts, playing locally in Detroit. He moved to New York in 1963, freelancing with many groups, including ones led by Marion Brown and Pharoah Sanders. Maupin played regularly with Roy Haynes (1966-1968) and Horace Silver (1968-1969), recording with McCoy Tyner (1968), Lee Morgan (1970), and Woody Shaw. After recording with Miles, he joined the Herbie Hancock Sextet. When Hancock broke up his group to form the more commercial Headhunters in 1973, Maupin was the only holdover.

Jeff “Tain” Watts - Drums

Jeff “Tain” Watts is one of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today. Jeff Watts majored in classical percussion at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University, where he was primarily a timpanist, followed by enrollment at the Berklee School of Music, where he pursued jazz studies alongside such talented players as Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, Aimee Mann, Steve Vai and Marvin “Smitty” Smith.

Jeff joined the Wynton Marsalis Quartet in 1981 and proceeded to win three Grammy Awards with the ensemble. Watts left Wynton Marsalis in 1988. After working with George Benson, Harry Connick. Jr. and McCoy Tyner, he joined the Branford Marsalis Quartet in 1989.

John Beasley, Band Leader

Pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, John Beasley, is a third generation musician who was born in Louisiana, the cradle of jazz.  Long one of the “go to guys,” he has amassed an impressive array of credentials.  “Beas” has recorded or performed with Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Dianne Reeves, Lee Ritenour, Roy Hargrove, Steely Dan, John Patitucci, James Brown, and Hubert Laws, to name a few. 

Beasley juggles touring with composing and playing for films (Wall-E and Finding Nemo) and producing or arranging on TV reality series (American Idol and Pussy Cat Dolls Presents).  Last year, as Musical Director, he put together a 12-piece band for Queen Latifah and took the band to over 30 U.S. cities to promote her jazz album Travlin' Lite. 

 It was the music of Herbie Hancock that lit a fire in John at an early age.  Beasley brings together Bennie Maupin, Buster WIlliams, and Jeff "Tain" Watts to play the music from his latest CD Letter to Herbie, a tribute album to Herbie Hancock.


FINANCIAL TIMES, London - CONCERT REVIEW

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