Gerry Beaudoin Trio

Gerry Beaudoin Trio

Jazz guitarist Gerry Beaudoin has carved out a career as a leader, arranger and guitarist. His first national success was in 1990 with the Boston Jazz Ensemble. Gerry then went on to make two critically acclaimed Gerry Beaudoin Trio recordings with mandolin titan, David Grisman. The award-winning guitarist, (1992 National Association of Independent Record Distributors Honorable Mention in the traditional jazz category, 1993 and 1995 Cadence Editors Choice Award) has had a career that has spanned almost thirty years.

A graduate of Bostons prestigious Berklee College of Music, Gerry quickly became a fixture on the New England jazz scene. Encouraged by jazz guitar legends Bucky Pizzarelli and Kenny Burrell, Gerry combined the chord techniques and sensibilities of Bucky Pizzarelli with the easy, bluesy swing of Kenny Burrell to create a unique style all his own. With in a few short years Gerry had performed or recorded with many jazz and blues luminaries including Ronnie Earl, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Jay McShann, Dick Johnson, famed father and son duo John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Duke Robillard, Lowell Fulsom, Gatemouth Brown, Dave McKenna, Alan Dawson, and harmonica legend from the Eric Clapton and Muddy Waters Bands, Jerry Portnoy.

In 1990 Gerry released his first recording as a leader with the Boston Jazz Ensemble titled In a Sentimental Mood. Released to rave reviews and critical acclaim it catapulted Gerry onto the national jazz scene. It was quickly followed by two other well received recordings, Sentimental Over You and Sentimental Christmas. It is a tribute to Gerry and the Boston Jazz Ensemble that In a Sentimental Mood is a best seller and still in print sixteen years later. When Gerry teamed up with mandolin titan David Grisman he had a revelation about his career and music. The pure acoustic sound of guitar without amplification and the blending of styles and genre became a hallmark in Gerrys career from then on. Gerry and David with guest guitarist, blues icon, Duke Robillard, first recorded the acoustic music cult favorite, Minor Swing. Gerry again invited David back in the studio for Just Among Friends. The latter, submitted for consideration for a Grammy nomination in 1998 also featured jazz guitar legend and mentor, Bucky Pizzarelli. In 1997 Gerry formed the New Guitar Summit featuring himself, blues legend Duke Robillard and two time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominee J. Geils of the legendary J.Geils Band. Their signature three part guitar harmonies and easy camaraderie on stage made them favorites of audiences across the USA and Canada. Stellar reviews of their performances and recordings have compared them favorably to the Great Guitars which featured jazz guitar legends Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd. While on a tour of western Canada in 2006 New Guitar Summit was invited into the studio by Canadian rock and roll legend Randy Bachman from the Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive. This recording titled Randy Bachman and the New Guitar Summit: Jazz Thing Two was released on April 10, 2007.

In 2003 Gerry returned to his acoustic roots and formed Gerry Beaudoin and the Kings of Strings featuring Jay Geils. Featuring Gerry and Jay on acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, mandolin and violin they combine elements of blues, swing, jazz, and gypsy to create a cross genre concert attraction of unparalleled excitement and creativity. Their new recording Kings of Strings is on Arbors Jazz. The Kings of Strings were chosen for a Statesmen of Jazz tour in 2007. In 2008 world class guitarist Howard Alden replaced Duke Robillard in the New Guitar Summit. Howard and Gerry are also available as a guitar duo or with the Howard Alden-Gerry Beaudoin Quartet.

The currant Gerry Beaudoin Trio consists of Jesse Williams on acoustic bass, Les Harris on drums and available special guest Harry Allen on tenor saxophone.

Gerry has appeared on over forty recordings in his career and three DVDs.