In March, I started my 5th season doing arrangements with the reality tv juggernaut,American Idol. Some of the arrangements have been challenging; others a lot of fun to do. I did updated, slick versions of Stand By Me and My Funny Valentine. One of the most enlightening tunes to do was Staying Alive, Staying Alive (you can’t just say this once and not without shaking your hips) and coming to the surprising conclusion of what a great track it is with super rhythm section parts by The Stuff Guys (Steve Gadd, Chuck Rainey, Richard T., Eric Gale, etc. ) It was also a very creative song form for a pop song. I couldn’t use any repeat signs.

Went South to my home stomping grounds in Biloxi and Birmingham with Queen Latifah. Sure was nice to be back as MD for the band, hearing the Queen sing and just being around such a joyful being as she is. And, happy birthday wishes to Dana. What a fabulous concert birthday party you threw!

In these times of disintegrating traditional record labels, I’m so fortunate to have Resonance Records to support my music. This yet-to-be titled album is mostly original music with Jobin, Astor Piazzolla and Bobby Timmons songs added to the mix. Many heartfelt thanks to Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, James Genus, Munyungo, Bennie Maupin and Brian Lynch for coming on board and adding your HUGE talent and having so much fun in the making.

Now I’m back in THE HIVE mixing and shaping… can’t wait to release it.

UPCOMING GIG CALENDAR

Come on out for some LIVE music. I’m headlining in LA and Taiwan and playing with Miles from India in NY and Montreal, and with Lee Ritenour in the US and Japan.

Keep scrolling below for gigs.

CONCERT CALENDAR as of May 6, 2009

M A Y:

FRIDAY May 8 Los Angeles 8pm

World StageBe a part of the LIVE intimate conversations and some playing with jazz greats creating an oral jazz archive called World Stage Stories.

One hour with pianist and composer, John Beasley

http://www.theworldstage.org/stories.html

Clint Rosemond at (323) 290-6565

SATURDAY May 16 Los Angeles 8pm to midnight

Charlie O’s Jazz ClubThe John Beasley Sound and Feel, featuring Roy McCurdy, John Heard, and vocalist Dwight Tribble

13725 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA - 818 994 3058

Fee: No Cover

http://www.charlieos.com/

THURS-SUN May 28-31 New York 8:30 and 10:30 shows

In the ’70s, Miles Davis took jazz into uncharted territory, mixing rock, jazz and world rhythms with an all-star band. That same collaborative spirit reigns in Miles from India, an acclaimed CD and singular concert experience featuring Davis veterans (Roy, White, Wilburn, Beasley, Liebman), Indian classical musicians, and contemporary jazz trail-blazers (Mahanthappa) plus any more artists.

Miles Davis’ leap into modal forms on Kind of Blue revolutionized the jazz world. It also created a natural link between Indian classical music—based on modal forms—and jazz.

Musician Line-up:

30th John Beasley (keyboards), Tim Hagans (trumpet), Dave Liebman (sax), V.K. Raman (Carnatic and Hindustani bamboo flute), Rudresh Manhanthappa (alto saxophone), Pete Cosey (guitar), Victor Bailey (guitar), Ndugu Chancler (drums), Badal Roy (tabla), Anantha Shankar (mridangam and khanjira) 31st John Beasley (keyboards), Tim Hagans (trumpet), V.K. Raman (Carnatic and Hindustani bamboo flute), Rudresh Manhanthappa (alto saxophone), Pete Cosey (guitar), Victor Bailey (guitar), Lenny White (drums), Badal Roy (tabla), Anantha Shankar (mridangam and khanjira)

Tickets: $35, 1/2 price for students, 1/2 price 2nd set Thurs and Sunday

Call: 212-582-2121 or buy online http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com/

J U N E:

THURSDAY June 11 Los Angeles 11am-6pm

The Annenberg Space for Photography

Urban Noir/ LA-NY is a multi-media photography and music show of images inspired by the visual elements of film noir, the language of pulp fiction and the rhythm of bebop jazz, featuring photographer Helen K. Garber and the music of John Beasley.

Annenberg Space for Photography

Century Park at 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, LAtel: 213.403.3000

http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/events/iris_nights.asp#hg

J U L Y / A U G U S T:

Montreal Jazz Festival

John Beasley (keyboards), Tim Hagans (trumpet), V.K. Raman (Carnatic and Hindustani bamboo flute), Rudresh Manhanthappa (alto saxophone), Pete Cosey (guitar), Victor Bailey (guitar), Ndugu Chancler (drums), Vince Wilburn Jr. (drums), Badal Roy (table), Anantha Shankar (mridangam and khanjira)

Théâtre Maisonneuve

Tickets/Info: http://www.montrealjazzfest.com

SUN – SAT July 19-25 Taipei, Taiwan

6th Annual Taipei International Summer Jazz Academy and Festival

Week long master classes and weekend concerts

http://www.taipeijazz.com

Lee Ritenour Tour, featuring John Beasley (keyboards), Oscar Seton (drums), Melvin Davis (bass) and vocalist Annekei - For more info: http://www.leeritenour.com/

FRIDAY July 31 Portland, OR 8pm

http://www.aladdin-theater.com

SATURDAY Aug, 1 Woodenville, WA

KWJZ Smooth Jazz Festival

WEDNESDAY Aug 5 Nagoya, Japan

Blue Note

THURSDAY Aug 6 Tsukuba, Japan

Sapporo Jazz Festival

TUE-SAT Aug 11-15 Tokyo, Japan

Blue Note 

FRIDAY August 21 Los Angeles 6-8pm

LACMA

18th LACMA Friday Night Jazz series featuring the finest jazz musicians from across Los Angeles.

Tel: 323 857-6115

http://www.lacma.org/programs/fridaynightjazz