ONE LP PORTRAITS: MUSICIANS: G - L: JOHN BEASLEY: John Beasley:Composer, pianist, arranger, producer

{quote}This is Thad Jones Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra 'Central Park North' - this record totally changed my life.I was listening to Blood, Sweat & Tears, Hendrix, The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, Earth Wind & Fire - bands like this and my dad brought home this one day for my birthday. I was playing in bands. I was really into music but, you know, he brought this and I just stared at the front of this and just listened and read these liner notes over and over again. And it set me on the road to want to become an arranger and a jazz musician.I would play to the record - at that time I was playing saxophone, a little guitar and drums and I would pretend in my bedroom - pretend like I was in this band. Just totally make believe. Yeah ... that’s this record for me. I wouldn’t be here right now without this record.{quote}John Beasley: The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, Santa Monica CA, 12th October 2018 Thad Jones - Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra: Central Park North - released 1969John Beasley
John Beasley:Composer, pianist, arranger, producer, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis J.Orch: Central Park North

 

"This is Thad Jones Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra 'Central Park North' - this record totally changed my life. 

I was listening to Blood, Sweat & Tears, Hendrix, The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, Earth Wind & Fire - bands like this and my dad brought home this one day for my birthday. I was playing in bands. I was really into music but, you know, he brought this and I just stared at the front of this and just listened and read these liner notes over and over again. And it set me on the road to want to become an arranger and a jazz musician. 

I would play to the record - at that time I was playing saxophone, a little guitar and drums and I would pretend in my bedroom - pretend like I was in this band. Just totally make believe. Yeah ... that’s this record for me. I wouldn’t be here right now without this record." 

John Beasley: The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, Santa Monica CA, 12th October 2018  

Thad Jones - Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra: Central Park North - released 1969 

John Beasley