Jim Beard

James Arthur Beard (born August 26, 1960 in Philadelphia) is an American jazz pianist and keyboardist, contemporary instrumental composer, arranger and record producer.

Life and career

Jim Beard is best known as a performer, writer and producer who has had long-standing working relationships with artists like Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Dennis Chambers and Bob Berg.

Jim was born in Philadelphia and developed a keen interest in music from a very early age. He first wanted to play tuba (at age 5), then drums and saxophone shortly after. His parents decided that he should start with piano and move to the other instruments later. He began with piano at age seven and his classical teacher for almost twelve years was Mary Anne Rietz. As a teenager, he studied arranging with Don Sebesky and jazz piano with Roland Hanna and also studied privately with George Shearing for several years. He credits as strong influences during his teen years were Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, Erroll Garner and the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra as well as Elton John, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and Earth Wind and Fire. He also studied clarinet, saxophone and double bass all before the age of 15. He took his first overseas tour at the age of sixteen with The American Youth Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Hal Schiff. Jim attended Indiana University studying jazz under David Baker and classical piano under John Ogdon earning a BMD and the highly coveted ‘Performers Certificate’. While in university, Jim performed professionally with jazz artists such as Slide Hampton and Red Rodney and was in a bar band whose members included Jon Herington, Shawn Pelton, Kenny Aronoff, Bob Hurst and Chris Botti. Jim's musical influences in his college years were Herbie Hancock, Wynton Kelly and Prince.

James Beard (disambiguation)

James Beard may refer to: