CURRICULUM VITAE
Charles Frederick Pearson (SKIP) Beckwith
R.R. #3, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, B0J 2E0
Phone: 902-624-9068 (Home), 902-867-2106 or 2467 (Office)
FAX: 902-624-0222 (H); 902-867-5153 (O)
email: skip@jazznsamba.com (H); sbeckwit@stfx.ca (O)
Born Sydney, Nova Scotia,
October 1, 1939
Professional Musician, Educator, Arranger, Composer, Producer
Presently: member of touring/recording group JazznSamba
since 1987: Artist In Residence (Jazz Studies) Saint Francis Xavier University,
Antigonish, NS (Acoustic/Electric Bass, Keyboard, Improv., Jazz History)
1952-56: Studied piano at Maritime Conservatory of Music,
Halifax, Nova Scotia
1957: Senior Matriculation, Queen Elizabeth High School,
Halifax, Nova Scotia
1954-58: Counsellor, YMCA Summer Camp ("Big Cove" - Nova Scotia)
1957-59: Faculty of Arts, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S.
1957-59: Performed regularly at 777 Barrington Street Jazz
Co-op, Halifax and with the Tommy Vickery Orchestra
1959-61: Diploma, Jazz Studies, Berklee School of Music, Boston,
Acoustic Bass (William Curtiss, Tony Texeria),
Piano (Ray Santisi).
Arranging and Composition (Ray
Santisi, Arif Mardin, Herb Pomeroy)
Arranged for, composed for and performed with the
Berklee International Jazz Sextet (under the direction
of Arif Mardin) which was a regular contributor to
Willis Conover's "Voice of America" radio broadcasts.
Performed with Gary Burton, Tony Williams, Alan Dawson,
Dave Brubeck, Boots Mussouli,Gary McFarland, Dick
Johnson, Maynard Ferguson, Howard Johnson, Charlie
Mariano, Toshiko Akyoshi, Gene Cherico, Michael Gibbs,
Steve Kuhn, Hal Galper, Roger Kellaway, Bill Chase,
Steve Marcus, Al Ware Big Band (Boston, Halifax, and
throughout New England), "Father Norman O'Connor Jazz Show", WHDH-TV.
Volume 4, "Jazz in the Classroom" (Berklee School)
with Gary Burton and Dick Johnson.
Various other recordings in Boston (record dates,demos, jingles).
1962: Certificate, Advanced School of Contemporary Music,Toronto
Acoustic Bass (RAY BROWN), Piano (OSCAR
PETERSON), Arranging and Composition (PHIL NIMMONS)
Performed with Oscar Peterson, Ed Thigpen, Phil Nimmons, Hagood Hardy,
Brian Browne.
1962-65: Ottawa, Ontario
Played with Brian Browne Trio, Charles Coleman Trio,
Champ Champagne Trio, Rich Little, Tommy Ambrose, Mary
Francis, Russ Thomas, Johnny Nash, LaVerne Baker.
Various studio work (demos, jingles, etc.) TV and
Radio shows
Four albums with Brian Browne Trio.
1965-69: Toronto
Virtually every club/lounge in town with Brian Browne Trio, Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass, Don Thompson, Chick Corea, Moe Koffman, Ed Bickert, Norm Amadio, Peter Appleyard, Tommy Ambrose, Guido Basso.
TV - "Music Hop" (CBC - 4 years)
"After Four" with Bobby Curtola and Carol Goss (2 years, CTV)
"River Inn" with Catherine MacKinnon (CTV -2 years)
"Timmy Easter Seal Show" with Bing Crosby, Gordon Lightfoot, Jackie Vernon.
Piano Jazz Special featuring Brian Browne Trio, Bill Evans Trio, Marion McPartland,
Errol Garner.
Radio series with Boss Brass. Numerous radio shows. Various studio work.
1969-75: Toronto
Music Director/Band Leader for ANNE MURRAY.
Extensive touring (concerts) throughout Europe and
North America playing such well known venues as the
Bitter End (NYC), the Troubador and the Universal
Ampitheatre (LA), Royal Albert Hall and Victoria Palace
(London).
Toured British Isles with Glen Campbell;
shows in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, etc.
Arranged music
for, played on and was Audio Consultant and Music
Director for Anne Murray Specials on CBC with Jerry
Reid, Dr. Music, Glen Campbell.
TV shows on BBC,
French and German Networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS
including Merv Griffin, Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas,
Barbara Walters, etc.
Co-producer, co-arranger (with Brian Ahern), Audio Consultant on
12 Anne Murray albums which won 5 Junos, 3 Grammys and 1 Gold Record.
Presented with personal copy of Gold Record for
"Snowbird" in 1972.
Produced, arranged and played on
albums with Gene MacLellan, Lenny Breau, George
Hamilton IV, John Renton, David Wells, Tommy Grahem,
Bruce Murray, John Allen Cameron, Bob Cameron, Brent
Titcomb.
Composed and played numerous jingles.
Composed, arranged and played score for feature film "Slipstream".
Composed and arranged music for film for Tridon Wipers
which won first place, "International Festival of Industrial Films".
1975-87: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Music Director, Pepe's Upstairs Jazz Cafe.
Performed with MILT JACKSON, SONNY STITT, BUDDY DEFRANCO, JOE WILLIAMS, ED BICKERT, MOE KOFFMAN, PETER APPLEYARD, ROB MCCONNELL, SAM NOTO, JOE SEALY, HERB ELLIS, BRIAN BROWNE, KEVIN DEAN, BARNEY KESSEL, MOSE ALLISON, REG SCHWAGER, LORNE LOFSKY, OLIVER JONES, PAT LABARBARA, OLIVER GANNON, FRASER MACPHERSON, PHIL NIMMONS, and many others.
Numerous radio shows.
Music Director, Audio Consultant,
Band Leader, Arranger on numerous TV series (Network and
Regional), including "Comin' Up Country", "Sunshine
Hour", "Marg Osborne Show", "New Fangled Old Fashioned
Vaudeville Show", "Denny's Sho" (Denny Doherty), "90
Minutes Live", "Bob MacLean Show", "John Allan Cameron
Show", "Ryan's Fancy Show", "Irish Rovers Show", "Night
East", "Country East" (Guests included most Maritime singer/songwriter such as Terry Kelly, John Gracie, Lenny Gallant, etc.); numerous "Super-specials" with Anne Murray, Carrol Baker and many othernational and international stars - Country, Celtic, Big Band, Folk, Pop, Jazz.
Film scores for National Film Board.
Producer/arranger/performer on albums for Joe Sealy,
Ryan's Fancy, Irish Rovers, Rhythm Pals, Paul Grady,
Dutch Mason Blues Band, One Way Rider, Debbie Chambers,
Marie Umedi, Mason/Chapman Band, Rise `n' Follies of
Cape Breton, Cape Breton's Greatest Hits, Herb Ellis (live),
Oliver Jones (two albums), Reg Schwager; numerous local artists.
Owner and Recording Engineer - Modesty Cove Alternative (8-track recording studio)
Lecturer at CAPAC Seminar, "How to Make Your Own Record".
Featured lecturer at Canadian Conference of Music Educators.
Jazz Seminars/Workshops at Universities & High Schools: Maritimes; Montreal, BC, Alberta
Coached Bridgewater High School Jazz Band to win First
Place in class at Atlantic Stage Band Festival, 1986.
Private Bass instruction (Acoustic and Electric).
Instructor, "History of Jazz" at Dalhousie University;
"Joy of Jazz" at Canadian Conservatory of Music (Hfx).
Two compositions: ("Ballad For Claire" & "The Rev. Mr.
Jones") recorded by Oliver Jones.
Pianist, various clubs/lounges (accompanist and arranger for vocalist)
Recipient of Canada Council Arts "B" Grant
Performed at Centre Bras d'Or Festival,
Amherst Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival
with the Skip Beckwith Group
Newport Jazz
Festival with the Oliver Jones Trio.
Featured artist at 2080 Club (Montreal), Sweet Basil
(NYC).
Cross-Canada tours with Oliver Jones.
Numerous Maritime tours with variety of jazz artists.
Five time juror with Canada Council (Non-Classical
Music juries).
Instructor at Jazz Intersession 1987 - St. Francis
Xavier University
1987: Joined the Faculty of Jazz Studies at St.F.X.University
Founding member of JazFX, (Faculty Group)
Recorded
album with JazFX (Buffalo, N.Y.)
1988: Performed at Moncton Jazz Festival w/JazFX, Peter
Appleyard, Fraser MacPherson, Oliver Gannon, Kathie
Shaw.
Jazz East Festival in Halifax, Oliver Jones Trio,
Warren Chaisson, Bras d'Or Festival w/ JazFX & Kathie Shaw.
Maritime tour and CBC Radio with Mose Allison.
Juror Canada Council "B" Grant Arts Awards
Various
educational tours with JazFX
Rimouski Jazz Festival
with Fraser MacPherson
Festival of International Jazz,
Havana, Cuba with Oliver Jones Trio.
1989: CBC Recording, Jazz Beat and Atlantic Airwaves with
JazFX, also organized CBC network Radio Show for
Student Big Band.
West Can Jazz Festival circuit (Saskatoon,
Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria) with JazFX
Jazz East
Festival with JazFX and Oliver Jones
Quebec City Jazz Festival
with Oliver Jones Trio; Kathie Shaw.
Various educational tours with JazFX.
Juror Canada Council "B" Grants Arts Awards.
Head Judge, Regional Finals CBC/Alcan Jazz Festival.
Symphony Nova Scotia with Oliver Jones
Founding member
of "Alive and Well" with Don Palmer and Jerry Granelli
"Terrivic" Jazz Festival with CANADIAN ALL STARS.
1990: As Regional Representative attended meeting of Canada
Council to explore the viability of a National Jazz
Touring Policy.
Appointed as representative to the Advisory Committee,
Touring Office of the Canada Council to establish a
permanent jazz network for touring within the country.
St.F.X. Jazz Department and Jazz East presents CBC
Radio "Jazz Beat" and "All the Best" together with
student jazz ensemble.
Performed with Clifford Jordan, 2080 Club, Montreal;
Moncton Jazz Festival with JazFX; Jazz East Festival
with Brigham Philips Big Band, Guido Basso, John
McLean, Kathie Shaw; Maritime tour with Kirk MacDonald
and Bob Mover.
Profiled in "Encyclopedia of Music in Canada"
CANADIAN ALL STARS,
"Terrivic" Dixieland Festival, Victoria, B.C.
Recorded "Canadian All Stars Live"
1991: JazFX: JazzBeat C.B.C. recording Hildeband Winery Jazz Festival
(Niagra on the Lake), Harvest Jazz Festival (Frederiction)
JazzEast Festival, Atlantic Music Awards,
Newfoundland Conference of Music Educators.
Alive and Well: Recorded commissioned piece for Halifax Dance Theatre.
Live performance of same; Maritime Tour; JazzEast Festival; CBC Recording.
Oliver Jones Trio: Saint John Jazz Festival; Symphony Nova Scotia. (Halifax)
CANADIAN ALL STARS @ "Terrivic" Dixieland Festival (Victoria).
Performances with John Abercrombie, Mike Murley, Warren Chaisson,
Skip Beckwith Group, Peter Appleyard (Moncton Jazz Festival).
Continued duties as member "Advisory Board on Jazz Touring",
Touring Office Canada Council.
Guest lecturer, Dalhousie University Music Department.
Released critically-acclaimed C.D. "ALIVE & WELL - IN CONCERT"
with Don Palmer & Jerry Granelli (Unity Records)
1992: JazFX tour of Western Canada sponsored by Touring Office of Canada Council
Performances with Oliver Jones Trio and Symphony Nova Scotia, (Halifax);
New Brunswick String Quartet (Moncton); Ed Thigpen.
Workshops & Clinics, Public Schools, Fredericton, N.B.
Produced "ST.F.X. PRESENTS" at Club Flamingo, Halifax
during MUSIC FEST CANADA '92: JazFX, St. Francis Xavier Jazz Ensemble &
Skip Beckwith Group.
Performed with various
international guests including Randy Brecker, Denny Christianson
Moncton Jazz Festival , Atlantic Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival-
w/ Oliver Jones Trio, Fraser MacPherson & Oliver Gannon,
Skip Beckwith Group.
Harvest Jazz Festival.
Pianist w/vocalist Kathie Claire Shaw (various club venues)
JazzEast concert w/ Denny Christiansen
1993: Brandon Jazz Festival, Manitoba: Adjudicator & Clinician
Formed group JazznSamba w/ Paul D. & Kathie Claire Shaw
Performed and recorded with JazznSamba & various artists at: Monction Jazz Festival
Atlantic Jazz Festival, Baie-Festival de Jazz & Blues,Bras d'Or Festival of the Arts
Harvest Jazz Festival (Fredericton) (w/Oliver Jones)
Concerts & Clinics w/Mike Murley, Peter Appleyard, Lorne Lofsky
1994: Producer, Solar Audio recording of the Maritime Jazz Orchestra featuring the music of Mike Murley
Performed & recorded with JazznSamba & various artists at: Moncton Jazz Festival,
Du Maurier International (Atlantic) Jazz Festival & Workshop, Halifax;
Baie Jazz & Blues Festival, Shediac; Riverside Jazz Festival, New Glasgow;
Annapolis Royal Festival of the Arts & Workshops
Performance in film "Dolores Claiborne" (Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason-Leigh) and at director Taylor Hackford's private wrap party w/ JazznSamba.
Concert & Clinic w/Peter Appleyard, St.FXU
Concerts, Neptune Theatre & St. FX w/Jeri Brown
Six concerts across Nova Scotia with saxophonist Bucky Adams for Black History Week.
Concert/Live recording w/guest artist Mick Goodrick, St. FXU
Gospel Music concert w/Oliver Jones Trio, Nova Scotia Massed Choir, Four the Moment, recorded by CBC for national broadcast.
Concert, Fredericton Play House w/Oliver Jones Trio
Concert w/guest artist Peter Erskine, St. FXU
Concert "Alive & Well", Halifax, Nova Scotia
Assistant producer: (with CBC) CD and broadcast recording of Maritime Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Prof. Greg Carter featuring the music of Kenny Wheeler and Mike Murley.
1995: CBC Radio recording of Concert at DuMaurier Atlantic Jazz Festival:
"CELEBRATING SKIP BECKWITH" (introduced by "Fireside Al" - Alan Maitland) with JazznSamba & guests NYC jazz harmonica player Hendrik Muerkens, and Alive & Well.
G-7 Summit performances with JazznSamba.
Moncton Jazz Festival, Riverside Festival, Annapolis Royal Festival of th Arts.
Various concerts w/ JazznSamba.
Maritime tours, various artists.
Quebec City Jazz Festival & Edmunston Jazz Festival w/ Oliver Jones.
1996: Tours, concerts w/ various artists including Oliver Jones, Kenny Wheeler
Recorded CD "POSTCARD" w/ JazznSamba: Producer, Arranger, Acoustic Bass, Piano,
Contributed 2 compositions.
Atlantic Jazz Festival, Moncton Jazz Festival, Saint John Jazz Festival. "POSTCARD" Concert Tour.
1997: JazznSamba & "POSTCARD" receive ECMA nomination, "Best Jazz Artist"
JazznSamba Spring Tour to BC - Concerts & Workshops ( e.g. After Eight Jazz Club, Ottawa; Il Capo, Vancouver; Herman's, Victoria).
Edumunston Jazz Festival (headliner concert).
Stan Rogers Folk Festival w/ JazznSamba, the Whitely Bros., Quartette.
duMaurier Atlantic Jazz Festival w/ JazznSamba, Mike Murley, Mose Allison, Bucky Adams.
Founding member/instructor of Atlantic Jazz Festival Creative Music Workshop series.
Atlantic Theatre Festival w/ JazznSamba (Opening Night reception).
Riverside Festival.
NS Late summer tour w/ JazznSamba sponsored by NS Dept. Of Culture & Education
Recorded CD "CHRISTMAS CARD" with JazznSamba: (Co-Producer, Arranger, Acoustic
Bass, Keyboard, one composition.)
"CHRISTMAS CARD" concert tour.
JazznSamba represents St. FXU and "ATLANTIC JAZZ FESTIVAL" in Boston at Tree Lighting Ceremony, NS Tourism Marketing Trade Show.
Tours/concerts with various artists.
Member of Selection Jury for first-ever Nova Scotia Arts Council: Creation and Presentation Grants. Set up criteria for future awards juries.
Member of New Brunswick Arts Council Awards Jury, & Committee to revamp awards jury process.
1998: Maritime Tour with Kirk MacDonald.
Brandon Jazz Festival, Manitoba (Clinician/Adjucator)
Producer, MARITIME JAZZ ORCHESTRA CD - w/special guests Kenny Wheeler, Norma
Winstone, John Taylor (Azimuth)
JazznSamba National Cross Canada Tour: Jazz Festivals in Victoria, Calgary, Saskatoon, Halifax
JazznSamba Christmas Card CD Launch, Montreal Bistro, Toronto, Ontario, December 1998 with guests saxophonist Mike Murley, drummer Barry Elmes and pianist Brian Dickinson
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