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Jazz CD of the Month: Gerald Beckett / The Messenger / Summit Records

Flautist Gerald Beckett has recorded another fine addition to his growing catalogue as a leader. His fifth release, The Messenger, on Summit Records, features his working quintet burning through hard bop pieces by Lee Morgan, "Aniticlimax", and Bud Powell's "Tempus Fugit". He leads the group on quieter works such as the Duke Pearson line" Idle Moments" and Beckett's own "Sunset Place", co-written with Eugene Pilner. There is also a nice Latin tune on the program titled "Lupe's Ride", written by Sharman Duran, the daughter of guitarist Eddie Duran.

Beckett is a native of Beaumont, Texas and originally learned saxophone but eventually switched to flute feeling more in tune with the instrument as a player.The liner notes of The Messenger point out that he was inspired by Hubert Laws and David "Fathead" Newman. He relocated to San Francisco in the mid 1980's.

Beckett and his group show their musical versatility throughout on this new project and this release is sure to be one of the highlights of the summer.

Lineup: Gerald Beckett: flute, bass flute, alto flute and piccolo ; Steve Heckman: tenor saxophone ; Gary Zellerbach: guitar; Steve McQuarry: piano; Ollie Dudeck: bass; Greg German: drums; Bill Keaney: percussion

For more information: www.summitrecords.com

Mike Jacobs has been with KIOS since 1988 while attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Mike began his career at KIOS working weekends acting as local host for NPR’s Weekend Edition. He also hosted Morning Edition from 1990-1996. Mike began hosting the weekly blues program “Blues in the Afternoon” in October 1994 and took on the responsibilities of jazz programming and maintaining the music library in 1996. He has held the position of Music Director since 2002. In addition to hosting “Jazz in the Afternoon” on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Mike also helps with assembling music for “Jazz From Studio One” hosted by the advanced radio students at the Omaha Public Schools Career Center. Mike is an Omaha native and graduated from Technical High School in 1984.
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