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Beat Kaestli

“Beat Kaestli’s emergence as a vocalist bespeaks a life full of experience. Like Jazz itself, his willingness to adapt and improvise has given rise to a unique young man and artist.” (David Donnenfeld, Esquire Magazine)

A native of Switzerland, Beat Kaestli always felt akin to American Popular Music, especially Jazz and R&B. In the songs of Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin Beat found a truth that became the essence of his own style. His music has an emotional depth stemming from the warm fluidity of his voice, rounded out by his arranging and songwriting artistry.

When faced with the choice of a promising singing career in his homeland or broadening his musical horizon in the US, he decided to make New York City his new home. A Scholarship Recipient at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, he enjoyed special attention from lauded Jazz vocalists Nancy Marano and Luciana Souza. While honing his craft alongside young Jazz note worthy’s like Jane Monheit, Stefon Harris and Jason Moran, he immersed himself in Manhattan’s fiercely competitive music scene, emerging as a seasoned performer. He now appears at renowned clubs such as Birdland, The Jazz Standard, B.B. King’s, 55 Bar and The BlueNote and in 2005, Beat was the chosen vocalist for the Glenn Miller Orchestra, thrilling audiences in concert halls across the USA.

Besides Jazz, Beat’s versatility as a vocalist has led him to excel in many other styles of music. He sang on Dario G.’s club-smash Sunchyme and with his solo projects Beat performed at festivals in the USA, such as the CMJ Festival, NYC and he appeared at award shows like the Swiss Oscars (Prix Walo), with Nubya. Additionally, he traveled the world, producing and starring in the Orange Gospel Tour 99.

Beat is part of the original cast of various musicals, like Neil Goldberg’s Christmas Dreams, Job and the Snake (Lambs Theater, NYC) and the Off- Broadway hit Pure Gospel Christmas directed by David Tobin.

As a songwriter Beat’s collaborative works boast a roster that includes Grammy Winners James Lloyd (Pieces of a Dream) and Peter Eldridge (New York Voices), as well as Grammy Nominated Songwriter Schon J. Crawford (Love like this, Faith Evans). His music is getting Radio Play on CD 101.9 Smooth Jazz and WBAI in New York and on over 100 stations in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Argentina and Brazil and his songs can be heard in clubs such as The Culture Club and China Club in New York City and Feathers in New Jersey.

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4
Album Review

Beat Kaestli: Beat Kaestli: Live in Europe

Read "Beat Kaestli: Live in Europe" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


In my humble estimation, there are two ballad singers (living) without peer: Rebecca Parris and Beat Kaestli. The latter has had a string of recent recordings that are as innovative as they are entertaining, including: Happy, Sad And Satisfied (B&B Productions, 2005), Invitation (Chesky Records, 2010), and Collage (B&B Productions, 2014). Kaestli sneaks a live recording in on us: Live in Europe where he performs with a trio lead by pianist Walter Fischbacher (musical and life partner ...

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Year in Review

C. Michael Bailey's Best Recordings of 2014

Read "C. Michael Bailey's Best Recordings of 2014" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


This year turned out to be a watershed of jazz and beyond vocals, instrumental jazz and important reissues. It was a year of music that further opened my eyes and ears to music I had not previously valued or considered. How short-sighted of me. Beat Kaestli Collage (B&B Productions) Bob Dorough Eulalia (Self Produced) Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz Genevieve & Ferdinand -Live

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Bailey's Bundles

Jazz Vocals April

Read "Jazz Vocals April" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Writer's note: Music writing is an avocation. It is not what I do for a living. It exists as that undertaking I do for the satisfaction of possibly educating others about this single essential art. But the reality is I have less and less time to write. As a result, I am limiting my writing to two “Bailey's Bundles" submitted monthly: my current “Jazz Quanta" addressing instrumental music and now my “Jazz Vocals" capturing my thoughts on vocal jazz. These ...

4
Album Review

Beat Kaestli: Collage

Read "Collage" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Swiss singer/composer/producer Beat Kaestli has four recordings as a leader since 2002. All are intelligently focused. Reasons (B&B Productions, 2002), Happy, Sad, and Satisfied (B&B Productions, 2005), Far from Home: A Tribute of European Song (B&B Productions, 2009) and Invitation (Chesky, 2010). Far From Home and Invitation are the most sharply focused, the former addressing European song and the later, the American Songbook. Kaestli possesses a sublimely sweet voice, one that Chet Baker would have coveted. But that is old ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five With Beat Kaestli

Read "Take Five With Beat Kaestli" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet Beat Kaestli: Beat Kaestli is a Swiss vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer. When faced with the choice of a promising singing career in his homeland or broadening his musical horizon in the US, he decided to make New York City his new home. While honing his craft alongside noteworthy jazz performers, such as Jane Monheit, Jason Moran and Stefon Harris, he immersed himself in Manhattan's fiercely competitive music scene, emerging as a seasoned performer. He is now touring the ...

198
Album Review

Beat Kaestli: Invitation

Read "Invitation" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


First, there is the name: Beat Kaestli. How hip is that? A native of Switzerland, Kaestli moved to New York, where he was suitably educated in the craft of jazz at the Manhattan School of Music, and ultimately, the Aaron Copland School of Music. Kaestli has a voice of uncommon sweetness and delicacy that is, atthe same time, durable and trustworthy. He sings as Chet Baker would have, had he had a soul inhabiting that desiccated shell ...

294
Album Review

Beat Kaestli: Invitation

Read "Invitation" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The Great American Songbook is something of a repertoire Bible for jazz vocalists, regardless of whether or not they originally hail from America. Vocalist Beat Kaestli was born in Switzerland, but he made New York his home after arriving to attend the Manhattan School of Music in the early 1990s. Since that time, his music has touched on everything from gospel and R&B to musical theater, but he has really narrowed his focus to jazz since his exploration of standards ...

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Performance / Tour

Beat Kaestli & Clarice Assad - A Cosmopolitan Affair - June 25th @ The Metropolitan Room NYC, 9:30pm

Beat Kaestli & Clarice Assad - A Cosmopolitan Affair - June 25th @ The Metropolitan Room NYC, 9:30pm

Source: Beat Kaestli

Joined by their mutual love of music and languages, longtime friends and collaborators Beat Kaestli and Clarice Assad use their cultural differences to present a cosmopolitan affair of international standards in a humorous yet sophisticated setting. Blending styles, reaching from Bossa Nova and Jazz to French Chansons and Opera, their diverse program takes you from Rio de Janeiro to Bahia, from Jacques Prévert to Charles Bizet right back to Rodgers and Hart and charming originals. Along with percussionist extraordinaire Keita ...

10

Performance / Tour

Beat Kaestli at Zinc Bar (NYC) on April 23rd

Beat Kaestli at Zinc Bar (NYC) on April 23rd

Source: Beat Kaestli

After returning from a tour in Europe and Brazil, vocalist Beat Kaestli is happy to bring his unique blend of Jazz, R&B, European and Latin styles to Zinc Bar NYC on Monday, April 23rd @ 7:30PM. The show is featuring a stellar band with Ben Stivers - piano, Matt Wigton - bass and Fred Kennedy - drums. This is Beat Kaestli's only show in New York in spring 2012!! Monday, 23. April 2012 Zinc Bar, New York 7:30PM ...

116

Performance / Tour

Beat Kaestli and Friends @ Miles Cafe NYC, Weds. July 27th

Beat Kaestli and Friends @ Miles Cafe NYC, Weds. July 27th

Source: Beat Kaestli

Come join this After-Bday Splash at Miles Cafe, NYC on Wednesday, July 27th from 8:30-10PM, featuring the vocal stylings of acclaimed singer Beat Kaestli, including brand new songs from his upcoming French tribute, Brazilian favorites and songs from his CDs “Invitation" and “Far From Home." He's joined by guitarist Guilherme Monteiro and Ricky Rodriguez on bass and the performance will feature vocal duets and imporv with some of NYC most outstanding vocalists, Magos Herrera, Elisabeth Lohninger and Melissa Stylianou! Line ...

135

Performance / Tour

Beat Kaestli @ BAM Cafe Live, Sat. March 12th 2011

Beat Kaestli @ BAM Cafe Live, Sat. March 12th 2011

Source: Two for the Show Media

Originally from Switzerland, jazz vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and producer Beat Kaestli is a fascinating hybrid of American and European musical sensibilities, at once “suave and elegant, precise and stylish" (The Village Voice). He honed his skills in New York alongside artists like Jane Monheit, Jason Moran, and Stefon Harris, and the list of venues he's commanded—from the Blue Note to The Stone—is no less diverse. Get a sampling of that range at BAMcafé Live, as Kaestli sings tracks from his ...

133

Recording

Beat Kaestli - Invitation (Chesky)

Beat Kaestli - Invitation (Chesky)

Source: Master of a Small House

Swiss singer Beat Kaestli may seem a bit obvious, not to mention presumptuous in his sobriquet, but that's no reason to be bothered by an implied affinity with hipper times. Formally trained in voice at a number of prestigious academic institutions, he also received an education gigging on the road for the better part of decade. Performance in pop and R&B settings naturally led to an abiding interest in jazz song. This Chesky debut delves voraciously into the Great American ...

122

Performance / Tour

Beat Kaestli @ Birdland (NYC) on April 29th -- CD Release Show for "Invitation"

Beat Kaestli @ Birdland (NYC) on  April 29th -- CD Release Show for "Invitation"

Source: Michael Ricci

Vocalist & Bandleader Beat Kaestli will be performing with his group at BIRDLAND, NYC on April 29th, 2010 in celebration of his Chesky Records Debut “Invitation" - 1 set at 6 PM.

“A likably suave jazz singer... a persuasive new album" --Nate Chinen, New York Times

Beat Kaestli - voice Kenny Rampton - trumpet John Hart - guitar Jay Leonhart - bass Fred Kennedy - drums with special guest Aria ...

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Recording

Vocalist Beat Kaestli Releases New CD "Invitation" on Chesky Records

Vocalist Beat Kaestli Releases New CD "Invitation" on Chesky Records

Source: Two for the Show Media

CHESKY RECORDS will be releasing Invitation [SACD348], the debut album of vocalist, Beat Kaestli, on CHESKY RECORDS on April 13, 2010. Invitation [SACD348] features Billy Drummond on drums, Jay Leonhart on bass, Paul Meyers on guitar, Joel Frahm on saxophone and Kenny Rampton on Trumpet. Invitation [SACD348] marks the first release for CHESKY RECORDS in 2010. Invitation [SACD348] was recorded at historic St. Peter's Church in Chelsea, New York City. Instead of close miking all the instruments, CHESKY RECORDS uses ...

140

Performance / Tour

Vocalist Beat Kaestli @ Blue Note, NYC December 13th, Feat. Aria Hendricks and Victor Prieto

Vocalist Beat Kaestli @ Blue Note, NYC December 13th, Feat. Aria Hendricks and Victor Prieto

Source: Michael Ricci

Vocalist & Bandleader Beat Kaestli will be performing with his group at The Blue Note in New York City on December13th, 2009 in celebration of his newest release “Far From Home - A Tribute to European Song" - Brunch sets at 12:30 PM & 2:30 PM.

“Soulful, sensitive singing. I am impressed by Beat Kaestli's CD and I look forward to hearing more!" -Legendary Vocalist Jon Hendricks

Beat Kaestli, voice Aria Hendricks, voice Victor Prieto, accordion ...

74

Performance / Tour

Beat Kaestli @ Zinc Bar

Beat Kaestli @ Zinc Bar

Source: All About Jazz

Vocalist & Bandleader Beat Kaestli will be performing with his group at The Zinc Bar in New York City on Monday, October 5th, 2009 in celebration of his newest release Far From Home - A Tribute to European Song.

Set Time 7pm to 9 pm

Soulful, sensitive singing. I am impressed by Beat Kaestli’s CD and I look forward to hearing more! -Jon Hendricks

Beat Kaestli - voice Melissa Stylianou - feat. guest vocalist ...

106

Performance / Tour

Vocalist Beat Kaestli Live at the Zinc Bar - October 5th, 2009

Vocalist Beat Kaestli Live at the Zinc Bar - October 5th, 2009

Source: Two for the Show Media

Vocalist & Bandleader Beat Kaestli will be performing with his group at The Zinc Bar in New York City on October 5th, 2009 in celebration of his newest release “Far From Home - A Tribute to European Song" - Set Time 7pm to 9 pm “Soulful, sensitive singing. I am impressed by Beat Kaestli’s CD and I look forward to hearing more!" -Legendary Vocalist Jon Hendricks Beat Kaestli - voice Victor Prieto - accordion Guilherme Monteiro ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Collage

B&B Productions
2014

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Invitation

Chesky Records
2010

buy

Bangalore Breakdown

Vegas Records
2008

buy

Happy, Sad and...

B&B Productions
2006

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