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Tom Beckham

Leading his own groups plus The Tom Beckham Trio, Norville Trio, and his quartet SLICE, Tom Beckham has released three CD’s to date: “Suspicions” (Fresh Sound New Talent, 1999) “Center Songs” (Sunnyside, 2006), and “Rebound” (2008). In 2015 he released a duo album with guitarist Brad Shepik entitled "Flower Starter." He also performs on solo vibraphone and is a Vic Firth artist.

As a versatile sideman in New York for more than 20 years, Beckham has toured with/performed and/or recorded with a diverse list of groups and musicians including Brad Shepik's "Across the Way" quartet, George Schuller’s Circle Wide, JC Sanford’s Jazz Orchestra, jazz guitarist Rale Micic, the Motown/Soul group The Soul Night Band, jazz vocalist Jaclyn Guillou; the swing-era ensembles of Lapis Luna, Flying Home, and Bliss Blood; Joseph C. Phillips’ Numinous Ensemble; cellist Jody Redhage’s Fire In July; the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP); pop/lounge artist Betty Black, as well as session work for TV networks such as PBS and HBO.

“Here’s someone who makes the vibraphone sound like the most grand of jazz instruments.”—John Book/thisisbooksmusic.com

“Beckham’s approach is reminiscent of older band leaders like Paul Motian and Chico Hamilton, but Beckham’s work has a sound all its own—which is what jazz is really about.”—Rhapsody.com

“…the hidden treasure.”—The NYC Jazz Record

“…the secret star of an outstanding team with his symphonic way of unfolding sound and his subtle blends.”—Südkurier Constance

Artist website: www.tombeckham.net

Tags

25
Album Review

Mike Neer: Steelonious

Read "Steelonious" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Early in his musical career, pianist and composer Thelonious Monk was ordained the “Hight Priest of Bebop." This sounds more like a disingenuous pronouncement by an overeager period critic than any credible music reportage. Monk's essential musical approach owed more to stride, blues, and swing than to Charlie Parker's and Dizzy Gillespie's bebop. Monk's technical brilliance, if one could call it that, was not geared toward the “technique" of rapid and complexly rendered chord changes. Monk's brilliance lay somewhere much ...

190
Album Review

Tom Beckham: Rebound

Read "Rebound" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins


In the simplest terms, to rebound is to bounce back. Many people associate it with a statistic in basketball, or the recovery from heartbreak. Musically, it describes what happens when a mallet strikes a vibraphone, or the bouncing off of ideas during improvisation. Tom Beckham does both with Rebound. Beckham is a Maryland native and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. A sideman for 20 years, he's performed with musicians such as Seamus Blake, Donny McCaslin, ...

165
Album Review

Tom Beckham: Rebound

Read "Rebound" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Catchy tunes and intelligent soloing do not a masterpiece make, but they do create a memorable and enjoyable listening experience. Tom Beckham's third album as a leader finds him in sympathetic, although slightly overbearing, company of saxophonist Chris Cheek and a rhythm section led by pianist Henry Hey. Beckham has a unique approach to the vibraphone and does not sound like anyone else. He also composed all the pieces here--smartly crafted, varied and complex enough to be ...

457
Album Review

Tom Beckham: Rebound

Read "Rebound" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Tom Beckham has a refreshing approach to the vibraphone. He plays it with a gentle ear for harmony and development, with ideas that are wrapped in crystalline notes. Beckham resides in New York where he teaches and plays. The latter has seen him as part of bands led by Michael Musillami and Sam Bardfield as well as in collaborations with artists including Ben Monder, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Michael Blake. Rebound is his third release as a leader.

The ...

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121

Performance / Tour

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham at Cornelia Street Cafe

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham at Cornelia Street Cafe

Source: All About Jazz

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham Group

Vibraphonist Tom Beckhams new CD Rebound (2008) builds upon the group sound achieved on his previous release, Center Songs (2005) which critics and fans agree “has a sound all its own (Rhapsody.com), with terrific charts, a great sound and an impressive performance” (ejazznews.com). Hes as much a tune smith as a performer (KKJZ). Beckham's playing has been described by critics as “intimate and lyrical" by Bob Bernotas, WNTI, “vibrant and colorful" by allaboutjazz.com, and “delightful and ...

135

Performance / Tour

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham CD Release at Smalls Jazz on December 16

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham CD Release at Smalls Jazz on December 16

Source: All About Jazz

December 16, 2008 - 10:30pm Smalls Jazz Club 183 West 10th Street New York, NY Featuring: Chris - Cheek - saxes Henry Hey - piano Matt Pavolka - bass Ferenc Nemeth - drums Recent Press “Tom Beckham has a refreshing approach to the vibraphone. He plays it with a gentle ear for harmony and development, with ideas that are wrapped in crystalline notes." -- ...

181

Performance / Tour

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham at the Bar Next Door November 15th

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham at the Bar Next Door November 15th

Source: Powderfinger Promotions

WHO: TOM BECKHAM TRIO Tom Beckham - vibraphone Chris Higgins - bass Ferenc Nemeth - drums

WHEN: Saturday, November 15th sets at 9pm & 11:15

WHERE: The Bar Next Door (a.k.a. LaLanterna) 129 MacDougal St New York, NY 10012 (212) 529-5945

COST: $10.00 cover all night

Copies of the new CD “Rebound" will be available for purchase. UPCOMING DATES 12/10 - TOM ...

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Event

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham at Brooklyn Lyceum Wednesday, April 9

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham at Brooklyn Lyceum Wednesday, April 9

Source: All About Jazz

Wednesday Jazz at the BROOKLYN LYCEUM WHO: Tom Beckham Quartet featuring: Tom Beckham -Vibraphone Chris Cheek - Saxes Matt Clohesy - Bass Gorge Schuller - Drums WHEN: Wednesday, April 9th 8pm - 2 sets! $10 WHERE: Brooklyn Lyceum 227 4th ave near Union Street N,R trains Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Park Slope)

Look for the new CD ...

105

Performance / Tour

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham Quartet, Feb. 25 at Spike Hill, Brooklyn

Vibraphonist Tom Beckham Quartet, Feb. 25 at Spike Hill, Brooklyn

Source: All About Jazz


146

Performance / Tour

Vibist Tom Beckham at Jazz Improv Live Festival, Sat 11/27

Vibist Tom Beckham at Jazz Improv Live Festival, Sat 11/27

Source: All About Jazz

Tom Beckham Group 2007 Jazz Improv! Live festival WHEN: Saturday, October 27th, 1pm-2pm WHERE: The Manhattan Center 311 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 featuring Tom Beckham - vibraphone Chris Cheek - saxes Henry Hey - piano Matt Clohesy - bass Ferenc Nemeth - drums UPCOMING: Thursday November 1st Tom Beckham Quartet feat. Brad Shepik Tom Beckham - vibes ...

147

Performance / Tour

Vibist Tom Beckham at Twins Jazz, Washington DC, Oct. 26th

Vibist Tom Beckham at Twins Jazz, Washington DC, Oct. 26th

Source: All About Jazz

TOM BECKHAM GROUP at Twins Jazz 1344 U. St. NW Washington, DC (202) 234-0072 www.twinsjazz.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26th, 2006 8pm $12 cover

Celebrating the release of his new CD Center Songs (Sunnyside/Apria)

Featuring:

Tom Beckham - vibraphone Chris Cheek - saxes Henry Hey - piano Dave Ambrosio - bass Diego Voglino - drums

Celebrating his second CD as a leader, ...

95

Performance / Tour

Vibist Tom Beckham at Fat Cat this weekend

Vibist Tom Beckham at Fat Cat this weekend

Source: All About Jazz


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Performance / Tour

Vibist Tom Beckham at Cornelia Street Cafe Sunday, June 5th

Vibist Tom Beckham at Cornelia Street Cafe Sunday, June 5th

Source: All About Jazz

Tom Beckham Group with Chris Cheek Sunday June 5th Cornelia Street Cafe 8:30Pm-11Pm May 31, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: TOM BECKHAM [email protected] www.tombeckham.net Tom Beckham Group with Chris Cheek Tom Beckham - vibes, compostions, Chris Cheek - saxes, Bryn Roberts - piano, John Hebert -bass, Diego Voglino - drums Sunday Jun. 5th Cornelia Street Cafe / Cornelia Street Cafe, 29 Cornelia Street, NYC / ...

"one of the top 10 New Releases of 2008." - Paul Blair/Hothouse Magazine

"...here's someone who makes the vibraphone sound like the most grand of jazz instruments." /- John Book, thisisbooksmusic.com/

"Brooklyn-based vibraphonist Tom Beckham is a lyrical player with a flair for writing distinctive, memorable tunes." - Jazz.com

Primary Instrument

Vibraphone

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Keepin’ It Real

Self Produced
2021

buy

Steelonious

Self Produced
2016

buy

Rebound

Apria Records
2009

buy

Rebound

Apria Records
2008

buy

Center Songs

HighNote
2006

buy

Videos

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