Joe Beck R.I.P.

[Bilbo]

Joe Beck was an American guitarist who had been notable in jazz for more than 30 years. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Beck also briefly flirted with rock music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Beck played in a variety of jazz mediums, including jazz fusion, post bop, mainstream jazz and soul jazz. He played and recorded with numerous artists, including: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Paul Desmond, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Ali Ryerson, Larry Coryell, Gene Ammons, Sergio Mendez, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jimmy Bruno, Laura Nyro, Houston Person, Roger Kellaway, Richie Havens, Paul Simon, Joe Farrell, James Brown, David Sanborn and Gato Barbieri. Beck died in Woodbury, Connecticut on 22nd July, due to complications from lung cancer.

So why Joe Beck mentioned on a bass fourm?

In the early 1970s, Joe entered the hotel room of a double bass player he was working alongside and found him playing a newly acquired electric bass, a Gibson EB-0. He took the bass off the bass player and played it with a plectrum, ripping complex jazz lines and sophisitcated chords out of the instrument. The bass player, impressed at what he had seen Beck accomplish, ditched the double bass and has played the electric ever since and, what's more, he has played it with a plectrum.

The bass player was Steve Swallow.

Rest in peace, Joe.

[6stringbassist]

I didn't recollect the name, but I've heard that story before, Steve is an amazing player, who gets a great sound.

I was listening to the John Schofield trio album 'En route' the other day, amazing.

[franzbassist]

His "Friends" album is one of my favourites when I'm in the mood for jazz. Great player.

[Alun]

Another one gone It;s not been a good year for jazzers - Joe, Hiram Bullock, Dave Carpenter, Esborrn Svensson.

RIP

Alun

[Bilbo]

And Johnny Griffin last Friday.