Gordon Beck
b. 16 September 1936, London, England. Beck, unlike many of his contemporaries, did not ‘pay his dues’ with the show and dance bands of the era. He studied piano at school but opted for a career as a draughtsman. It was exposure in Canada to the popular playing of George Shearing and Dave Brubeck that persuaded Beck to return to music and back in England he progressed rapidly, working with Bobby Wellins, Tony Crombie and others. In 1962, Beck joined the Tubby HayesQuintet with whom he recorded. In 1965 he formed a trio with Tony Oxleyand Jeff Clyne, and then spent a number of years as house pianist at Ronnie Scott's club where he played behind Joe Henderson, Lee Konitz, Helen Merrill and others. During this period Beck played with Phil Woods and when George Gruntz left Woods's band in 1969, Beck was asked to join. Tours of Europe and the USA followed exposing the pianist to universal accolade: the critic, Jean-Louis Ginibre said at the time ‘Phil called in the only other pianist in Europe who could fill the chair’. Beck developed as a composer with Woods, his compositions have been recorded by Cleo Laine and Gary Burton. After 1972, Beck worked with his trio, his larger group, Gyroscope, with Don Sebesky and with Piano Conclave, the six keyboard group led by George Gruntz. During the '80s he has toured regularly in Europe, and most successfully in France, where he has also recorded solo projects and albums with Allan Holdsworth and Helen Merrill. Beck is one of the few English jazz musicians whose work bears comparison with his influences, of whom he has named particularly Bud Powell, Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock.