About Me
The Kings of Strings was formed in 2000 by Gerry Beaudoin and Jay Geils as an acoustic quintet that harkens back to another era. A disciple of mandolin virtuoso David Grisman, who has appeared as the guest artist of the Gerry Beaudoin Trio on two award winning recordings, (Minor Swing and Just Among Friends) Gerry formed the Kings Of Strings to return to his acoustic jazz roots. Gerry has appeared on over forty recordings and performed or recorded with many jazz and blues luminaries including Howard Alden, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Jay McShann, Carol Sloan, Dick Johnson, leader of the Artie Shaw Band, Fred Lipsius from the seminal jazz-rock group Blood Sweat and Tears, Alan Dawson and Randy Bachman from the Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive. Since 1994 Gerry and his longtime collaborator, two time Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame nominee Jay Geils, leader and founder of the J.Geils Band, have toured the USA and Canada, thrilling audiences with their brand of mainstream, roots oriented American jazz.Rock superstar turned jazz guitarist, Jay Geils from the legendary J.Geils Band, plays interesting solos and lays down tight, four to the floor rhythm guitar for Gerry and the rest of the band. A member along with Gerry and blues legend Duke Robillard of the concert attraction New Guitar Summit, Jay shows his affinity and skill in soloing in the tradition of the great American jazz guitar masters. The legion of music fans that made the J.Geils Band one of the top attractions in rock and roll history and bought over sixteen million recordings, have not been disappointed in this career switch of Jay’s. Now that he finds himself at home more than the road, Jay has become an avid and enthusiastic educator. He has lectured at colleges including Harvard, Holy Cross and Berklee College of Music.Longtime Gerry Beaudoin trio bassist Bob Nieske, holds the bottom down, and also contributes creative, interesting solos. A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music with a Masters degree in composition, Bob is also the Jazz Artist In Residence at the prestigious Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Bob has performed or recorded with a such notable jazz legends as guitarists Larry Coryell and Charlie Byrd, legendary jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, chamber jazz reed man, composer Jimmy Guiffre and blues guitarists Ronnie Earl and Duke Robillard. A composer of note Bob has even recorded his own compositions with the world famous Lydian String Quartet.Another renowned educator, Les Harris, lays down the groove on drums. Along with his busy teaching schedule, Les is one of New England's first call drummers performing with many of the areas top jazz artists including: Herb Pomeroy, Donna Byrne, Gray Sargent, Dick Johnson, Ray Santisi, Rebecca Parris and Marshall Wood. He is also a regular member of the Paul Broadnax Quintet, the Jim Howe Trio and the Mark Kleinhaut Trio.Aaron Weinstein, a 22 year old, jazz violin sensation has become the latest member of the Kings Of Strings. His talent exhibits maturity far beyond his age. With technique and tone reminiscent of jazz violin legend Stephane Grappelli, he has performed with jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli and John Pizzarelli as well as Skitch Henderson, Frank Vignola, Claude Fiddler Williams, Johnny Frigo and the legendary Les Paul. Aaron recently completed his second CD for Arbors jazz in a duo performance with John Pizzarelli.
