Gerald, grew up in Beaumont, Texas, started playing alto saxophone at the age of 11. As a freshman at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas he switched to playing the flute. During his years as an undergraduate at UNT he played with various local bands. Mindful of how unpredictable making a living as a musician could be, he studied business and received his BBA in Administrative Management.
It wasn't until moving to San Francisco in 1985 that he began immersing himself in the jazz scene.Gerald has played in several venues in and around San Francisco, such as Rassales Jazz Club, Club Jazz Nouveau, Bistro Yoffi’s and the Fillmore Jazz Festival, either as a leader or as a sideman. He spent 8 years studying flute at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Yada Weber, giving recitals of works by Mozart, Telemann, Gluck, and Ernest BlochHe has produced three CDs, each receiving national airplay and recognition. Flute Vibes - (Summit Records 2006), Jazz Week Chart ranking
14
Traveling West - (Summit Records 2004) Jazz Week Chart ranking 36
Black Eyes - (Wolfetones Records 2002) Jazz Week Chart ranking 50Grammy Ballot nominee for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group Category :
Flute Vibes - 2006
Traveling West - 2004
Black Eyes – 2002National publication reviews :
Jazz Times Magazine August 2006 volume 36/number 6 (CD – Flute Vibes - 2006)
Jazz Magazines online recognition :
Sounds of Timeless Jazz - January 2006 Artist of the Month
Radioio Jazz – Flute Vibes - featured CD January 2006Reviews :
- FluteVibes - Gerald Beckett leads this quintet and sextet session which features his flute in a program of inspired jazz tunes. Each selection swings with a balance of hard bop and blues. Beckett’s recommended second Summit album soars with magic vibrations that pique the senses.
Jim Santella-AllAboutJazz
- From start to finish, FluteVibes is one of the best flute jazz recordings I've ever heard.
Art Heriot - Jazz Music Director - WECS 90.1 FM
- Gerald Beckett is rapidly becoming one of the jazz genre’s most admired flautists. On FLUTEVIBES, his sophomore release for Summit Records, Beckett reveals his affinity for songs that swing, seduce and soothe in such a melodic way that lovers of the jazz flute’s sound will simply be unable to forget them or his great performances any time soon.
Paula Edelstein - Music Journalist and critic for Sounds of Timeless Jazz
- Flute Vibes finds Beckett really coming into his own, both as soloist and arranger. The whole project, from the selection of the material to the execution of the arrangements, reveals Beckett's thoughtful craftsmanship.
Peter Westbrook - JazzReview
- "FluteVibes" - "FOUR STARS" ...Highly Recommended...!!!!
Ken Dryden - AllMusic
- FluteVibes - Beckett exhibits his virtuosity and ability to reach his audience emotionally through different feelings on each track.
Marcia Hillman - AllAboutJazz
- With all the saxophone players out there today, the number of jazz flute artists is minuscule by comparison. Beckett shows that he belongs in the mix and has both the skills and style to be a force in this underrepresented genre.â€
Carmen Miller - JazzUSA.com
