The Cliff Henricksen Band is a Boston-area ensemble, including music veterans Cliff Henricksen, Tom Beier, Tom Yates, and Gary Jenkins, playing an authentic mix of New American Rock and Soulâ„¢. The band, described by Chris Bergeron of the Metrowest Daily news as “four very talented area musicians-vocalists who’ve ridden virtually every major musical wave from rock to blues and jazz to funk which they whip together into their own heady brew.â€, brings more than 100 years combined musical experience in garage bands, recording sessions with big names, touring groups, the Boston Club scene and beyond.
Cliff Henricksen was born in Kew Gardens, NY, and began playing piano in 1957, learning to play by ear listening to recordings of Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Bobby Peterson and Little Richard. These artists became a permanent influence. In 1966, inspired by Billy Preston’s organ playing, he purchased a Hammond organ and Leslie loudspeaker with prize money he won as an engineering student. He started playing the top-40 club circuit in the Boston area “combat zone†while a graduate student at MIT pursuing a masters degree in mechanical engineering.
In 1968 he moved to Philadelphia and began composing music and co-founded "Marbleheart". This 4-member band secured recording contracts with Don Kirschner/Scepter Records, where the Shirells and BJ Thomas also recorded. His band later recorded with Thom Bell/Tommy Records, the arranger for Gamble & Huff, resulting in two single record releases. He worked as studio musician on organ and piano in Philadelphia area studios and played in the Philly/South Jersey area top-40 club circuit. One song, "Faith Healing Remedy" was placed on a Marjoe album. Since then, Cliff has played in California clubs such as the Troubadour, Blue Lagoon Saloon, and Topanga Corral, in the Southern Michigan club scene, back to Philly/South Jersey, playing with the now-“famous†AllStars rock & blues band and in local clubs including Harper’s Ferry, the Sit’n Bull Pub and the House of Blues. Cliff was also multi-keyboardist with “The Linemen†an official Bose Corporation demonstration band for the L1 loudspeaker system, touring the US, Canada and Europe.As a composer, Cliff has a catalog is over 200 songs, most in the form of a high-quality recordings, and is co-author of a musical play “America The Musical†in collaboration with playwright Michael Downey.
Tom Yates was born in Houston, Texas and now makes his home in Stow, MA. After briefly studying guitar and piano at the Berklee College of Music he played on numerous Boston-area recording sessions, including projects with Ric Ocasek, Ben Orr and Greg Hawkes (THE CARS). After touring with the ESTES BOYS in the '70's, Tom played with FAIR, YATES AND BETSCHART, a trio performing an eclectic mix of pop, folk and art rock music to standing-room only crowds. In his collection of over 25 vintage and custom guitars Tom selects a '63 Strat and a '68 Les PaulCustom as his favorites. Tom gets inspiration from the work of Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Danny Gatton, Lenny Breau, Johnny Winter, David Lyndley, and Chet Atkins.
Tom Beier was born and raised in the scenic town of Duluth, Minnesota on the tip of the Lake Superior. He grew up in a musical family. In the 6th grade he landed his first paying gig playing drums with an established cover band. He was also a featured soloist in the Duluth Boys Chorus. Tom moved to Miami, FL to join the rock group SUNLENDING as lead singer and keyboardist. The band toured the US and went on to record with producer-engineer Eric Schilling (Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Shakira.) It was during this time Tom learned his way around the studio and honed his songwriting and production chops. Tom then moved on and formed BEiER Rhythms (pronounced Buyer Rhythms) with lyricist Rossi Kane. Since then BEiER Rhythms award-winning music has aired on major network TV and has been covered by other artists. Currently Tom works out his studio, THE SONIC PALACE in Framingham, Massachusetts continually writing and producing for a variety of projects.
GW Jenkins is a veteran of the Boston music scene and has been playing professionally in the area for many years. As bassist and vocalist, he brings a diverse background to the group acquired from a wide variety of musical styles. Originally from New York, and raised in Europe he is presently living in Acton where he operates his own recording studio. He is an accomplished songwriter, producer ,engineer and plays the Steinberger/Synapse bass as an endorsing artist.
