Beau Karnaghan is an extremely gifted young drummer. Expressively in touch with a broad range of musical styles Beau has a mature approach to music, its fundamental’s and the journey it takes him upon.Born in 1986 Beau Karnaghan was born into an exceptionally talented family who thrived off music. The son of a Singer/Guitarist (Deb Conway) and Tap Dancer, Beau began performing around Melbourne at a very early age.With music on either side of his family, Beau was involved with his uncle Cameron Speirs a classically trained pianist who has a degree for piano and is a highly regarded music teacher. From watching his uncle play gig’s compose, direct and perform musical’s to watching Jimmy Barnes and John Farnham perform intense shows across Australia, and listen to albums such as Close To The Edge (YES), Chain Reaction (Farnsy) Yes Live, Pink Floyd and other inspirational albums. Beau knew that live shows were what he wanted to perform and so the journey begins…Performing small talent quest’s and gig’s around his local neighbourhood saw Beau gain live experience that he needed and land his first break performing the musical …And all that jazz and the following years, Grease and On Broadway.Undertaking drum lesson’s and performance classes Beau continued to study drum set theory, music theory, and found a new passion for the piano. Taking piano lessons off Cameron Speirs helped Beau understand more about the world of music and how to work with a composer and understand the fundamental’s of scoring music.In 1999 Beau entered high school and formed with band’s and musicians alike who shared the same passion he did. Joining the school’s Big Band saw Beau gain the biggest experience not only his technical ability but also sight-reading.In 2000 Beau joined up with his now mentor, singer/songwriter/drummer Sarath Assedumage. Study 20th century music with Sarath broadened Beau’s playing ability and also took a step back in time to explore what had happened music wise before 1986. Landing his first corporate gig at Victorian University (Melbourne) in the CBD, Beau performed a two-hour set of powerhouse 20th Century music, including a drum and tabla drum off with Sarath.Taking a break from live performance and bands Beau put his head down in the music theory books and studied music on the drum set, piano and guitar intensely for two years. Meeting the likes of Sam Aliano, Chad Wakerman, Todd Byrnes, Darryn Farrugia and Jack Jones in 2001 sparked the intense passion to perform Jazz Fusion live. Playing in his own fusion band Beau performed around Melbourne and hit the pub scene for the first time. While this band only lasted a mere moment in time, Beau continued his studies.Late 2003 saw Beau team up with art metal band ‘Greyn’, the band recruited Beau as a session drummer to fill in for a late line up change but then went on to join Greyn as a member. Two month’s later beau helped record ‘Greyn’s’ second EP “Beckher†under the guidance of Mark Jacob. Accompanying “Beckher†was a film clip for the song, Directed and Produced by Nick Calpakjian, which had National television airplay and also Internationally in New Zealand.Commencing final V.C.E studies in 2004 Beau committed to his time to performing piece’s for final exams in Music and Theatre/Drama. Receiving high distinctions in both subject’s he moved on from high school and started teaching drums and piano in his home studio.Successfully releasing his ‘solo’s’ DVD in 2006, Beau is now continuing to write music for his solo album which is going to be a bloody ripper. Performing clinic’s for Pearl, Teaching, Recording, Writing, Playing for JF Band,DWTS, Supremacy, Hayley Couper, Cirque Du Soleil, BKMusique Students, Vincent Giles, PBS Bitches Brew band and The Dave Weckl Transitions Band.Let Beau rock the hell out of you and take you on a musical journey onward and upward. -Jeff Glorfeld The Age Melbourne.
