Joe Beck

Joe Beck (July 29, 1945 ? July 22, 2008)[1] was an American guitarist who had been notable in jazz for more than 30 years. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Beck also briefly flirted with rock music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Beck played in a variety of jazz mediums, including jazz fusion, post bop, mainstream jazz and soul jazz. Beck began as a member of the Gil Evans orchestra. In 1970 he released Rock Encounter on Polydor Records.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Beck also briefly flirted with rock music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Beck played in a variety of jazz mediums, including jazz fusion, post bop, mainstream jazz and soul jazz.

Beck began as a member of the Gil Evans orchestra.

In 1970 he released Rock Encounter on Polydor Records. In 1975 he released a self-titled album for Kudu Records. With Esther Phillips, he released an album, What a Diff'rence a Day Makes in 1975 on Kudu Records.

In the 1980s Beck recorded several CD's for the DMP Digital Music Products label, including co-billed work with the noted flautist Ali Ryerson.

In 2000, he released a collaboration with Jimmy Bruno, Polarity.[1]

He played and recorded with numerous artists, including: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Paul Desmond, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Kenny Rankin, Ali Ryerson, Larry Coryell, Gene Ammons, Sergio Mendez, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dom Um Romão, Sabicas, Jimmy Bruno, Laura Nyro, Houston Person, Roger Kellaway, Richie Havens, Paul Simon, Joe Farrell, James Brown, David Sanborn and Gato Barbieri.

Beck died in Woodbury, Connecticut of complications from lung cancer on July 22nd 2008.