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| Beth grew up in a world filled with music. Her family owned Lederman Music Company, one of Arizona’s largest music store chains. With a whole store filled with pianos, all begging to be played, what was a young girl to do? Learn to play! Determined not to waste any time, she began classical study at the age of 5. She quickly mastered the basics and then branched out into jazz and classical. If you’re good at jazz and classical, you can play any style of music—and Beth does. |
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| Education | |||
Beth received private lessons during her childhood before attending Lewis & Clark College, Mt. Hood Community College (both in Oregon), and NAU in Flagstaff, studying jazz and classical music and playing with the jazz ensembles. Beth received her B.A. in Music, Cum Laude, from ASU in 1990. After graduation, she continued to refine her technique by studying privately with Chuck Marohnic for a number of years.
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| Copyright © 2010 Beth Lederman | |||
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| Band Leader Positions | |
| Beth leads several groups that play around the Valley and are currently available for performances. | |
| The Beth Lederman Jazz Group | |
| This group melds the worlds of Latin music and jazz, both traditional and contemporary. Latin music, which comprises the bulk of the repertoire and for which Beth has a passion, is represented by Cuban and Brazilian rhythms—salsa and cha-cha, mixed with samba, bossa-nova, and calypso. This group is high energy and fun and can easily switch to playing more mainstream jazz and swing music, including works by George Gershwin and Cole Porter, among others. A classic trio of piano, bass, and drums composes the core of the group with either percussion and/or a horn player added depending on the situation. |
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| The Beth Lederman Jazz Group was on the Arizona Arts Commission Artist roster for a number of years and played throughout Arizona, including a week-long tour of Mexico in 1990. They have played many private functions and concerts, including the Primavera Women’s Jazz Festival in Tucson and theMcDowell Sonoran Jazz Festival, a residency and concert at Western Arizona College in 2008. | |||||||||||||||
| Novo Mundo | |||||||||||||||
| Brazilian Jazz is the specialty of this popular group which Beth has band-led since 2000. The group has two CDs available on itunes and on CD Baby. Featuring the vocals and guitar playing of Kay Peper, Felix Sainz on the bass, Todd Chuba on drums, and Joe Garcia on percussion, the group has enchanted Valley audiences for many years with their unique sound. They have played festivals, concerts, and clubs and were members of the AZ Commission on the Arts Artist Roster List for over 7 years. Novo Mundo has an extensive e-mail list of fans and a devoted local following. For a complete bio of the group visit their website at www.novomundo1.com | |||||||||||||||
| The Beth Lederman Quintet | |||||||||||||||
| The Beth Lederman Quintet was on the Arizona Arts Commission Artist Roster List from 1991 to 1995 featuring a "Roots of Jazz" program, and still performs for private functions, playing for residencies and concerts throughout Arizona including: Sierra Vista, Page, Chinle, Casa Grande, Globe, Yuma, Sedona, Patagonia, and Tubac, as well as: | |||||||||||||||
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| Con Clave: featuring original works, Latin music, and Salsa | |||||||||||||||
| This latin group features the Spanish and English vocals of Leon Santiago. With a contemporary sound and an eclectic repertoire, the group blends rock and Latin rhythms in an upbeat, fun, and funky mix. Mike Ozuna on electric guitar, Emerson Laffey on drumset, Xavier Yanez on bass, and Tony Valenzuela on percussion. | |||||||||||||||
| Past performances include Sedona Hillside Music Festival, 2009; Casa Grande Summer Concert Series, 2009; and various private performances, local clubs, and restaurants. | |||||||||||||||
| Solo Piano | |||||||||||||||
| Beth is an experienced pianist who is very comfortable playing solo piano in a variety of circumstances. Her repertoire includes pop music by such artists as Sting, Billy Joel, and Jack Johnson as well as an extensive repertoire of jazz and Latin standards. Recent engagements include a steady performance at the Royal Palms Hotel in Phoenix, and past engagements at the Arizona Biltmore, Sassie restaurant, and innumerable private functions. | |||||||||||||||
| Copyright © 2010 Beth Lederman | |||||||||||||||
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| Musical Director Positions | |
| Musical director and co-leader for the five-piece all-female band Sophia from 1993 to 1995. Sophia was a popular band with the Arizona Arts Commission and performed residencies and concerts in Globe, Kingman, Tubac, Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, Patagonia, and Phoenix. | |
| Musical Director and keyboardist for a national touring production of Phantom of the Opera in 1990 which played throughout the United States and Canada. | |
Past musical director for the Brazilian band "Zum,Zum,Zum," and for the 7-piece salsa band "Mas!"
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| Musical Experience | |||||||||||||||||||
| Although her main love is jazz, Beth excels at playing many different musical styles and has played with a variety of groups including: | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Beth has also accompanied several vocalists including Nancy Gee, Sherry Roberson, and Delphine Cortez. Steady engagements have included Timothy's, the Arizona Biltmore, the Radison, the Four Seasons Resort, and the Hyatt Gainey Ranch where she currently performs weekly with steel drum/marimba artist Paul McDermand. | |||
| Beth has also played with, Donald O’Connor, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Pete Magadini, Nancy King, and Poncho Sanchez. She has also accompanied many local vocalists including Nancy Gee, Sherry Roberson, Alice Tatum, Dianna Lee, and Delphine Cortez. Steady engagements have included Timothy’s, the Arizona Biltmore, the Radison, the Four Seasons Resort, and the Hyatt Gainey Ranch where she performed weekly with steel drum/marimba artist Paul McDermand for over 20 years. | |||
| Beth has extensive experience in the liturgical field, having played steadily at the Franciscan Renewal Center, St. Simon & Jude Cathedral, All Saints Episcopal Church, Trinity Center of New Thought, as well as performing and band-leading at the L.A. Catholic Congress for 3 different years and freelancing in a variety of churches and denominations throughout the Phoenix area. | |||
| Copyright © 2010 Beth Lederman | |||
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| Other Performance Highlights | |
| Bandleader for a 9-piece Brazilian orchestra for the 2008 Brazilian Ambassador’s Ball. | |
| School Residencies and community performances throughout Arizona including Tubac, Wickenburg, Page, Globe, Sierra Vista, Flagstaff, Chinle, Ajo, Tucson, Sedona, and Nogales. | |
| An eight-city bi-national tour of Mexico with her own band in 1994. | |
| Papal vigil, Denver, Colo., and pre-papal vigil, Portland, Ore., 1993. |
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| International Festival Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico, and bi-national tour of Mexico with Sonya Jason Band, 1990. |
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| Season on Mackinac Island, Michigan at the Grand Hotel, 1990. | |||
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| Copyright © 2010 Beth Lederman | |||
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| Discography | |
| Bob McCarroll: "In Your Dreams," recorded 2008 at Big Bug Sound, www.mccarrollmusic.com. | |
| Mark Walth: "That's Why He Came," recorded 2009, produced by Pete Pancrazi. | |
| "Torch," compositions by Ellie Leighton, Dianna Lee - vocals, Beth Lederman - piano. | |
| For Yemaya Records: assistant producer and musician for Novo Mundo's Espirito Do Brazil (2002); played on and produced Novo Mundo's Se Queres Saber (1999). |
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| With Pete Pancrazi on A Christmas Collection (2002). | |||
| With Paul McDermand on Nozzle Nose Records: Spanish Eyes (2002), Still (1999), Sailing (1997), and Romanza (1996). | |||
| With Jim Nistico and the Jazz Express on Live at the San Marcos (2000). | |||
| With Ron Jean on Blue Serenity (2000). | |||
| For GIA Recording Label with Rory Cooney, Theresa Donohoo, and Gary Daigle: Stony Landscapes, Vision, Cries of the Spirit, SafetyHarbor, Psalms of the Church Year, and Lost and Found (recorded from 1989 to 1995). | |||
| With Donna Pena on GIA Recording Label: Mass of the Nations (1998), El Salvador (1994), A New Heaven, A New Earth (1993), and La Tierra, La Gente (1991). | |||
| Cassette Beth Lederman (released in 1992). | |||
| Guest Appearances: | |||
| Mosaico's Amor (2003). | |||
| Tammy Patrick’s The White Album (1999) for Rustic Records. | |||
| Copyright © 2010 Beth Lederman | |||
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| History | |
| Banda Três: featuring Brazilian music, World music | |
| From 2007-2008 Beth organized the group Banda Três which brought together music from around the world to create a beautiful and exciting new sound. The group was multi-lingual, featuring the vocals of Salomé, who sang in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French. They were joined by Caji (Carlos Santos) on guitar and vocals, and a fantastic rhythm section composed of bass, drums, and percussion. |
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| Performances by Band Três included: | |||
| The Borgata Concert Series—The Mayo Clinic | |||
| Jazz in Arizona Members Party | |||
| Jazz in the Hills Concert Series | |||
| "A Taste of the Arts"—West Valley Arts Council | |||
| "Fabulous Phoenix Fourth"—Steele Indian School Park Sacred Grounds Concert Series | |||
| The Scottsdale Hilton Summer Music Series | |||
| Copyright © 2010 Beth Lederman | |||
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| Beth Lederman is a bright, articulate person across an interview table or behind her keyboards. Anyone who has seen and heard her perform…can attest to her immense talents. She is deserving of this first Musician of the Month Award and the firm support of the jazz community and jazz-loving patrons of this, or any area. |
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| —From Jazz Notes, Jazz in Az Newsletter, 1995 | |
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| "You were spectacular!!!! I appreciate you sharing your gift of music with us in this clinic. After you left we immediately put away the square music that we were rehearsing and attacked the difficult section of "Sunny." Their ears were primed to hear close harmonies and then we invited people to come sing the melody, concert style. The directions were to stay close to the melody, but to also make their own by not singing exactly what was on the page. Usually we have 2 - 4 people volunteer. Tonight we had 9. That's great. Perhaps the biggest compliment to you is that our accompanist, who doesn't play jazz at all, said she could spend many more hours listening to your explanations and demonstrations. I, too, was completely impressed and engaged. You were far more than I had imagined. Hopefully, we can have you back. | |
| Cary Burns, Director of Tempe Community Chorus, July 2010 | |
| "Wonderful night! The head of the music program was thoroughly impressed with your sensitive, skillful renderings; not a surprise to those of us who enjoy the privilege of having you on stage. Thank you most sincerely." | |
| Paul McDermand, Band Leader, December 2009 | |
| Dear Beth, You can't imagine how mundane the awards chapel was before your arrival. I am so impressed with how you entertain and tie it all together without ever overpowering the event. I thoroughly enjoy the music you play so beautifully. Thanks!! | |
| Candace Wilkinson, All Saints | |
| Beth, thanks so much. Your music was wonderful. We all enjoyed it! This was our first event with live music and we heard from several members and guests how much they enjoyed the music! I am sure we will be in touch for next year's event. It was nice meeting you and thanks again for beautiful music you play. Must be nice to have such a talent. | |
| —Becca Cornwell, VA Local 469 | |
| I can hear why you are excited about the band. Great sound and a real feel for the music. . . if you don't understand the music, you can never truly showcase it. Keep on Swingin'. | |
| —Allan "AJ" Lavoie, CHRW Radio London Ontario Canada, 2006 | |
| UTTERLY RAVE REVIEWS FOR BETH FROM EVERYONE TONIGHT! | |
| —Dwight Brewer, pianist, Royal Palms Hotel, 2007 | |
| What can I say but "Great Job!" Your performance was superb on April 8th, 2005, at the garden . . . You are such an easy group to work with and you are fabulous together. | |
| —Lisa Buchner, Desert Botanical Garden, 2005 | |
| Thanks for an incredible "Sold Out" performance at the Desert Botanical Garden! | |
| —Jill Thomas, Desert Botanical Garden, 2004 | |
| Please accept this . . . thank you for providing excellent musical entertainment for the 2003 "An Evening of Goodwill." Thank you also for accommodating our limited budget without any compromise in quality! | |
| —2003 Evening of Goodwill Event Committee | |
| October 4th was another memorable night for Zoo-fari. We received many compliments on the evening's entertainment. Thanks for joining us. Hope we can work together again. | |
| —Marjorie Fink, Phoenix Zoo, 2003 | |
| They were excellent! Very much aware of how to engage elementary-age children—and their music was tremendous! | |
| —Valerie Gorodensky, Principal of Mary C. O'Brien School, Casa Grande, 2002 | |
| Thank you so much for your performance at Center D.O.A.R.'s recent benefit concert. Your music was terrific. I especially appreciate your willingness to perform on short notice. | |
| —Elizabeth Brunstein, Executive Director Center D.O.A.R., 2001 | |
| Thank you so much for the beautiful background music you presented during our annual Employee Excellence Awards breakfast. We heard many wonderful comments about your playing. You certainly added a touch of class to our event. | |
| —Pam Lindley, City of Phoenix, 2000 | |
| Thank you, thank you for everything you did to make our wedding so memorable! The music was better than I could have ever imagined. | |
| —Jessica Bundschuh, 1998 | |
| Copyright © 2010 Beth Lederman |
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| Beth can be reached by email, | |
| by snail mail at: Beth Lederman P.O. Box 26419 Phoenix, Arizona 85068 |
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| or by phone at: 602-861-1528 |
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YouTube video: The Adam Clark Group with Beth - piano, Cleo - vocalist, Bob McCarroll - guitar, Felix Sainz - bass, and Adam Clark - drums playing at Metro Brasserie. |
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4SfXrslSfU | |
| YouTube video: The fantastic jazz group, Jazz Con Alma, Beth - piano, Mary Petrich - sax, Felix Sainz - bass, Dan Tomlinson - drums, and Dave Cook - drums | |
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2xsf3nJznM | |
| YouTube video: "Glendale Glitters" at Murphy Park, music from The Pete Pancrazi Quartet's "A Christmas Collection." Pete Pancrazi - guitar & vocal, Beth Lederman - piano, Vic Kottner - bass, Todd Chuba - drums. | |
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kWx1sMXXbk&NR=1 | |
