By: Monet Anais
Soul-infused beats, a capacitor of swing, and the redolent echoes of jazz imbibe the latest auditory tapestry woven by Cliff Beach. A mirror of complete dedication to authentic music-making, “You Showed Me The Way,” is his newest contribution, provoking listeners to chart the depths of musical luminary’s endless creativity.
Washington, D.C.-born Beach is no stranger to the profound enchantment of harmonies. Rooted in a devout household, Beach embarked on his journey with music through church choirs and acapella groups. Devouring rudimentary lessons of piano at a tender age, the starlet honed his skills through countless recitals, ensuring his voice and the piano became instruments in seamless symphony.
An alumnus of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, this spectacular musician combines grit, imagination, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. Decamping to Los Angeles in 2003, Beach embarked on his professional odyssey, surmounting initial struggles to then sway audiences with magnetic performances, backed by his 7-piece ensemble and background vocalists.
For Beach, the semantics of genre is secondary, with every musical conception rooted in American culture. The vocalist’s prime concern is the potency of his message, ensuring his music appeals diverse audiences.
His music catalog is an eclectic blend fashioned over a decade, matching the flavor of each year and the vagaries of his musical inspiration. Debuting in 2013 with “Who the Funk is Cliff Beach?” he made an explosive entry on the scene, garnering nominations for several L.A. Music Awards, including Record of the Year, Jazz Artist of the Year, and Urban Music Artist of the Year. Renowned publication Alpha Magazine once lauded Beach’s distinctive style, praising his soulful music and superior musical abilities.
Beach’s expansive arsenal boasts an enviable podcast, sterling performances on radio and television, and a thriving record label – a true testament to his versatile talent. His melodic concoctions broadly traversed in the realms of jazz, soul, R&B, funk, and neo-soul, with his tracks amassing over 1,000,000 streams on Spotify. This musical maestro also boasts an array of awards, including the coveted John Lennon songwriting contest Grand Prize.
Photo Courtesy: Sheldon Bolter Photography
“You Showed Me The Way” is his melodic tribute to jazz; the entire compilation devised from Ella Fitzgerald’s monumental songbook. Each track invokes nostalgia for a different era of the illustrious queen of jazz. This album diverges from his previous offerings, focusing on renditions rather than original compositions.
In a riveting departure, Beach did not take to the piano for this album. Instead, he entrusted the task to television and film composer Munenori “Moon” Kishi. His cadre of musicians includes the talented Evan Mackey, Rubén Salinas, Sam Williams, Luis Cárdena-Casillas, Satoshi Kirisawa, Andy Moresi, Leah Concialdi, and Joe Ferruzzo.
From the seductive tones of “That Old Black Magic” to the illustrious notes of “Round Midnight” and “How Long Has This Been Going On,” every song is an homage to jazz’s transformative power. His allegiance to the art form remains unwavering, even in his original piece, “The Gift of the Blues,” which aptly closes the rendezvous with yesteryears.
Reflecting on Ella Fitzgerald’s influence, Beach muses, “I’ve been so inspired by her not only because she was an amazing improviser, but she also delved into different types of music later in her career. She did songs by the Beatles, Ray Charles, Jobim, and others.”
Commanding and emotive, Beach’s voice transforms these standards, breathing a contemporary ethos into snippets of jazz history. The album stands as a testament to his respect for the past and the possibilities of the new.
Catch a glimpse of Cliff Beach’s unyielding pursuit for musical mastery by following him on Instagram @cliffbeachmusic. Hear the new album here.
Published By: Aize Perez
