Jay Beckenstein | |
|---|---|
 Beckenstein, Gulfstream Park, Hallandale, Florida | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1951-05-14)May 14, 1951 (age 74) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Smooth jazz,jazz fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, producer |
| Instrument | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Labels | Windham Hill |
Spouse | |
| Website | jaybeckenstein |
Jay Barnet Beckenstein (born May 14, 1951) is an Americansaxophonist, composer, producer, and the co-founder of the bandSpyro Gyra. He ownedBearTracks Studios inSuffern, New York.[1]
Beckenstein was born inLong Island, New York, to aJewish family. His mother, Lorraine, was an opera singer and his father, Leonard, lovedjazz and introduced him toCharlie Parker andLester Young when he was a baby. He started playing the piano at age five when he moved toFarmingdale, New York. He was given his first saxophone at the age of seven. In his senior year of high school, he and his family moved to Germany. He attended and graduated fromNürnberg American High School in 1969. He has said that being Jewish in Germany was positive at the time. However, he has recalled that he once saw an old photo of an elderly neighbor in hisSS Nazi uniform while visiting him and he never went back. He received a college degree in music from theUniversity at Buffalo in 1973. TrumpeterDizzy Gillespie once played with the college band while Beckenstein was a band member.[2][3]
They soon recruited 16-year-old keyboardistTom Schuman and recorded their debut album. However, due to lack of funds, the record was going to be their last album until they gave it away and sold 100,000 copies. From there, they got a deal and released their next album in 1979.
In 2000, Beckenstein released his first solo album,Eye Contact, which charted No. 23 on theTop Contemporary Jazz Albums.[4]
Beckenstein played the saxophone solo on Americanprogressive metal bandDream Theater's "Another Day", from the albumImages and Words, and single version of song "Through her Eyes", from the albumMetropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory. He also played a solo part in "Take Away My Pain" on the live albumOnce in a Livetime as well as "Another Day" during the performance ofMetropolis 2000: Scenes from New York.
In 1984, Beckenstein married Jennifer Johnson from Portland, Oregon; with whom he has three children (daughters Claire, Alexandra and Isabel). At the time he also had two German Shepherds, three cats and two guinea pigs.[5] Most of his life is filled with his love for painting, gardening, hiking and all things outdoors.[6] After marriage years, Beckenstein is divorced in 2003.[2]
Solo
WithBob James
WithDream Theater
WithJason Miles
With others
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