Reader Spotlight: Jared Beckstead-Craan
Meet Jared Beckstead-Craan, a bassist living in Brooklyn, New York. Jared shared some great stories, including one about their parents and their bass superpower/claim to fame.
Jared is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you could be next). Here’s their story…
Bio:
Bassist, composer, and educator Jared Beckstead-Craan was born in Vancouver, Canada, and raised in Antananarivo, Madagascar, and Beijing, China. Now based in New York City, they hold a Master’s of Jazz Studies from Michigan State University, where they studied with Rodney Whitaker. In 2023, Jared was awarded first place in the Jazz division of the biennial International Society of Bassists Competition. They have performed in the United States, Canada, China, and Jamaica with such luminaries as Michael Dease, Quincy Davis, Jon Gordon, Randy Napoleon, and Juno Award-winning Guitarist Jocelyn Gould.
Location:
Brooklyn, New York
Years experience:
15 years.
Why I play the bass:
My mom is a singer, and my dad is a guitarist. When they found out they were having a kid, my mom became pretty anxious, but my dad comforted her by saying: “don’t worry, our kid’s gonna be a bass player”. The rest is history!
Gear:
- Jay Haide Quenoil (French) style 3/4 double bass (2012)
- Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Light Gage strings
- Gamut Academie Strings
- David Gage Realist Copperhead pickup
- David Gage Realist SoundClip
- Leatherwood Bespoke Rosin
- 2008 Fender American Jazz Bass w/ maple fretboard, sunburst
My Influences:
Some of my biggest influences on Bass are Paul Chambers, Charles Mingus, Percy Heath, Oscar Pettiford, Ray Brown, Sam Jones, Larry Gales, Jon Ore, Butch Warren, Wilbur Ware, Rodney Whitaker, Ron Carter, Esperanza Spalding, William Parker, Marion Hayden, Dave Holland, James Jameson, Geddy Lee, and Flea.
Some other artists I am inspired by are Duke Ellington, Cécile McLorin Salvant, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Polystyrene.
My bass superpower/claim to fame:
When I was younger, I was known for my ability to quote the opening riff from Rush’s YYZ on every solo I took! Thankfully, I’m now more known for the positive energy and swing I bring to the bandstand!
More on the web:
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