Renowned Jazzman at Main Streets Market & Café Friday

Since high school Gerry Beaudoin dreamed of becoming a jazz guitar player. This aspiration led him to pursue his love of music, which has now spanned almost 30 years, as he has fulfilled that dream he had so many years ago.

"I am inspired in my music by my life experience, people I have met and all the great music that has gone on before me," said Beaudoin. "In my career, I have performed and recorded with some great musicians including jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli and madolinist David Grisman, who inspired me when I was younger. The sense of accomplishment to be able to play music with them is very satisfying."

A graduate of Boston's Berklee College of Music, Beaudoin has appeared on more than 40 recordings and he was "placed on the 2009 Grammy Awards ballot for best jazz performance and best jazz arrangement," according to a biography of Beaudoin.

Beaudoin will be performing with jazz guitarist, Teddy Lavash at 8:30 p.m. on July 9 at the Main Streets Market & Café, according to Ellen Schmidt, a musician from Two for the Show, who also books some musical guests at the café.

Just Jazz Guitar Magazine called Beaudoin "one of New England's premier jazz guitarists," according to www.jtrbug.com.

Patch caught up with Beaudoin to learn more about his musical inspirations and career goals.

Q. What do you particularly like about jazz music?

A. I like the feeling of knowing that you will be able to create interesting
challenging music every time you pick up the guitar.

Q. Do you write your own music? Is it personal or does it
reflect a certain event or timeline?

A. I have written and recorded around 50 tunes. Sometimes it is personal other
times reflective of a mood or life experience.

Q. What do you hope audiences take from your music?

A.  I hope the audience takes away a memorable experience and feeling from my music and that I have touched them in some way.

Q. Where do you hope to be in your music career in the next
few years?

A. I have recorded or appeared on dozens of CDs in my career. I would like to keep making recordings and also spend some time in new and challenging playing situations. I also made my first CD with the standard jazz guitar trio of guitar, bass and drums and would like to return to that format.

I would also like to perform more locally than I have in the past because I was out on the road and (would like) to stay home with my wife and family more. It would be very nice to find another steady local club or restaurant where I can perform on a regular basis like I have been doing at the Main Streets Café for the past few years. They and their audience have been wonderful.

Q. How has your music changed your life?

A. It has made me a lot calmer more focused individual who can continue to grow. One thing about the music business is that nothing is ever the same and there are always new opportunities. I just finished a jazz history course at Quincy College. I taught my first course there about eleven years ago and am still there. I never knew how much I would enjoy teaching at the college level and was a little apprehensive about it when I started but it is one of my ongoing high points to my career.