JEFF BECK will embark on a 6-week U.S. tour this summer including seven solo shows in addition to the previously announced “Stars Align Tour,” with Paul Rodgers and Ann Wilson of Heart. Joining BECK on this year’s outing will be long-time collaborators, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and Jimmy Hall (vocals) as well as long touring partner, Rhonda Smith (bass) and newcomer, cellist Vanessa Freebairn-Smith.
Vinnie Colaiuta has frequently collaborated with BECK over the years, both in studio and live. Vinnie spent many years with Frank Zappa and most recently, he has toured with Sting, Herbie Hancock and Jeff. Jimmy Hall first worked with Jeff Beck on his 1985 Flash album, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Vocalist in 1986. He has toured with Jeff frequently since 2014 including Jeff’s 50-Year Celebration show at the Hollywood Bowl in 2017. Rhonda Smith spent many years as bassist and vocalist for Prince, she has also performed with Chaka Khan, Beyonce, T.I., Erykah Badu, Patti Austin, Larry Graham, Sheila E, George Clinton, Little Richard and many others. She has been a part of BECK’s touring band since 2010. Vanessa Freebairn-Smith, a Los Angeles-based cellist and founding member of the Sonus Quartet, is new to BECK’s touring band. Vanessa has had a diverse career playing on film and television scores, recording and playing live with artists from David Foster to Dangermouse and collaborating with artists and composers like Trent Reznor, Clint Mansell, Sarah McLachlan as well as touring with such artists as Sia, Josh Groban.
In other Jeff Beck news, Still On The Run: The Jeff Beck Story will be released on DVD & blu-ray on May 18, 2018 through Eagle Rock Entertainment. The film documents the history of a musical maverick and true innovator featuring extensive interviews with Jeff both at home and in his workshop, as well as interviews with Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, David Gilmour, Ronnie Wood, Slash, Jan Hammer, Joe Perry, Beth Hart & many more.
In addition, his acclaimed Live At The Hollywood Bowl performance, released last year on multiple video and audio formats, is now available for the first time as a standalone 2-CD set and on May 25, the 180-gram 2-LP set will be released, both from Rhino.
Over the course of BECK’s distinguished 50+ music career, he has earned an incredible 8 GRAMMY Awards, been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” and been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice – once as a member of the Yardbirds and again as a solo artist. In the summer of 2016, guitar virtuoso JEFF BECK celebrated his 5 decades of music with an extraordinary concert at the famous Hollywood Bowl. Jeff Beck: Live At The Hollywood Bowl is available now.