The Life of Legendary Jazz Pianist Beegie Adair to be Celebrated With Free Concert
The June 9th tribute will feature renowned artists from multiple musical genres.
As she did in life, internationally recognized jazz pianist Beegie Adair will bring musicians, fans, friends, and neighbors together once again as her remarkable life and achievements are celebrated in an all-star free concert on June 9, 2023, at 8:00 pm at The Franklin Theatre in the town she loved and called home.
Musicians and friends from almost every chapter of the legendary pianist’s career will celebrate the life and music of Beegie Adair in an evening of tribute. The event is free and open to the public through the generosity of The Franklin Theatre which is donating space and production. Reservations are required and the event will be streamed live for fans around the world to see and hear this magical evening.
The event includes performances by: Delbert McClinton; Monica Ramey; Charlie McCoy; Lukas Nelson; Mandy Barnett; Lori Mechem and Roger Spencer who, with the support of Beegie, founded the Nashville Jazz Workshop; jazz pianists Billy Stritch and Tamir Hendelman; New York-based clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski; along with her dear friends and music-mates George Tidwell; Denis Solee; Andy Reiss; Rick Reed; Jim Ferguson; producer Jeff Steinberg; and others. The event will be officiated by friend, actor, and songwriter Clifton Davis, who recorded an album with the Beegie Adair Trio in 2020.
“We are overwhelmed by the amount of love and support Beegie’s dear friends and musical mates have shown us during the planning of this special event,” said her longtime friend, frequent collaborator, and manager, Monica Ramey.
“Beegie’s entire life was one lived in music, and she simply loved to play. She shared her talents with the world, and the world loved her right back. This night would have humbled her, and we know it will be a night Beegie would have loved.”
Beegie Adair moved to Nashville from her home in Cave City, KY in 1961, and began performing in Music City’s famous Printer’s Alley with jazz guitarist Hank Garland. Her talents were quickly discovered and she became an in-demand studio and side musician, playing with artists ranging from Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Chet Atkins to Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Henry Mancini. She toured the world with her trio, making periodic stops in New York at Birdland and Feinstein’s/54 Below with Monica Ramey. In 2016, The Beegie Adair Trio was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, making them the first jazz trio from Nashville to ever headline the legendary venue. Their sold-out debut appearance became an annual affair until her passing.
In 1991, Beegie began releasing her own studio recordings, often collaborating with musician friends with whom she had performed through the years. Over the last four decades, her trio released over 37 albums that sold over three million copies.
“Without the generosity of the extraordinary performers, the management and staff of The Franklin Theatre and the Nashville Jazz Workshop, two nonprofit organizations dear to Beegie’s heart, this evening of extraordinary free music would not have been possible,” Ramey said.
“We hope that, in lieu of the price of a ticket, audience members will make generous contributions in Beegie’s honor to these remarkable organizations,” she concluded.
Reservations are required. Event, seating and live streaming information can be found at www.franklintheatre.com/adair-memorial beginning April 28th at 11am.
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