Jim Beatty

James William Beatty (June 9, 1934 – March 12, 2019) was an American jazz musician who specialized in the clarinet and soprano saxophone. He played on both American coasts and toured the world in countries such as China, Russia, and the United Kingdom. He appeared on over 50 recordings, 15 of his own, and was a guest of honor at 80th birthday of King Simeon of Bulgaria in 2017.

Biography Beatty was born to a Swedish mother and English father. He was given a clarinet for his eighth birthday and fell in love with New Orleans Jazz. Growing up in Jamestown allowed Beatty to travel to New York City and other nearby locations to listen to jazz musicians. As a teenager, he would find entrance into bars and clubs and listen to and introduce himself to musicians such as Omer Simeon, "Wild" Bill Davison, Henry "Red" Allen, George Lewis, Sidney Bechet, and Louis Armstrong. Bechet was Beatty's idol growing up, and Omer Simeon became a close friend and mentor.

Beatty started playing in bands and traveling to hear jazz in places such as New Orleans and Los Angeles. With the onset of the Korean War, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Due to his playing experience, Beatty was invited to try-out and attend the Army Band School. After doing well in the try-out and finishing basic training, Beatty was sent to the Army School of Music. After training at Fort Dix in Trenton, New Jersey, he was assigned to the 184th Army Band stationed in Fort Eustis, Virginia. Beatty and the 184th played for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip of England during their tour of Jamestown and Williamsburg where he was a featured soloist.

The late 1960s saw Beatty move his family to Portland, Oregon. He played with Monte Ballous's Castle Jazz Band before forming The Jim Beatty Jazz Band. During the 1970s, he played for nightclubs, parties, and jazz clubs in Portland and throughout the west coast. He also played in concerts with the Turk Murphy Jazz Band, continued to play gigs with "Wild" Bill Davison, trumpet legends Jim Goodwin and Ernie Carson, and was hired by the U.S. Government to present "jazz lectures and concerts" to local schools in Oregon and Washington. Beatty's night life on the west coast intersected with many celebrities of the time, playing for and spending time with the likes of André the Giant, Forrest Tucker, and Sam Elliott. During Robert Kennedy's Presidential Campaigning for the Oregon Primary in 1968, Beatty became friends with Kennedy after playing for his campaign party.

Discography

Clarinet and Rhythm Live at Harvey's (Vector, 1981) Just a Little (GHB, 1988) Christmas Clarinet (JB, 1997) Plays Just Jazz with Wild Bill Davidson and Jim Goodwin (JB) Strictly Dixie and Blues Song of Songs That's a Plenty At the Portland Art Museum Unforgettable The Premier Ball Holly Jolly Jazz We'll Meet Again Memories Old Time Religion The West Coast Years: 1968–1993 25th Anniversary

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