Larry Beers
Drums, Percussion
Whether he’s playing Jazz, Blues, Latin, Big Band, R&B, Fusion, Zydeco, or Rock and Roll, ask any sound engineer at any studio he’s recorded in, any bartender at any club he plays, or any fellow musician he’s performed with and they’ll say Larry Beers is a master of his craft. Ah, but once he was just a prodigy.
Being a drummer was in his blood. Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, five-year-old Larry envisioned his destiny when he first set eyes on Uncle Jim’s red Sparkle Roger’s drum set. He started playing at the age of six and was taking lessons by seven.
High school, 1978, Champaign, IL. Larry Beers plays his first original rock band Edna Skoog. In his senior year, he is selected to join The McDonald’s All- American Marching Band and Jazz Band. He travels across the country performing at various functions including nationally televised events such as Tournament of Roses Parade, the Macy’s Day Parade, and on The Jerry Lewis Telethon. Throughout most of high school and all the way through college Larry follows his inspirations and play jazz and R&B. He hones his skills performing big band, bebop and free jazz.
1983, at age 19, we find Larry in the studio with CBS recording artists Champaign recording “Woman in Flames” featuring their third hit single “This Time”. The following year is spent on the road with their U.S. tour.
Moving to Chicago in 1986 Larry plays with various artists in multiple genres with some diverse characters. Some of those musicians include: Latin jazz pianist Bobby Enriquez; Composer Fred Simon; Ghallib Ghallob; Cooly Cool featuring Rolling Stones bassist Daryl “Munch” Jones; Action Figures featuring Mars Williams, Buddy Miles; Angus Thomas and Kevon Smith; Chameleon Records recording artists The Way Moves; and blues legend Melvin Taylor.
In 1991 when Larry teams with high school band mates The Charming Beggars are born. The Beggars spend the next six years recording and performing in and around Chicago and the Midwest. In 1993, Larry is brought into the studio to lay down tracks for Arista recording artists Crash Test Dummies’ album “God Shuffled His Feet”.
Continuously seeking out original projects in 1996 Larry joins The George McRae Trio. They record two albums and can be heard playing locally. That is also the year he joins The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra. In 1997, Numbers, another original jazz quintet is formed with “LB” in the driver’s seat. From 1997 to 2002 Larry records and tours the United States and abroad with Capricorn/Calliope Records R&B recording artists Sonia Dada. During this same time Larry performs with the Freddy Jones Band. He records “Marigold” with Marty Lloyd for Razor and Tie Records and forms a recording and performance alliance with Wayne Healy both members of the Freddy Jones Band.
Let’s back track to 1996. Always looking to stretch his creative wings, when Larry joined The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra he “found it to be just the right challenge for his evolving style.” Since becoming a member of the band, Larry has recorded six albums and has been involved with all five Waltz benefit concerts for Heartland Alliance’s Neon Street performing with dozens of legendary artists that graciously participated in those events. This is an ongoing project that is near and dear to Larry’s heart.
2005 Larry stumbles into an opportunity to become a found member and drum section leader for the now renown 30-piece circus punk marching band Mucca Pazza. All of a sudden he finds himself on the Conan O’Brian Show, at Lollapalooza, on a Weeds episode and a host all manner of huge engagements. Mucca continues into there eighth year of wowing audience and there seems to be no stopping them.
Chicago’s busiest drummer Larry Beers spends his nights playing drums with current and continuous projects including: Mucca Pazza, Michael McDermott; The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra; and a host of singer/songwriters including: Dan Navarro, Ezra Ferman, Ben Joseph, Brad Peterson, Anne Soltys and the Familiar, Jennifer Hall, Sam Wahl, He math rocks it with and Bad Forum; World beats it with Ulele, and sets the rhythm for Ralph Covert’s various projects including Bad Examples and Ralphs World. His days are spent recording award-winning commercials, upcoming albums with the aforementioned artist among others, and sharing his craft with future drummers. On occasion, Larry is known to fly off and join in concert with Dennis DeYoung of Styx fame, has had the pleasure of performing with George Clinton; and spends time in European working with Angus Thomas and Blondie Chaplain.
From prodigy to master, his is an ever-evolving musical tale with legendary possibilities.
