By Thomas Semioli

A Grammy nominated producer, recording artist, sideman, bandmember, musical director, multi-instrumentalist, educator, clinician, and bassist – among other distinctions: Roscoe Beck’s remarkable five-decade (and counting) career has spanned rock, fusion, jazz, folk, reggae, funk, Americana, blues and permutations thereof. 

Among Beck’s notable collaborations include Leonard Cohen, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, the Vaughn Brothers, Jennifer Warnes (a Grammy nod for Famous Blue Raincoat), Passenger, Darden Smith, and The Dixie Chicks to cite a few. 

A fretted, fretless, and upright player, Roscoe served as Leonard Cohen’s musical director and bassist for several years until the Canadian bard’s passing. 

Fender has issued two signature Roscoe artist models – a four and five string with design cues taken from the Fender Jazz bass.  

Dig Roscoe plying grooves aplenty with Leonard from Field Commander Cohen: Tour of 1979 “Field Commander Cohen” https://youtu.be/EyLmYpSP4w4 

Dig Roscoe from his Walk On solo slab “Wasn’t It Fine” https://youtu.be/8FlYT66IF0E 

Dig Tony Senatore’s rendition of Roscoe’s “Talk To Your Daughter” with Robben Ford https://youtu.be/zeu4h5QnqYo 

Dig Roscoe with Passenger “Baked Benson” https://youtu.be/1nSChuNprKI

Dig Roscoe with Jennifer “Came So Far for Beauty” https://youtu.be/xlXNhoELB6g

Dig Roscoe with Oz Noy, Warren Haynes, Chris Layton, Reese Wynans https://youtu.be/imhsexYLwTE