It is an understatement to say Gerard Beaudoin's father was his musical inspiration.
Twenty-year-old Gerard, a psychology major at Northeastern University, is the son of renowned jazz musician Gerry Beaudoin who calls the city home.
"He was a pretty big influence because I always grew up with the best of the best instruments in the house and I could just play them," Gerard said about his father. "He'd always be listening to or playing music."
The elder Beaudoin's guitar work has appeared on 50 recordings since his debut in 1990. His 1998 album "Just Among Friends" with the Gerry Beaudoin Trio was submitted for a Grammy nomination.
Gerry's resume also includes appearances on albums and compilations with fellow jazz musicians Duke Robillard and Bucky Pizzarelli and rock artist J. Geils of the J. Geils Band.
Geils has become a musical collaborator with Gerry. Gerry said the two met in the mid '90s at the Boston Guitar Show, where Geils approached him backstage.
"This guy came up to me and said he had a couple of my records and his name was J. Geils," Gerry said. "Some promoter heard we had met and we had done our first song together after that."
Gerry continues to plays with The Kings of Strings, an acoustic quintet he formed with Geils in 2000.
As his father performs on stage, Gerard is taking a behind-the-scenes role in the music industry.
In the upcoming week, Gerard said he will be launching a Web site (www.takeusalive.com) for his new record label, Take Us Alive Records, taking inspiration from indie-rock and alternative rock bands such as Weezer, Sebado and Dinosaur Jr.
"We have some releases coming out in the coming months ... I started this up because I was taking a break from school," Gerard said. "I got a few of my buddies and a couple other kids I know (together on the label) ... I make some home recordings of myself and I write a lot of songs too."
Despite their separate projects, the two often share the spotlight performing at local venues with Gerry on guitar or bass and Gerard playing drums. They are scheduled to play a Sunday jazz brunch at Bullfinch's restaurant, 730 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, on July 27.
Gerry said he is gearing up to play a number of shows in the area. Tomorrow the Gerry Beaudoin Trio is scheduled to perform in the Summer Concert at Gore Place.
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com
