Bassist Kevin Beardsley is set to join the U.S. Army’s Jazz Ambassadors, departing for basic training on August 10. Kevin sat down with Six Count on July 29 in downtown Durham before his penultimate weekly performance at Kingfisher. The jazz jam runs every Tuesday from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. with Kevin on bass, Jeremy “Bean” Clemons on drums, and Tinashe “Blu” Thompson Jr. Tonight (Tuesday, August 5) is the bassist’s last regular gig at the bar. During the conversation, Kevin shares about his decision to join the army’s premier big band, his aspirations for musical growth, and parting words to the Triangle’s jazz community. (Local jazz fans shouldn’t despair, however; Kevin plans to return to the area regularly for family visits and gigs throughout the year.) While at Kingfisher, host Xara Wilde also had the opportunity to speak with MoBetta Ledbetter, a member of the Commodores from the United States Navy Band. MoBetta reflects on his four years with the ensemble, shares insights he wishes he’d known when starting out, and describes what it’s like working as a musician in the Navy.
Bassist Kevin Beardsley is set to join the U.S. Army’s Jazz Ambassadors, departing for basic training on August 10.
Kevin sat down with Six Count on July 29 in downtown Durham before his penultimate weekly performance at Kingfisher, where the jazz jam runs every Tuesday from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. Tonight (Tuesday, August 5) is the bassist’s last regular gig at the bar.
During the conversation, Kevin shares about his decision to join the army’s premier big band, his aspirations for musical growth, and parting words to the Triangle’s jazz community. (Local jazz fans shouldn’t despair, however; Kevin plans to return to the area regularly for family visits and gigs throughout the year.)
While at Kingfisher, host Xara Wilde also had the opportunity to speak with MoBetta Ledbetter, a member of the Commodores from the United States Navy Band. MoBetta reflects on his four years with the ensemble, shares insights he wishes he’d known when starting out, and describes what it’s like working as a musician in the Navy.
Music credits
This episode features live recordings of the Kingfisher jazz jam with Kevin on bass, Jeremy “Bean” Clemons on drums, and Tinashe “Blu” Thompson Jr., on sax on July 29, 2025.
This season features the songs “Forged in Rhythm” and “Callous & Kind” by Keenan McKenzie & The Riffers (2017), used by Six Count with permission from the artist.
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If you’d like to support Six Count, you can make a gift on DonorBox or Venmo @thexarawilde. Follow Six Count on Instagram at @sixcountpodcast and Xara Wilde on Facebook and Instagram @thexarawilde.
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