Gerald McCauley

Biography

Gerald McCauley (May 30, 1964 – November 21, 2021) was an American contemporary jazz keyboardist, producer, composer, and author known for his work with the Fender Rhodes electric piano. Born in the United States, he gained recognition in the jazz scene through session work, contributing to albums by artists such as Rob Mullins on 1997's Dance for the New World, Dean James on 1998's Intimacy, and George Benson on Standing Together. His multifaceted career extended beyond performance to roles in A&R, production, and music history documentation, including producing a book and documentary on the Fender Rhodes.[1][3][6][7]

McCauley's musical style blended contemporary jazz with retro soul elements, as reflected in his Spotify genres, and he showcased his skills as a keyboardist across solo releases like Wondering and The Gift. He also served as an alumnus of The Gift project, where he worked as a producer and composer, continuing to engage audiences with his versatile talents. Additionally, McCauley worked in A&R for projects involving jazz luminaries George Benson and Al Jarreau, highlighting his deep involvement in the jazz community.[3][4]

McCauley left a legacy as a historian of the Fender Rhodes, authoring Down the Rhodes: The Fender Rhodes Story, a tribute to the instrument invented by Harold Rhodes that revolutionized music sounds. His contributions spanned performance, production, and education about key instruments in jazz and beyond, though his life was cut short at age 57 in Burbank, California.[6][7]

Fun Facts

• McCauley authored Down the Rhodes: The Fender Rhodes Story, documenting the electric piano invented by Harold Rhodes originally as a rehabilitation tool for injured soldiers.
• He worked in multiple roles including musician, A&R executive, producer, and even created a book and documentary on music history.
• His Spotify profile lists genres as retro soul with a popularity score of 5, indicating niche appeal in modern streaming.
• McCauley passed away in Burbank, CA, at age 57, with a memorial service held following his death on November 21, 2021.

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Rob Mullins - session musician (Dance for the New World) [1997]
• Dean James - session musician (Intimacy) [1998]
• George Benson - session musician and A&R project (Standing Together) [late 1990s]
• Al Jarreau - A&R project (unspecified project) [past (pre-2020s)]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz