““Freddie Khari Beyah”” (January 13, 1950-August 22, 2011) was an American guitarist. ^[1]

Biography

““Early Life”” Born Freddie Hill,on January 13, 1950 in Tift County, he passed away on August 22, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia, following a diagnosis and brief battle with lung cancer. Beyah was the son of the late Deacon Homer Hill and the late Mrs. Juanita Hill. He was educated in the Tift County Public School System. ^[2] Beyah was an athletic youth, but had an early and deep love of music. He spoke to the world with his instrument. Born into a musical family, he was first influenced musically by his father, a gospel singer and pianist, and his brother, Willie Hill. In junior high school, Beyah formed his first band, the Sounds of Soul. Recognizing his talent, the Velvetones Band, of Albany State College, recruited him, and he moved to Atlanta with the band in 1970. ^[3]

““Work”” The Velvetones evolved and became known as the Third World , members of which later became part of the S.O.S. Band. Henry Wynn Enterprises and Production Company signed the Band, and Beyah, and the group began touring with the legendary ‘ Al Green and William Bell. As versatile as he was skilled, Beyah brought his distinctive sound to stages alongside artists such as, Mitty Collier, Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson, Benny Latimore, Ollie Woodson, Members of the S.O.S. Band, R.B. Hudmond, Dorothy Moore, Millie Jackson and Johnny Taylor, among others. ^[4]

Over the years and until the last months of his life, Beyah performed as a solo guitarist in some of Atlanta, Georgia’s best-known blues and jazz venues, such as Blind Willie’s and Daddy D’z, as well as at private functions. He served as band leader for the Willie Hill Blues Revue. Beyah performed with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, as well as with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch. ^[5] . From 2006 to 2011, he performed with [[Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company’’ of Atlanta under the renowned cast director Kenny Leon and music director J. Michael. Some of his final musical performances were in the True Colors Theatre Company’s productions of The Black Nativity and Gut Bucket Blues and Theatrical Outfit’s [[Blues In The Night. Beyah shared his gifts as a guitarist with the world in his two CDs, A New Beginning and Southern Jazz. ^{[6] [7]}

““Personal Life”” A thoughtful and intelligent man, when Beyah was not performing or playing music, he could be found studying Arabic or sharing his thoughts on issues of the day with friends and family. He had a warm spirit and an infectious, dimpled smile. Beyah also enjoyed teaching young people to play the guitar. He was a skilled painter and often gave his spare time to helping friends and family with home improvement projects.

Atlatty17 ( talk) 07:32, 13 January 2017 (UTC) reply