And we're open!

Hi Ho,

If you read this page, I'm sure you know Liza at the Palace has opened to rave reviews and she is the Toast of Broadway.

Here's Billy Stritch, LM and myself at the Curtain Call Opening Night.

The show is amazing and the highlight for me is hearing Liza sing the new verse into the "Judy At The Palace Medley". When the audience understands she's singing about her Mother and then we do the number itself, I'm usually teary eyed. Pretty emotional stuff.

Anyway, NYC is bursting at the seams with people walking around...More than I think I've ever seen before. Judging from the bleak economic news, I wonder what they're doing? Buying? Going to the Movies? Shows? Whatever, it's an unbelievable number of walkers, talkers and gawkers.

Getting some new DW drums. Jazz Series, (like the old Gretsch 3 ply maple/gum/maple shells). Black Ice is the color. Loving the DW's I'm using on the show.

If anyone wants or needs a drum set for Xmas, I've got 2 or 3 to sell...All in perfect, brand new, right off the showroom floor condition. Email me at berkowitz66@msn.com A good deal for you, guaranteed.

We're putting up the Tree tonight. Our tradition is Deirdre does all the work and I smoke a cigar and drink Cognac. That's why we're still together all these years.

Have a Happy Everything, (in the words of Kay Thompson)...

Til the next time,

Mike B.

About to start NY NY...

The 22o Euro Pencil Sharpener.

And we're back! December 1, 2008.

About to go into NY for the first day of rehearsals for LIZA'S AT THE PALACE, which opens on Dec. 3.

Backstage in RI...My drums.

Since my last post, I've been to Santa Rosa to conduct the Orchestra, then a 26 hour day of travel to Rome for a series of Concerts in Italy with Liza Minnelli.We did 7 concerts in 20 days so there was plenty of time to sight see in Rome, Florence, Bari (not so much actually), Bologna, Milan, Torino, (looked very interesting but we just came in. played and then left) and Campignon.

Great concerts and the lovely Deirdre was with me for Santa Rosa, Rome and Florence.Did a bit of shopping and purchased a 220 Euro Pencil Sharpener in Milan that is amazing.

Back on Saturday the 15th...In the studio with Liza and the band on the 16th all day to finish the new CD.

Off the 17th and then on to Woonsocket, RI for 4 warmup dates for the Palace. We played at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, very nice place. The Patriot Diner was our hangout during the week with the best Chicken Rice soup anywhere.

Back on Sunday night, a day off and then Tuesday rehearsal for Wednesday Rosie Live Show with Liza doing a version of City Lights with Rosie. I was in my car at 8:34 pm and home in Newburgh at 9:36 pm...

Lovely Thanksgiving at home...a few days of rest and on to the Palace.

Hope to see you there!

MB

Liza's At The Palace

“Liza's At The Palace...!”


LIZA MINNELLI In ConcertLiza Minnelli will bring her unmatchable magic to Broadway, when she stars in her new show “Liza’s At The Palace…!” opening Wednesday, December 3rd (6:30PM) at the Palace Theatre (Broadway & 47th Street) for a limited engagement through December 14th. Produced by John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents & Jubilee Time Productions and directed and choreographed by Ron Lewis, the evening will feature an incomparable Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favorites and signature hits, followed by a dance-filled tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson. Gary Labriola will serve as Executive Producer.
Along with a twelve-man orchestra led by conductor/drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch, “Liza’s At The Palace…!” will be highlighted with many of Liza’s showstoppers such as “Cabaret,” “Maybe This Time,” and “New York New York” – all written especially for her by the legendary Broadway song writing partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb. For the first time onstage, Liza will pay an affectionate salute to her godmother, the late Kay Thompson who was a legendary performer (“Think Pink!” from “Funny Face”), author (“Eloise at the Plaza”) as well a gifted vocal arranger and Music Director/vocal coach at MGM Studios who worked with stars such as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers, Liza will perform musical hits (with the original vocal arrangements) from Thompson's act including such numbers as “I Love a Violin,” “Clap Yo' Hands,” “Jubilee Time” and “Hello Hello”---set to brand-new staging and choreography by Mr. Lewis. Accompanying her onstage will be Cortés Alexander, Jim Caruso, Tiger Martina and Johnny Rodgers.
The concert performance will be scripted by Liza and Tony Award-winner David Zippel, and will be full of personal stories, anecdotes and heartfelt reminiscences embraced in a theatrical setting featuring scenery by Ray Klausen, costumes by Halston, lighting by Matthew Berman and sound by Matt Kraus.



In other news, the Krupa date at Iridium was amazing. Full houses for both shows. And, they want the band back for New Year's Eve, so stay tuned. In attendance were members of the Liza troupe, Butch Miles and some old friends from long ago. Hilary Kole was our amazing "chick singer" and Frank Perowsky came in and did some Krupa Quartet numbers. Don't miss the next one!!!



Worked with Billy Stritch on Friday at the Metropolitan Room with Klea Blackhurst. They did their Hoagy Carmichael Show...fun to do and play. I'm on the record but I'd never done a gig with them until Friday.



And Saturday we were in Princeton, NJ at the McCarter Theatre performing with Christine Ebersole and Mr. Stritch. 2 Shows, great music and wonderful audiences. John Arbo was the bass player both nights and I really enjoyed working with him, too.

Wed and Thursday this week we're in the studio with Ms. Minnelli and then
off to Santa Rosa, Ca. on Friday for Opening concerts of the new Pops Season.

Italy tour with Liza...

Come see us.

Ciao!

Mike Berkowitz

October 8, 2008

Hello World.

Just back from a quick Press tour of Rome with Liza Minnelli to publicize the upcoming Italian tour. Saw some of the sights, including Liza at the Trevi Fountain, did two Television Shows with her and had too much to eat. More about the upcoming Italian tour next time. In other Liza news, we're going to be in Woonsocket, RI in late November for 4 days or so as a tune up for a very probable Broadway run. All will be announced very soon when the ink is dry on the page.

Don't forget: THE GENE KRUPA BAND with HILARY KOLE is at IRIDIUM Tuesday, October 14th for two shows, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. Great band, great singer, great music. If you're reading this page, you should come on out and see us in person. Never know who might show up that night.

Also, we are doing a Tribute To Gene Krupa in honor of his 100th Birthday on January 13th, 2009 at Iridium. GK's birthday is January 15, 1909 so we're as close as the booking would allow.
Special guests and a big celebration for the Man who started it all, Gene Krupa, America's Drumming Man.

Santa Rosa, Ca. October 25/26. Opening Night for the new Season with the Santa Rosa Symphony. Mancini Magic!!! Cecil Welch, Steve Dokken, Joe Thalken and me on the Podium. The best music anywhere.


Coming up: Liza in Italy news...Liza on Broadway news...Krupa Band tour of Florida...Krupa Band dates with The Four Freshmen and Jack Jones...Symphony Pops dates...and pictures!

See you around,
Mike Berkowitz

Can you name the 3 drummers in the picture? Send me your answers at berkowitz66@msn.com

Sept. 19th 2008

Greetings One and All,

Some new things to report on so here goes. First of all, the Gene Krupa Band will be appearing at Iridium Jazz Club in NYC on October 14th for 2 shows. Joining us will be Hilary Kole,
http://www.hilarykole.com/ She's an amazing singer and I'm thrilled she'll be with us at Iridium.

The Band is:
Tony Kadleck, Brian Pareschi, Bud Burridge and Craig Johnson on Trumpets.
Clint Sharman, Bruce Eidem, Pete McGuiness and George Flynn on Trombones.
Steve Kenyon, Chuck Wilson, Dan Willis, Ben Kono and Ed Xiques on Saxes.
Chip Jackson on Bass and Ken Ascher on Piano, with me on drums and perhaps a special guest.

Liza and the Minnoolians were in Louisville, Ky for one performance and then big two shows in St. Charles, Mo. (outside of St. Louis).

We were in downtown Louisville in a older hotel...small rooms and odd food. The big event was the moving of the secret recipe of Colonel Sanders' KFC to a new location. It was the lead story on all the local news shows, showing a gentleman emerging from a black car, with a briefcase, containing the 11 secret herbs and spices formula, (salt, pepper, MSG, paprika, onion salt? What else?) shackled to his wrist. Ah, the Midwest. Why did I ever leave?

We took a bus to St. Louis on Wednesday. 7 plus hours, including two rest stops and lunch in Evansville, Indiana at Liza's fave, Olive Garden. She had the Apricot Chicken, I had the Chicken Parmigiana. Lovely folks and the food was surprisingly OK for chain Italian.

We arrived at the Ameristar Hotel in St. Charles, Mo. It's a large Casino, technically on the River, so they can have Gambling. The rooms were wonderful. The food was pretty swell too.

Although we stayed at the Casino, we played at the Lindenwood College Performing Arts Center's Opening. Two nights of sold out audiences. Had a few friends in the area so was nice to reconnect. (Forgot to say that we saw John LaBarbera in Louisville, arranger for Buddy Rich and now part of the Jazz Program at U of Louisville...Great hang and lot's of funny stories.)

Off for a week or two, so doing Library work at home and enjoying the time away from the Airport.

Will probably be going to Rome with Liza for some Press prior to our Italian tour that begins Oct. 29. Check out the schedule on http://www.officiallizaminnelli.com/ so you know where we're playing.

Oct. 25 & 26 will find me at the Santa Rosa Symphony for the Opening Concerts of the new Pops Season, 2008/09. Mancini Magic is the concert and once again, it's all Henry Mancini's greatest hits.

I'm tempted to start a Keith Olbermann type portion of this blog to the Worst People in the World...I'm too nice to actually do that, but you know who you are.

No pictures this time...nothing exciting to show but I promise some great shots from Italy and after.

Hopefully Liza will be on Broadway in December with our present show, featuring the Kay Thompson section as well as Liza's hits and some surprises. Will let you know as soon as the theatre is announced.

That's it for now.

Facebook anyone?

Best,
Mike Berkowitz

And we're back...

September 7, 2008

Hi Gang,

New blog, new look and new things to talk about. The old page was getting to be too big and very slow so we've moved over to this neighborhood. Looks to be very nice so far.

First and foremost, the Gene Krupa Band will be at Iridium in NY City on October 14th for two shows, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. 51st and Broadway in Manhattan. Come and hear the band!!!

Lexington Symphony gig was great. Did two concerts with the Orchestra out at this gigantic Horse Farm facility. Audiences for both nights were sold out, around 4 thousand each evening.
The Saturday night crowd was quite festive...There was dancing in front of the stage, Pink Panther cutouts roaming through the crowd (this was Mancini Magic if I didn't mention it) and I got a plate of delicious brownies from one of the front tables, which were quicky eaten by members of the Orchestra, the brownies, not the tables.

We're doing Mancini again with the Santa Rosa Symphony October 25 & 26, so I expect to see you there at the Concert. You know who you are.

Liza and the Minnoolians were in Chicago last weekend (Aug 30) for a concert at the Venue in Hammond, Indiana. Lot's of nice folks and I bought an amazing snare drum at Steve Maxwell's Drum Shop in the Fine Arts Building. This drum sounds so good that members of the band as well as a couple of sound techs asked me what was different about my snare drum on the concert.

The Minnollians leave tomorrow (the 8th) for Louisville Kentucky for a concert there on Tuesday night and then 2 concerts in St. Charles, Mo. on the 11th & 12th.

Then I fly back on Saturday the 13th at 6 am so I can attend my step daughter Mieke's Wedding.
Looking forward to a night of fun and family.

That's it for now. Go to my Facebook page for a few laughs and sign up to be my friend. Jim Caruso just joined and I think he has over 10 million friends...or close to it. Caruso knows everyone in the World. When I tell people I work with Liza Minnelli, they always tell me to say HI to Jim.

See you soon...

Mike Berkowitz
www.berkmusic.com

Hello Fun Seekers!

Here's what's been happening. The Hartford Symphony Concerts with Spectrum were amazing. Two concerts, 7000 screaming people each night. The Orchestra was a dream band, played the arrangements beautifully and had a really fun vibe. Nice folks and hope to be back with the Hartford Symphony again soon. Left July 18th with Liza and the Minnoolians for concerts in Ulm, Regensburg, Wolfsburg and San Sebastian.

Landed in Munich...Nice Hotel. Did a bit of sightseeing, walking around and eating.
Concert in Ulm, next to the World's Highest Cathedral. Just before soundcheck, there was a torrential downpour with the wind blowing everything around. But, all was clear and calm for the Concert.

On stage in Ulm. The red drums were a big hit.

Another day off in Munich...went to Stuttgart and Metzinger to visit Porsche Factory and Hugo Boss factory. Both big disappointments. Neither gave out any free samples.

Then a concert in the Medieval city of Regensburg. Here's a video link to a German TV spot about the concert. I'm visible a couple of times behind the drums as are Billy Stritch and Liza. (If the link doesn't work, cut and paste it into your browser address line.)
http://www.mittelbayerische.de/_misc/videoplayer/videoplayer_365x325.cfm?pid=3299&pk=732

View from the driver's seat in Regensburg. Below: Either a stick up or I'm about to give a down beat in Regensburg. Love the Four Season shirt.

Off to the Autostadt in Wolfsburg. Stayed at the Ritz Carlton on the grounds of the VW factory. Kind of like an automobile Disneyland with Museums, Shops, etc. on the grounds. And facing the power plant built by Albert Speer in 1936 right out my window.

Nice, huh?

Saw Herbie Hancock with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums the night before our concert. I sat right off stage next to Vinnie for the concert. Was fun watching Vinnie do his thing...Amazing drummer!

Then a wild ride to the airport in a van caravan, (The Bourne Concerts...) so we could take off in a charter plane for Vittoria Spain, en route to San Sebastian.

San Sebastian was very beautiful.

We played in the Silver slanted building...San Sebastian Jazz Festival. Heard a kid's band playing IN THE MOOD right outside the stage door. Sounded good but the drummers never play the cowbell part on the last repeat like Moe Purtill. Call me a stickler for detail but gee whiz, it's on the record.

Coney Island on the 7th. Primm Nevada on the 16th. I'm conducting the Lexington Ky. Symphony Aug 22 & 23 in Mancini Magic Concerts and then the 30th in Hammond Indiana at the Horseshoe Casino.

See you there.

MB

Greetings, Music Lovers!

Just back from a last minute Corporate date in Southern France with Liza Minnelli. Got a call on Wednesday and Thursday we were on our way to Montpellier. Stayed at the Verchant Hotel www.verchant.com which is a working Winery.


My room came with a second floor terrace, overlooking the Vineyards, plus an outdoor Jacuzzi!

The week before I conducted the opening concert of Concerts By The Lake in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Played at the Ferro Pavilion, a brand new facility which holds about 2000 people and a new roof that leaks when it rains.

I did the first half of the concert with the Chicago Philharmonic, a wonderful group made up of players from the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra and other area freelancers.

Did Mancini Magic. Brought Cecil Welch and Steve Dokken with me, my Mancini regulars.

This was the first Mancini Concert since our drummer (and Hank's) Jack Gilfoy joined the choir.

So, I conducted and played drums on the show, which we dedicated to Jack's memory.

Top: The Chicago Philharmonic    Middle: Condrumming.  Last: Explaining how the game is played.


This weekend: Hartford Symphony with SPECTRUM. The 11th & 13th.


See you soon.
MB

June 23, 2008

Home for 10 days and then out to Los Angeles to conduct the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for Liza's Induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame.

We arrived in LA and the weather was very very hot. I had rented a convertible but the heat made it impossible to put the top down. Just AC on the coldest setting for the entire trip.

BB King, James Galway and Liza were the honorees. All performed and all were great.

The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra is made up of the best studio and concert musicians in LA and the World for that matter. They played everything from Shostakovich to Kander and Ebb with the same brilliance.

I conducted from the drums, in front of the Orchestra...somewhat unusual but it went off without a hitch.

Liza was, as always, amazing. Her vocals are so strong and even in the heat, she moved and danced like a 19 year old!

She and I had a great impromptu moment during rehearsal where we recreated the ending of the Fred Astaire dance to SHINE ON YOUR SHOES. On stage, at the Bowl, I got to dance, (not really...but I try) with Liza. When asked to repeat my efforts for the Choreographer, I begged off...better I stay behind the drums or on the Podium.

This Saturday night, the 28th, in Lake Geneva, Wisc. with the Chicago Philharmonic, I'll be doing a first half tribute to Henry Mancini. Second half, Maureen McGovern.

July 11 & 13th with Spectrum and the Hartford Symphony in Simsbury, Ct. Outdoors....Come hear the music play!!!

More to come soon.

Stay cool.

Mike B.

June 9, 2008

Hello out there. Mike Berkowitz back from 19 days on the road and glad to be home. A few things to talk about this month. I was inducted into the Hall of Fame at my High School in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 27th. 41 years after Graduation, I am now hanging on the wall alongside the sitting Governor of the State of Indiana, Mitch Daniels and Ballerina Elaine Bauer. Quite an honor to be included and I thank the good folks at North Central for including me.

Did the American Theatre Wing's Gala on Monday the 19th of May. Don Pippin, David Finck and myself were the musicians backing David Hyde Pierce, Debby Gravitte, Faith Prince and Leslie Uggams in a Tribute to Jerry Herman.

On May 20th, I left JFK with Liza Minnelli, headed for Moscow, which was the first stop on a tour that included Concerts in London, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Glasgow.

Here we are in the B1 Club in Moscow. Billy Stritch, me, LM and Chip Jackson's hand on his Bass.

Moscow was pretty amazing. Went to Red Square, many fine restaurants, shopping galore and more traffic than I've ever seen.

As usual, Liza was spectacular...

Then on the 24th, off to London, where we were detained at Immigration for lack of proper Work Visas.

After a sleepless night, the proper papers were secured at 4 pm prior to our Opening at the London Coliseum at 7:30 that same night!


Onstage at the London Coliseum during Soundcheck.

Three Brilliant Shows in London by Liza and the Band and the Boys. The Reviews, which you can find on Google, were Unanimous in their praise for Liza's performance(s). The audiences were standing up after every number and the theatre was like a Power Plant, there was so much energy and electricity in the room.

The same excitement followed us to Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.

Liza was on fire and had the audiences eating out of her hand!

After Glasgow on Friday the 6th, I left at 5:50 am for a flight to Amsterdam. Left Amsterdam at 10:20 am for Detroit. Arrived in Detroit at 1 pm, cleared Customs and drove 200 miles to Roscommon, Mi for a Big Band concert. Arrived at 5:45, rehearsed with the band, (Thanks Bill Sears) and did a concert at 8 pm.

Three standing ovations later, it was all over at 10:15 and I went to my hotel for some rest.

Arrived back in Newburgh, NY at 4 pm and had a great reunion with the lovely Deirdre, my son Seth and his bride to be, Susan. Wonderful finish to a wonderful bit of touring.

Coming up...The Hollywood Bowl Opening Night with Liza, June 20th.

June 28th in Lake Geneva with Maureen McGovern.

July 11 / 13 with the Hartford Symphony and SPECTRUM, my favorite Motown Band.

Then onto Spain and Germany with Liza...August 22/23 with the Lexington Phil, MANCINI MAGIC strikes again!

Until next time...

MB

Review

Hello,

Back from a string of Minnelli dates in Mexico and Ft. Worth. But before I tell you all about what's happening in the World of Liza, I must report that Jack Gilfoy, drummer with Henry Mancini for 30 years, colleague and friend of mine for over 40 years, passed away in his sleep last Saturday morning. If you look below, you can see Jack, Steve Dokken, Cecil Welch and me in Naples, Florida, following a wonderful concert with the Naples Philharmonic on April 11/12. Jack will be missed by me more that he probably would think to be reasonable...(his Hoosier sensibilities being what they were.) I'm sure Hank Mancini is glad to have Jack back in his band.

Liza and the Minnoolians were in Mexico for three great concerts last week. The first one was in Guadalajara. An amazing Concert Hall...all clad in shiny metal like the Disney Hall in Los Angeles. 5000 people attended. Liza was on her game, singing better than ever and dancing up a storm. On to Mexico City, for another concert, this time 8000 people in attendance. Multiple Standing Ovations! Liza's sister, Tina Nina sang "On A Clear Day" with her. While rehearsing this number, (which we did as a slow Bossa Nova with a quickie arrangement by Ross Konikoff, long time Liza trumpeter), an earthquake of 5.8 magnitude started shaking the Intercontinental Hotel. Liza was singing away and I finally stopped and said, "I think we're having an Earthquake!" Liza simply turned around and said, "That's what happens when the Minnelli's sing together!"

On to Puebla for our final concert. When the band arrived at the Hall, a first. No one had ordered a Piano for the Concert! After much back and forth between the Promoters and Liza's manager, a piano did appear in time for the Show. And once again, another spectacular performance, bringing the Crowd to it's feet after practically every number.

So, Mexico was fun. An earthquake, a live Volcano sighting as we left Puebla, interesting food choices like Goat! and no Piano!!! Ah, life on the road.

In Ft. Worth, we played a Gala for the 10th Anniversary of the Bass Performing Arts Center. What a place! I was there in 98 with Diana Ross for the Opening and now back 10 years later with Liza. Sold out crowd, amazing review:

REVIEW

Liza's still got lots of pizazz

BY MARK LOWRY STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

Liza Minnelli, still in fantastic form, performs Saturday in the headlining show in Bass Hall's 10th-anniversary celebration.

FORT WORTH -- There was a moment in Liza Minnelli's Bass Hall debut Saturday night where, right before she brought home -- as only Liza can -- the Gershwin song The Man I Love, she giggled ever so adorably.

That's a good analogy for her overall bravura performance, the headlining show in Bass Hall's weeklong 10th-anniversary celebration.

Throughout the show she absolutely tore up (in the best sense) Broadway songs and American standards. Minnelli, still in fantastic vocal form at 62, dedicated a song to Fort Worth's Van Cliburn, whom she called a "good friend."

And all the way through she joked about her very public personal life, admitting "I have had it; I've learned my lesson" before doing a Sophie Tucker hit, I'm Living Alone (And I Like It), and confessing that she can now really identify with one of the stage roles she played, husband-murdering Roxie Hart, before My Own Best Friend from the musical Chicago (it was cut from the film, kids).

The point is, after several sparkly costume changes (the girl is back in dancer shape, lookin' good in knee-high boots and leotards), frequent engaging banter with the audience and two hours of her song-interpretation trademarks (breathy pauses, heavy S's and big song finishes), Liza hasn't lost any of the pizazz on which she built her career.

Speaking of pizazz, her multi-song tribute to her mentor and godmother Kay Thompson's nightclub act, complete with four gents as the Williams brothers (Andy and three sibs), was a high-energy thrill.

It, like the rest of the show, proved that Liza baby, you still got it.

mlowry@star-telegram.com

Mark Lowry, 817-390-7747

 

We're off to the Beau Rivage Casino this weekend. Then on to Moscow, the UK and Liza's induction into the Hollywood Bowl's Hall of Fame on June 20th...Opening Night at the Bowl!

See you in the airport or at the gig.

Mike B.

April 14, 2008

And now it's time for another entry into "Where In The World Is Michael Berkowitz?"

Was in Naples, Florida with the Naples Philharmonic this past weekend (April 11 & 12).

One of the finest Pops Orchestras I've ever had the pleasure of Conducting. Did two Mancini Magic Concerts and as always, Henry's music brought the audience to their feet at the end of both performances!

Brought along Mancini alum, Jack Gilfoy, Cecil Welch and Steve Dokken plus pianist Joseph Thalken who not only played all of Hank's piano parts but also looked like a young Mancini with hair!



Jack Gilfoy, Steve Dokken, Cecil Welch, Mike Berkowitz - April 12, 2008 Naples Philharmonic

Was in San Remo, Italy with Liza Minnelli April 4 & 5 performing on a Television Show for RAI 1.

Liza was the featured artist, singing Cabaret, My Ship/Man I Love and New York, New York. Looking gorgeous on the Broadcast, Liza sounded amazing! The audience was supposedly still applauding and screaming for more as we pulled away from the studio on our way to yet another fabulous restaurant in San Remo.

Our plane was cancelled the next day, so Liza and her assistants went to Paris for the day while Gary Labriola, Johnny Rodgers and myself were forced to hunker down at the amazingly beautiful Monte Carlo Bay Resort for the night. If you're stranded, Monte Carlo ain't the worst place in the world.

The weeks before, Liza and her trusty band of Minnollians played concerts in Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Ft. Myers and Melbourne, Florida.

Off to Albuquerque, NM this Friday for a concert with the New Mexico Symphony. Another Mancini Magic Concert with Trumpeter Extraordinaire, Charley Davis subbing for Cecil Welch.

Then on to Mexico with LM on the 24th for Concerts in Mexico City, Guadalajera and Puebla.

May finds us in Ft. Worth at the Bass Hall, Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Moscow and then the UK!

Getting the Frequent Flyer miles these days.

New Symphony Concerts in June with the Chicago Philharmonic, The Hartford Symphony July 11 with Spectrum and the Lexington Symphony in August...plus lots more LIZA!!!

If you're reading this and see me somewhere, come up and say Hi!

Best to all,

Mike Berkowitz

March 11, 2008

Hello Everyone,

Been busy and also under the weather so the updates on this page have suffered a bit.

New Year's Eve with Freddy Cole in North Carolina was a joy. Freddy is a wonderful performer and working with him and his talented Quartet was a great way to bring in the New Year.

Then down to Englewood, Florida for two concerts featuring the Music of Henry Mancini.

Chuck Bergeron put together a magnificent Orchestra for these concerts, both Sold Out!

4 Concerts with the Oregon Symphony featuring the Music of Nelson Riddle took place the end of January. Once again, I was joined by Rachael Price and Michael Civisca, two of the besy vocalists anywhere. The Orchestra was a joy and the audiences were my kind of people. Also enjoyed roaming around Portland. Great book stores and places to eat.

Liza was back on the road in Providence, RI. She was at the top of her game for this show and also shows in Lake Tahoe and Friant, California.

Went snowmobiling with some of our Liza group in Tahoe. 7 brave souls accompanied me to the top of the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe...9000 feet up and what a view!

Liz Callaway in North Carolina for Valentine's Day. What a treat it is to work with her! Hope to do more with her very soon.

Then on to Kentucky for a Tribute To John Williams! Challenging music...we had a full Orchestra, 100 person Choir and people dressed as the characters from Star Wars!!! A night I will never forget.

California with Liza...Chumash Casino in Santa Barbara and then the Frank Sinatra Golf Tournament in Palm Springs.

Liza and I went to hear and see Michael Feinstein and her sister Lorna Luft in Palm Springs the night before our show. Always fun to go to a Michael Feinstein concert.

Then I was in Norfolk, Va. with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. A Big Band Show featuring Lynn Roberts, my favorite Big Band Singer! Once again, the Orchestra was magnificent and I had a ball meeting members of the audience after the show.

In the studio this week with Liza M. as we put down the vocal tracks for the Kay Thompson Show.

Then off to Ft. Lauderdale and Jacksonville with Liza. Later this month, Ft. Myers and Melbourne, Fl.

And I'll be with the Naples Phil and the New Mexico Philharmonic on April 11/12 and April 19th respectively. MANCINI MAGIC is the program.

Come see me if you're in the area!

Liza's schedule: 

Thanks to everyone who visits this site. Hope to see and/or hear from you soon.

Till then,

Mike Berkowitz