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
