End of the Year...Let's Wrap This One Up...

December. Made it through a very strange and interesting and sad and happy year.

The year began with Liza and me no longer working together. That's Show Biz. My time with her was marked by playing some incredible concerts all over the World. The band was great... Chip Jackson, Liza's longtime Bass player who I brought back to the gig, said the band had never sounded better. Liza and I were great pals, eating dinner, riding together on planes and in cars, talking for hours and sharing confidences and trusting each other. After some new people came into Liza's world, everything changed. I was on the other team, along with her manager of 31 years, her agents, her lawyer and her assistants. Oh well, I've seen it happen time and time again. Someone new comes in, and all the old people are gone. I'm not about to judge anyone else about these things but I will say that Liza had a great team around her while I was there and leave it at that.

So, I then had to reinvigorate my other work, Conducting Symphony Pops and doing Shows for Performing Arts Centers...things I had let go in order to do all of Minnelli's gigs. For a while a tour was talked about with Susan Boyle, with me conducting the Orchestra and handling the Musical logistics. After the tour was rebooked three times and I almost got on a plane to Scotland, it was decided that Susan wasn't going to tour...and in light of various incidents over the past year, I guess that was a good thing. But it's too bad that Susan isn't touring...Millions of people would love to hear her sing in person all over the World. Maybe next year.

I needed some time to cool out. Did my gigs that were booked with Orchestras plus some Krupa Band tours with the Four Freshman, etc. and then just came home to relax and recover.

Began to visit with old friends in the Production World. Meetings and Events, etc. Decided I would dive back into that business for the time being as it's something I know how to do well and it's fairly lucrative.

Went back to work in July in the office World. Nice to be in an environment that wasn't so nuts, although the pressure to produce in the Production biz is quite intense. In the meantime, I began to get some new shows together for Pops Orchestras and started the Marketing Campaign for those. We have had some great success with my new Programs and I'll be doing concerts all over the US again with Orchestras in California (3), Illinois, Indiana, Connecticut, Florida and many more. Plus a new tour of my Sinatra and Basie at The Sands show is being booked and it looks like we will be touring that as well.

In October, my very dear friend and Liza's manager of 31 years, Gary Labriola, passed away. A lifetime of doing business with Artist's like Sinatra, Liza, Steve and Eydie and many more, came to an end. For whatever reasons, he is no longer with us and especially in the Holiday Season, I'm finding it hard to believe that he's not a phone call away. Tragic stuff.

What have I learned this year? Loyalty is a very important thing and very hard to come by. Sincerity, friendship, honesty, trust...Worth more than Gold. To my friends who have stuck around over the years, thanks. It means more than you will ever know. To my fair weather friends, those just looking for something or keeping options open...I know who you are.

In November I was asked to be a part of a Tribute to Al Cobine in Bloomington, Indiana. Al's band was the group behind Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis and many more stars over the years and it's where I got my start.
Al's drummer, and my friend, Jack Gilfoy, who had been traveling with me whenever we had a Mancini Pops Concert, passed away last year so I was called to take over his drum chair for the Tribute. I was honored to be asked. I brought some of Jack's cymbals with me to Bloomington, so that Jack would be there in more ways than just Spirit. It was a great night. I enjoyed the band, the music was superb and the audience danced all night. Wonderful to see old friends llke Gary Potter and Mike Lucas, plus many more. This was a homecoming to me and one that was badly needed this year. I thank everyone who was a part of that magical night.

On the homefront, the lovely Deirdre and I are still on our Honeymoon, after 21 years. Our 17 year old Kitty named Taz is driving us crazy and we love him for it, all our children are doing what they want to do and are living their lives beautifully.

May 2011 be the best year ever. My kindest wishes for all of you out there and keep in touch. It's nice to hear from friends...old and new.

Mike Berkowitz
December 20, 2010

A lovely note from a happy Buyer in Aurora, Illinos:


November 2010


To Whom It May Concern:

If you are looking to book top notch entertainment with incredible crowd appeal, look no further! Live at the Sands-A Tribute to Sinatra and Basie with the Michael Berkowitz Band & Tony Babino is the show for you. In addition to their spot on sound and their professionalism, their product sells to all ages.

We recently had the privilege of presenting this show and were so pleased with the performance and the audience reaction. Don’t miss out on this sure sell out.


Valerie Devine

Production Manager

Paramount Theatre





What's new?

After a busy October, with stops in California, Illinois, Texas and Indiana, things are quieting down for the Holidays.

2 weeks ago I did get to be a part of the Al Cobine Big Band in Bloomington, Indiana. Alumni Hall at the Student Union Building was the venue. Great to see people and play music in a place I last set foot in 1971!

A tour of the IU Music Building with Dr. Gary Potter convinced me that the Jacobs School of Music has the finest facilities in the World...and they're in beautiful Bloomington...Southern Indiana.

Thanksgiving coming up and we are expecting a full house. Looking for some last minute decor to add some fun to the dinner. Unfortunately, I think all of the Air supported Turkeys are Sold Out in my neighborhood.

Concerts coming up include Bernstein and Sondheim Tributes, Judy at Carnegie Hall concerts and more things next time.

Happy Holidaze!
MB

Gary Labriola

Gary Paul Labriola July 8, 1954 - October 17, 2010

Gary Labriola took care of people. His Family, his friends, everyone on the road and on tour...Gary was there and Gary made it better.

From the Streets of the Bronx, Arthur Avenue, Hartsdale, NY., Parkland, Florida...Gary made it better.

He was the best at whatever he did...Selling T shirts and posters, building houses and apartments, arranging for pianos in foreign countries an hour before show time, getting work permits in the UK at 5:30 before an 8 pm Show. Gary got it done. That's what he did. He made it better.

He lived by a Code. Loyalty to your friends. Family comes first. Share the Wealth. Protect your people. Make it work. Make it better.

He loved good food. He loved to go to a ball game. Loved his dogs and feeding the cats in the barn. He loved to power wash everything. Simple things, simple pleasures.

He was the best friend you could ever have. And we will all miss him. I think the following might apply to Gary more than anyone else I've ever known.

"When you succeeded, he stood back and took no credit. When you failed, he was always the first one at your side."

Sleep Warm.

Mike Berkowitz

This should be fun!

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SHOW VS. SHOW • Mother & child reunion
Posted on 07 Oct 2010 at 7:07pm
On the same weekend, Dallas gets Liza Minnelli at the DSO and Debbie Gravitte in a Judy Garland tribute

Call it serendipity, but when Liza Minnelli stops by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra the same weekend as Irving Arts Center’s tribute to Judy Garland, we have to shed a tear. In a very special installment of Show vs. Show, we couldn’t resist pitting “mother” against daughter.

Minnelli is an icon in so many ways. Whether she’s a movie legend based on her Oscar-winning star turn as Sally Bowles in 1972’s Cabaret or as a drag queen go-to with that signature short hair and adorable warbly voice, Minnelli is literally the stuff of legends — hardly the case with many of today’s stars.

But she’s also Liza. As in the woman who keeps marrying the non-marrying kind (translation: gay) or the lady who always seems a bit on the nutty end of the ice cream bar, We wonder, “What is up with her?” And we love her just for that.

An Evening With Judy Garland showcases Debbie Gravitte singing signature Garland tunes on the anniversary of Judy’s famous Carnegie Hall show. Don’t expect a Rufus Wainwright type recreation: Gravitte and music director Michael Berkowitz inject their own personalties into the show (see sidebar).

Will Liza’s legendary status trump the weekend, or will Gravitte knock this show out of the park? Choices, choices…

………………….

Liza

…. is a true diva with an Oscar, Tony and an Emmy to her name.

…. married some friends of Dorothy.

…. embarrassingly performed Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” on the Sex and the City 2 soundtrack — which we hope she doesn’t do at this show.

…. was on Larry King recently, expressing sympathy and empathy for Lindsay Lohan’s drug use and alcoholism.

…. had her solo Broadway show, Liza’s At the Palace…!, replacing the musical Legally Blonde.

…. had a small comeback in 1989 by going in a different musical direction with her album Results, produced by the Pet Shop Boys.

…. hocked her velvet jumpsuits on Home Shopping Network.

…. has embraced her gay icon status, even performing at Pride in Paris last year.

…. performs with Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. Oct 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. $45–$122. DallasSymphony.com.

……………………………..

Judy (aka Debbie)

…. got a miniature Oscar for her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz — ouch. (Gravitte has her own Tony, though, for Jerome Robbins’ Broadway).

…. Was Dorothy. And she married some friends of Dorothy. Apparently a genetic trait.

…. embarrassingly messed up some of the words in her famous Carnegie Hall appearance. Still, “Single Ladies” trumps that.

…. was the Lindsay Lohan of her day. Minus the paparazzi.

…. had her Carnegie show recreated detail for detail by gay singer Rufus Wainwright.

…. had several comebacks including Oscar-nominated performances in A Star is Born and Judgment at Nuremberg

…. had a better idea with that red velvet gown from Meet Me in St. Louis.

…. embraced gay men as husbands but responded to a reporter about her iconic status, “I couldn’t care less. I sing to people.” Umm, we guess that’s cool.

…. isn’t portrayed by Debbie Gravitte as much as she is celebrated, which Gravitte discusses further below.

— Rich Lopez

……………………………..

Recreating a legend

Debbie Gravitte just found out that her show where she performs Judy Garland songs is the same weekend Liza Minnelli comes to Dallas. The scheduling conflict for friends of Dorothy could have massive repercussions, but it is an easy (and obvious fix).

“There is a perfect way to work it out,” Gravitte says. “See her on Friday and see me on Saturday.”

Gravitte teams up with former Minnelli music director Michael Berkowitz, pictured, for An Evening With Judy Garland at the Irving Arts Center Saturday. The solo show commemorates Garland’s iconic Carnegie Hall concert exactly 50 years ago. But Gravitte assures that she is not doing a Judy impersonation.

“This is a tribute, a celebration of this one incredible night of her life,” she says. “I don’t look anything like her and maybe I sound like her a tiny bit, but it’s not like we are recreating Judy. We want to channel that joyful part of her instead of recalling the tragic.”

With a full orchestra behind her, Gravitte would even venture to say this is more of a concert than a show; Berkowitz agrees. His closeness to Garland’s material is far beyond just his work with Minnelli.

“I was always a fan. I was a friend of Bill LaVorgna, Liza’s drummer before me. Bill and I knew each other for 40 years. I first heard his playing on the Garland Carnegie Hall recording. That alone was worth it to me.”

As for the dueling shows, Berkowitz thinks anyone who gets out to either comes out ahead.

“I didn’t know Liza May was in town this weekend as well,” he says. “It’s going to be a double header of great music and entertainment.”

Gravitte knows the gays are gonna hold her to task, but she’s not daunted. In fact, she even challenges her audience a bit.

“I welcome everyone to come dressed in their best Judy,” she says. “We are gonna do a sing along and I want people to sing every fucking line!”

— Rich Lopez


Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur
Blvd., Irving. Oct 9 at 8 p.m. $19–$54.
IrvingArtsCenter.com.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition October 8, 2010.

How I Met Gene Krupa

Many Think The Beat Made The Big Bands Popular...

Interesting premise. Certainly, since the beginning of time (not that kind of "time") people have been beating out rhythms on hollowed logs, pots, rocks and drums. Rhythm is a basic in Man. All Life has rhythm...tempo, beginning, endings. So, did the Big Beat attract people to the Big Bands? Perhaps...

In the case of Gene Krupa, his talents helped bring the drummer to the forefront. His looks and style plus his drumming ability were like magnets to audiences during his career. GO Gene GO was the chant and and Gene went...Sing Sing Sing is still heard everyday in some form or other on the radio, TV Shows, Movies, jingles...it's inescapable. That Primal Tom Tom beat goes right to your core. With the GK Band, (of which I have been the Leader for 6 years) audiences still demand Sing Sing Sing. That driving floor tom introduction makes everyone a Bobby Soxxer or Jitter Bug again.

As a young drummer, my first exposure to Big Bands was through the LP records of my parents. They had all of the Glenn Miller hits, so I learned to play along with those recordings and drummer Morris (Moe) Purtill, Miller's guy. Apart from IN THE MOOD, the Miller Band was not a hard swinging group. Glenn didn't want that...his was a Dance Band and that great Miller Sound of Willie Schwartz on lead clarinet ( who, years later, befriended me when I was a 23 year old playing on Nelson Riddle's band) was something special. Still is. Strange as it might seem, my first exposure to Gene Krupa came from watching the Dennis The Menace Show, with Jay North as Dennis.

Dennis is seen marching down the street in the opening sequence while beating on a Bass Drum. Mr. Wilson, Dennis' cranky next door neighbor, looks out his window to see what all the racket is about. When he sees Dennis, he says, "Well, he's no Gene Krupa." Having never heard that name, I asked my Parents who that was and they told me Gene was a famous drummer. Not a spectacular intro to Mr. Krupa.

Not long after that, Gene and his Quartet came to The Embers, a Night Club located in Indianapolis, my hometown. Having now contracted Krupa Fever, my parents took me to hear Gene in person. There were his White marine Pearl Slingerlands, the highly polished cymbals, the two small spotlights on each side of the set and his initials, GK inside the crest on the head of the Bass Drum. I must admit, I don't remember a thing about the music that night. I was mesmerized by the lights, the showmanship and the Man himself. As Louie Bellson said, "You could have 15 drummers on stage, all playing at once, and your eyes just went to Gene. He had that kind of presence."

After the set, I was ushered back to the small dressing room. Gene was in his tux shirt and no jacket, relaxing. Here I came, the Millionth Kid Drummer wanting to meet his Hero.
I began asking questions and Gene was kind enough to answer every one of them, dumb as they may have been. He had a great love of children, coaching Little League Baseball teams in Yonkers, NY. counseling, mentoring. He was a true Gentleman...and a gentle man.

About a week later, an envelope came to our house addressed to me. Inside was a picture of me and Gene. Me looking stiff and nervous and GK, over my shoulder, looking dapper and cool. Whenever I look at that picture, I remember that night.

Move up to 2005. I had spent a number of years trying to become the licensed Leader of the Krupa Band. There was no Band at that time and it took some hard work on my part to convince the Estate that I should be their guy. My resume was impressive enough that they finally said yes and off we went.

The band came with no music as the Krupa Library had been lost or destroyed in a fire in Gene's Yonkers home not long before his passing. I had been putting together a book of Krupa hits over the years, finding music, getting things copied and taken off of recordings and also getting the scores from Quincy Jones from the LP he had done for Gene in 1956, Drummin' Man.

Armed with charts and a handful of dates, we were on our way. My time as Leader of the Gene Krupa Band has been wonderful. Wherever we have played, audiences have given us standing ovations at each performance. Hundreds, if not thousands of people have told me their personal Gene Krupa Story, either about having met him, known him, seen him or just admired him, and, like Gene in that dressing room in the Embers, I listen intently to everyone of them, trying to carry on his music and honor his legacy.

Mike Berkowitz New Shows for Symphony Pops!

Sent by: ARTRA Artists Management
Reply to the sender

Six NEW Pops Shows


Click on photo for more Information!
Mike Berkowitz here. As you begin to program for the 2011-2012 season, please take a moment to look at these great programs I have put together for Pops Orchestras. All of these are proven winners, both with The Santa Rosa Pops, where I'm in my 5th Year as Principal Pops Conductor and also with other great orchestras around the country.

Michael Berkowitz

Movies Rock...

Hot music from contemporary films like Iron Man, Twilight, Avatar, Transformers, Cast Away, Star Trek, Up and more. Original Orchestrations. Plus Newest John Williams Star Wars selections as heard on the Star Wars Tour.

Swinging Sinatra...

Original CHARTS plus Instrumentals like the SINATRA FILM SUITE! Hear the Original arrangements for Symphony Orchestra with a great Sinatra Interpreter.

Lenny and Steve...

Bernstein and Sondheim. West Side Story, Candide, Forum, On The Town, Sweeney Todd, Anyone Can Whistle and more.

Movie Magic...

The Greatest Music of All Time for the Movies...From Gone With The Wind through Star Wars and more!

The Lone Arrangers...

Arrangements of Don Costa, Billy May and Nelson Riddle done for Sinatra, Nat Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt, Sammy Davis, Jr., Rosemary Clooney and more! 2 singers.

The Broadway Babies...

Jule Styne, Cole Porter, Kander and Ebb, Rodgers and Hart and Hammerstein too! The Best of Broadway's Musical Heritage with 2 or 3 singers.

And don't forget these successful shows . . .

Judy Garland 50th Anniversary Carnegie Hall...

Featuring Tony Award Winner Debbie Gravitte singing the songs from the Carnegie Hall 1961 Concert that was called "The Greatest Night In Show Business History". And these are the real arrangements!

Mancini Magic...

All the hits and all his sidemen. Pink Panther, Moon River, Baby Elephant Walk and more! Original charts and featuring Cecil Welch, Steve Dokken, Steve Hanna and Mike Lucas...Mancini's own traveling musicians!

Now booking for the 2011 - 2012 Season and Beyond!

Call now for more information.

Robert Bauchens, Artist Representative Phone: 1-800-354-1645

ARTRA Artists, 130 S. Canal St., Suite 211, Chicago, IL 60606

E-Mail Bob at: artra@aol.com


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How I Met Nelson Riddle...

In 1973, I had been working with Helen Reddy for almost three years. Helen had a number of Pop hits, including I AM WOMAN, of course, and NBC decided that she would be the host of a Summer replacement show for Flip Wilson. The show introduced the Pointer Sisters to America and other stars over the course of the Summer were Peter Allen, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Jim Croce, Anne Murray, Albert Brooks and Chuck Berry, to name a few. A real microcosm of the 70's LA Music Scene.

One of the best things about Helen and her husband Jeff Wald was their loyalty to the band that traveled with her for her live concerts. Wald has become a legend over the years for his over the top style and in your face heavy handed negotiating tactics. It was really something to watch as Jeff would do whatever he could to further Helen's career. He was young and brash and had absolutely no fear at all, whether yelling at Room Service or the Head of Capitol Records.

Helen's band at that time included Mike Warren on Guitar, Dick Horn on Piano, Dave Parlato on Bass and me on Drums. When we heard the news of the impending Summer TV Shows, we were all excited but also not sure, as NBC insisted that the Musical Director for the TV Show was to be the Immortal Nelson Riddle. Would Nelson want to use his own guys? How would he react to a quartet of long haired Hippies invading his Orchestra?

Mr. Wald went to the Mystical "Powers That Be" and insisted that Helen's Band be the rhythm section on the Show. I have no idea what he had to do but it was decided that we were to be in Nelson Riddle's Band for any and all music performed, not just Helen's music.

Told to be at the Capitol Tower for the first prerecording of the Show, I arrived about two hours early, just to make sure my drums, which had been delivered by my Cartage Company, were in order and also to maybe get a peek at the music we would be recording that afternoon. I had hair down to my shoulders, wore a floral shirt and low rise blue jeans with a large leather belt. Slowly the band began to assemble. Shorty Sherrock, Al Aarons, Cappy Lewis, Tommy Shepherd, Nelson's son Chris, Buddy Collette, Gene Estes, Al Viola, Claire Fischer and others I can't recall, began to find their seats.

Suddenly, in walked the man himself. Looking around, he said hello to his regulars, began leafing through the music on his stand, placed there by Vern Yocum and then looked in my direction. Typing this, I can remember the fear I had at that moment. I went over to introduce myself. He was professional and somewhat distant. Clearly, he had no idea what to expect from Helen's band and no idea what to expect from the young kid standing in front of him with a mountain of hair who weighed 99 pounds and was his new drummer.

First thing we recorded was the Theme to the show, which was Nelson's instrumental arrangement of I AM WOMAN. No problem...He counted it off and away we went. Some more short versions of the Theme, some bumpers and the Closing Theme and it was break time. We went into the booth to listen to what we had done and Nelson seemed to relax a bit. It sounded good, the band was tight and our little rhythm section gave an authenticity to the charts that was a new experience for Nelson.

One by one, we recorded each number for that week's show. Nelson had a metronome on the podium. Before each take he would get the tempo from the metronome and after each take he would turn it on again to see if we were still at the same tempo. When it turned out that we were, he would turn in my direction and smile. It was going to be OK.

I don't recall how many shows we did but each week we did the same prerecord at Capitol 1 and then over to NBC to do the show live. I went on to work with Nelson on many other projects. Live gigs with his band, recordings with Eydie Gorme, more TV and Films and the Linda Ronstadt concerts at Radio City Music Hall. I did the last date he ever did, September 1985, NYC, South Street Seaport. Temperature 55 degrees and the wind blowing hard. But that's another story. And it all started when I was 24 years old and was Helen Reddy's drummer.

Sacramento, Napa, Santa Rosa and Baltimore.

April 27th.

Another rainy day here in Balmville, NY. Heater has kicked on and neither of us are happy about that. 49 degrees again today but they say that Friday will bring warmth and sun to my little corner of the World.

In chronological order:

Flew to Sacramento to do 2 concerts with my Big Band and the Four Freshmen. Sacramento audience numbered in the 2000's and the show was great. Napa Opera House the next night. Beautiful venue and another swell show. Had some Ayotte drums provided for me on the Napa gig. Nice sounding, very open drums. Kind of a pale blue wash for a finish. Was like playing on a drum set that would have been seen in Yellow Submarine...Brought my Bosphorous Cymbals and they were once again amazing to play on. Many people came up to me and said that my cymbals sounded amazing...and they were right! Thank you Michael Vosbein and Bosphorous.

Flew back to NY. Gave a few pints of blood to the IRS and then right back to Northern California, this time for two Concerts with the Santa Rosa Pops. The act was Jim Curry and his Tribute to John Denver. Charts by Lee Holdridge who was John Denver's own arranger. This is one amazing Pops Show. Jim sounds naturally like Denver and looks like him too. When he first came out, the audience didn't know what to expect but after about 5 seconds of him singing Rocky Mountain High you could feel everyone relax and a spontaneous round of applause came up from the audience. They knew the Concert was going to be a treat. Jim's group includes his wife on vocals and guitar/mandolin, an amazing flute player, another multi instrumentalist on all kinds of stringed things, a Bassist and Richie Garcia on drums and percussion. Richie had worked with John Denver for a number of years and it was so nice to have him on the gig. One of the best Pops Shows I've ever conducted and one that Orchestras should be booking NOW!

Took the Red Eye home on Sunday night. Home for two days and then a 4 hour (schlep) drive down the NJ Turnpike to Baltimore where I was a last minute replacement Conductor for the BSO's Concerts with SPECTRUM.

A quick 2 hour rehearsal at Meyerhoff with the BSO and then 4 Concerts. The first one was at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD. What a beautiful Hall!!! I can't say enough about this place. It's all wood and the sound is amazing, both onstage and in the House...A true Gem of a Hall.

Then 3 more in Baltimore at Meyerhoff. Audiences were very lively, singing along, clapping on 2 and 4, (most of the time) and dancing in the aisles and in their seats. That's what Spectrum concerts are like> These four guys plus their four man rhythm section, led by Tex Richardson on Piano, do an amazing show of the Best of R & B, The Sounds of Philadelphia and Motown. With the uncanny ability to sing like the artists they are covering, Spectrum is really a very special Pops show. Nobody does this music better, plus with their costumes, choreography and tip top arrangements for Symphony, they are truly Living Legends, which they were named in Las Vegas last year.

A few words about the BSO. GREAT! WONDERFUL! AFFABLE! FRIENDLY! COURTEOUS! AMAZING MUSICIANS!!!! My thanks to all of them, the crew, Spectrum, Mary Plaine and Eric and also Paul Meecham for having me.

That's it. One last drum set to sell. Call or write. Didn't hear from anyone as to my question last month on whether I should be more forthcoming about people and places...Either no one is reading this or no one cares I guess. In either case, the elegant solution might not always be the way to go.

Until next time,
Stay warm and dry...
MB

April...So far, so good.

April 14th. Day before Tax Day and my taxes are all screwed up. Obviously my Accountant of 25 years is taking it easy in his old age and my return is now being done by 100 Monkeys wearing Green Eye Shades using Texas Instrument Calculators from 1988 to do my forms.

Have today and tomorrow to get it right before I am forced to go the Extension route and find someone who knows about the Music Biz to do it all over for me.

Music Stuff...

Two Concerts last week with my Band and the Four Freshmen. Sacramento on Thursday night and then the Napa Opera House on Friday. 2000 people attended the Sacramento Show and the Napa gig, with a seating capacity of about 400, was a swell place to play.

First of all, the Freshmen sound great. Those great harmonies and the amazing musicianship on display by all of them is a pleasure to watch and listen to. We did about 5 tunes with them and I always love to channel Jimmy Campbell, Stan Kenton's drummer on the Road Show album with his band, the Freshmen and June Christy. Nice rolling energy and I love to try and get that feel.

Sold out all the CD's brought so we took orders in Napa and sold some more. True to my word, all were shipped out on Monday and they should arrive in California as we speak.

Home until Friday when I go to Santa Rosa again, (you ask, "Why didn't he just stay in California for the week?"...Too much to do and also there's the lovely Deirdre at home.) to do a John Denver Tribute with Jim Curry and his Band. Shows on Saturday night at 8 and Sunday at 3. This guy looks and sounds like John. Nice arrangements done by Lee Holdridge and some lovely slides and film to accompany the music. Come on out all you John Denver fans...Wells Fargo Center!!!!

Then, I will be off to Baltimore to conduct 4 concerts with the BSO and Spectrum, the World's Greatest Motown Tribute Show. Love these guys and looking forward to 4 great performances.

Still waiting for Susan Boyle to get her self ready to tour. We've been on Red Alert for months about this and we all hope that it will come to pass in the months ahead.

Miss Minnelli has decided to work with a trio for the present, ridding herself of the 12 piece band that has played behind her for over 30 years. We wish her luck and look forward to her returning to the format that has worked so well for her all these years and that her fans expect. The band is such a large part of her show it's a shame that her new advisors don't understand that fact.

In the meantime, I'm back booking Corporate talent with some nice projects looming overseas for some high end clients. More about this next time.

Is this just a place to discuss upcoming gigs or should I start telling people things I know and talk about how I feel about them?

If you have an opinion, email me. berkowitz66@msn.com

Talk soon.

Best,
MB

One more drum set for sale...

Hi All,

Too many drums. This great Ludwig Be Bop Set is a winner. Pics can be seen in an earlier post. They're worth it...Make me an offer. I need the room in the studio and these are not getting out since I have the new DW Jazzers.


Ludwig 6 Ply Maple Black Lacquer BeBop Drums Set. Bass Drum is 18 x 16, Small 8 x 12 Tom, 14 x 14 Floor Tom. Not wrapped, just pure black lacquer, beautifully done by Ludwig. Mini Lugs, Rims Mount on Small Tom, comes with modular mount to attach to a stand and three Floor Tom Legs included too. No rust, no pitting, like new, chrome shines like right off the showrrom floor. A couple of dings on the small tom tom from snare rub. visible in picture. New heads...
Price : $1,200.00 OBO Once again, no bottom feeders or Ebay resellers or any of the 400+ Lizards who watched my Ebay auctions but failed to make a bid. I can wait until the right buyer somes along...that means someone who appreciates fine American Made Drums that have been cared for and that sound amazing at all kinds of tunings, Jazz, Funk. Be Bop or Big Band.

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Can Spring be far away?

Howdy Folks.

Back for a quick entry. Was in Santa Rosa, California last week for two Concerts with the Pops. The theme was The Envelope Please, Music from the Movies.

20th CENTURY FOX THEME Alfred Newman

Theme from THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT 3 Arthur Schwartz & Howard Deitz (arr. by Mark Shaiman)

The BIG MOVIE SUITE Arr. by Jeff Tyzik

Tara Theme Max Steiner
Laura David Raksin

Ben Hur Miklos Rozsa

Lawrence of Arabia Maurice Jarre

The Pink Panther Henry Mancini

The Way We Were Marvin Hamlisch

Theme from Rocky Bill Conti

Finale from CAST AWAY Alan Silvestri arr. Leigh Phillips

Theme from IRON MAN Ramin Djawadi arr. Leigh Philips

Theme from VOYAGE IN A BALLOON Jean Prodromides arr. Riddle

SOLACE & THE ENTERTAINER from THE STING Scott Joplin arr. Cacavas

MOON RIVER Henry Mancini

SING SING SING from Hollywood Hotel Prima arr. Zito

Intermission

THEME from 1941 John Williams

THEME from SCHINDLER's LIST John Williams

ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE MEDLEY arr. Jack Hayes

Cheek To Cheek Irving Berlin

I've Got You Under My Skin Cole Porter

Alfie Burt Bacharach

MONA LISA from CAPTAIN CAREY Alan Livingston & Ray Evans arr. Riddle

THE BEST OF BOND John Barry arr. Tyzik

Dr. No/ James Bond Theme

Nobody Does It Better

Live and let Die

For Your Eyes Only

The Look Of Love

007

Thunderball

Bond Theme Reprise

PROMENADE from SHALL WE DANCE George Gershwin arr. Riddle

THRONE ROOM and FINALE John Williams

Encore

FLYING THEME from ET John Williams

Nice program and encompassed many styles and many eras. In addition, my son Seth, pulled some visuals from each Movie, so we had a slide show along with the music. Very cool.

The Orchestra in Santa Rosa is one of my all time faves. Great attitude and the sound they make is truly wonderful. The SR Symphony's Concertmaster, Joe Edelberg was on hand to lead the string section and also perform the Theme from Schindler's List. As soon as I gave the cut off, the Bravas and applause for his amazing solo work on Schindler's came from the audience.

So, love the Orchestra, love the people, love the venue, love the weather...

Speaking of weather, while I was in Santa Rosa, (I left two days early in order to miss the Snowacaine), The Lovely Deirdre (all rights reserved) was hunkered down in our beautiful house with no electricity from Thursday night until Sunday noon. She's the most amazing person. Staying warm and cozy in our basement where we have a propane fireplace that works on batteries, not electricity!, cooking on our propane stove while it was 54 degrees in the house, walking around with flashlights and candles...Folks, she is one amazing lady!

Off to Boston for meetings next week. Looking forward to the trip and the meets and greets.

April 8 & 9, I'm back in California with my Big Band. Playing Napa Opera House and the Sacramento Community Concert Theater, sharing the bill with the Four Freshmen. It's always great when I work with the Freshmen. If you're around, show up and tap your foot!

April 17/18 back at the Pops in Santa Rosa for a Tribute to John Denver. Wells Fargo Center. Rocky Mountain High, baby!

Speaking of high, the sun is getting higher in the sky each day, the days are getting longer and this weekend will be in the 50's here in NY.

Spring is on the way and I, like everyone else here in the East, can't wait. It's been a terrible winter. The last storm demolished trees all over our neighborhood. The destruction is startling. Maybe it's time to consider a move to warmer climes...

You never know.

Talk soon.

Mike B.

So...

Greetings Gates,

Writing on a blizzardy Wednesday from Newburgh, NY. Not that much snow so far and I love watching the TV newsreaders who are trying to make a non story into front page news.

Last Monday night with my Big Band and singer Billy Stritch at Birdland was more fun than diving naked into a warm vat of chocolate. Billy in front of the band, singing his tail off. Songs made famous by others but Billy made them all his own. My band blew the roof off the joint too. Hoping we can do this show again and again.

Was at Iridium the past week or so with Terese Genecco and her Little Big Band. Energy and talent plus. Fun to work with her and especially Jon Burr, one of my faves on Bass and Barry Levitt on Piano...plus Mayra Casales on Bongoes and Conga. Want to do that again as soon as my schedule permits.

Sold the WMP six ply 1997 Ludwig Set to Tommy Piorek. I'm so pleased that they went to someone who will use them and also someone who appreciates them. Great drums. I just have too many sets! Still available the Ludwig Maple Jazz Set in Black Lacquer. 18 x 16 BD, 8 x12 and 14 x 14 Toms, in perfect condition save for some tom rash on the small tom tom. There are pics here somewhere. Buy this set before I change my mind.

Nothing new on the Liza front. She is recovering nicely I hear from knee surgery and is happy to be pain free. Hope she gets back on the road soon to do what she does best...Live Performances!!!!

I'm off to Scotland next week for meetings and music. Good things will be coming out of these meetings for the future. Check back here soon.

Santa Rosa Symphony Academy Awards Movie Night Concert on Feb 27/28th. I'll be conducting the greatest music from the films you know and love. Come on out. The Orchestra is wonderful and I'm always in the Lobby after the show to schmooze and say hello.

April will bring two Big Band Concerts with my Band and the Four Freshman. April 7 & 8th in Sacramento and Napa, Ca. The Freshman sound amazing and are really fun to share the stage with...

Also back to Santa Rosa for a John Denver Tribute in April.

Looking forward to a Benny Goodman Quartet Tribute in the Fall at Iridium with Dan Levinson on clarinet. Dates to follow.

Ready for Spring. Bring it on. Thanks to all who wrote me about my favorite drummers in the last installment. Of course, I have another 500 or so I could add to the list.

Play DW drums and Bosphorous Cymbals. The Best Drums and Cymbals on Earth!

Stay Warm.

In the words of Harvey Estrin..."Times Are So Bad, even guys who lie, are complaining."

Stay Positive.

Soon,

MB

Favorite Drummers

Hello World,

Back with the first entry of 2010.

Getting ready for a Birdland date with the Big Band and Billy Stritch singing. Thought it was time to get Billy in front of the band and he agreed. February 8th @ Birdland in NYC. One show at 7 pm.

Condolences to the family of Bob Ayers who passed away last Friday. Bob liked everyone, didn't care who was in or out of fashion and was a good spirit. Will miss seeing him at his studio.

For whatever reason, I wanted to list my favorite drummers.

In order:

Sol Gubin...amazing drummer. I have based my entire Big band and Show drumming approach on his playing. He was like a Father to me and I think of him every time I play. I have some of his equipment and use his canister throne all the time. You can hear him with Steve Lawrence on YouTube playing In The Still Of The Night on the Carol Burnett Show. Doesn't get any better.

Alvin Stoller...followed Buddy Rich on the Dorsey Band. Great feel, great fills. He's on many of the Sinatra Capitol recordings, also the Billy May things plus countless TV shows and recordings with Ella and Oscar and Fred Astaire.

Irv Cottler...I met him at NBC in 1972. Used to sub the Flip Wilson Show for him. Of course his live work with Sinatra is the benchmark for that chair. No one did that gig better, not even Sol when he took over for a while.

Mel Lewis...tasty, played with so much fire and yet made it seem so natural. Not a trained player, he is the guy most of today's Big Band drummer emulate. And why not. Drum solos? Nope. Just amazing ensemble playing with the ability to get inside the chart and make everyone swing.

Tony Williams...believe it or not, I played in this style for many years. The way to play Jazz. I was lucky enough to spend some time with him in 1967 and learned so much.

Alan Abel...World's Greatest Symphonic Percussionist. Hands Down, no contest.

Joe Morello...I bought a Silver Sparkle Set to be like him. Have his first solo album, It's About Time. As good as Buddy. Chops, taste, swing and humor.

John Guerin...first guy I heard when I moved to LA. Almost went home. I've stolen from him over the years. Died much too young. Under appreciated talent.

Jeff Porcaro...Amazing feel and nice guy.

Jake Hanna...best with Woody of all the drummers.

Bill LaVorgna...last of the guys with a recognizable style. Knew him for 40 years. Impossible to sound like him. I know I've tried.

Ed Thigpen...another Monster.

Steve Gadd...nothing to add.

Jim Keltner...a jazz drummer, really, who has stayed at the Top of the List of Rock and Rollers. Great feel, great ideas.

Vernel Fournier...Poinciana.

Shelley Manne...one of a kind.

And last but not least...Buddy and Gene.

See you soon.

Mike B