Man, the time does fly when you're having fun. Last posted on Valentine's Day and here it is, almost the end of April already.
So glad the Winter was MILD. I really cannot stand cold and snow and ice and WIND anymore.
The Spring has exploded up in dear Old Balmville, with colors ranging from bright yellows to amazing pinks and purples on every tree in the neighborhood.
Was in Columbus, Ohio last month with the mighty Columbus Symphony. Great Orchestra. Opened for Johnny Mathis on Saturday night and then a Children's Concert about RHYTHMs OF THE WORLD on Sunday afternoon. So happy to see Mr. Mathis again. I worked with him many moons ago and he came right up and gave me a big hug right in front of the Orchestra, which was very nice. He still sounds amaze balls. Same keys as always and his arrangements are remain among my favorites of any act in the business. (Right up there with the Sinatra and Garland charts, IMO).
Also nice to reconnect with my cousin Jeff while in Ohio. Jeff is the World's biggest Ohio State fan and was on his way down to watch the Buckeyes (lose as it turns out) in New Orleans for the NCAA tourney. Had a nice lunch with him and his wife Mary and at this point in my life reconnecting with people from the same gene pool seems to be a good thing.
Off to Santa Rosa, Ca. for concert with the Santa Rosa Pops and RADIANCE, a tribute to the female singers of Motown and Memphis Soul. Always happy to see my Brother from another Mother, Tex Richardson, who did the charts and is playing piano. Tex is the absolute finest Man I know on the Planet...period. No contest.
Also coming up, concerts with the Long Beach Symphony Pops and the LA Jazz Institute Tribute to Gene Krupa and the Be Bop charts of the late forties band. Really looking forward to being back in LA for both of these...and the Greatest Musoids in the World.
Saw an article about Sean Hayes, of TV fame and other things, including his latest stint as Larry Fine in the new Three Stooges movie. He said that these days one must generate their own work/careers, etc. One can't afford to wait for the phone to ring. Truer words were never spoken. As Joe Cocuzzo said to me many years ago, "Michael, you've got to own your own store." Best advice I ever received. And mandatory for musicians these days. I only hope that while all the Music schools continue to graduate class after class of newly minted credentialed musicians, that they also prepared them for the reality of the Music business now and in the future.
Enjoying the playing of Jeff Hamilton and Peter Erskine more and more these days. So many drummers sound totally generic...a very clean version of whatever style they are playing, Peter and Hammer sound like themselves and continue to be an inspiration to me as I keep listening and stealing their best ideas!
Missing a lot of old friends these days. Wish I could still call Sol and Harvey and Gary and Nelson and a whole bunch of other folks, just to say hi and schmooze and laugh, like we used to.
I don't feel a day over 28, so no maudlin slide into Geezerhood for Berkowitz...I'm just saying...
The lovely Deirdre and I finally booked a few days by a Beach for a bit of a Holiday. So looking forward to getting to sit by some beautiful blue water and read a good book and enjoy each others company. Going on 23 years and still on our Honeymoon.
Still collecting great music and charts to play either in Big band or Orchestra. About to do some Enoch Light charts done by Dick Lieb of Classic Beatles. Also looks as if I'm going to be the owner of a nine piece book owned by Hal McKusick with charts by Mike Abene and other greats. I was in contact with Hal about this and then he was gone, all of a sudden. Looking forward to playing these with some NY Jazzers in the very near future.
Are there stars these days? If so, who are they? Why don't we have our own Leonard Bernsteins, Duke Ellingtons, Mile Davis', Buddy Richs'??? What's different these days?????? Or, am I wrong...
All right. Enough for now. Talk to you soon.
Mike Berkowitz
berkowitz66@msn.com
