This is the Preface to a series of stories I plan on writing in the weeks and months ahead. I want to write my recollections of as many of the folks I have worked with over the years as I can remember. Beginning with Frankie Laine and finishing with Liza Minnelli. There's a lot of names in between those two and it will be a kick to part the curtains of my memory and revisit people and places. I will be telling the truth as I saw it, no punches will be pulled. (Sorry Liza). I will only write about things I actually witnessed or was a part of...no third or fourth party gossip.
So...
I play drums. I've never liked it when people say they play THE drums. I play DRUMS. I started banging on things as a baby and in Kindergarten I played in the Rhythm Band (maracas-I have a picture) and the teacher told my Mother she had never had a student with so much rhythm.
My parents brought back a small Ludwig set from Lyon and Healy in Chicago when I was in the third grade. Small Bass drum, 3 x 13 snare, (which I wish I still had today) small spun brass cymbal and Bass drum pedal. No Hi Hat, no toms, no seat. Also no instructions and for weeks I tried to figure out how to set these things up correctly. Somehow, I had managed to attach the Bass Drum pedal in such a way that I had to take my foot OFF the pedal in order for it to strike the drum. I can't imagine how I managed that trick but after a while I was able to get the pedal on correctly and the drums tuned up so they sounded nice to my ear.
Our record collection was entirely made up of Broadway Show Cast albums, Big Band records, Symphonic and Opera recordings, and possibly every record ever made by Al Jolson.
Back in the Dark Ages of the late 50's, there was Music on Television. One could actually see musicians, even Jazz musicians quite frequently on TV. Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Jackie Gleason and others all featured real players. The Dorsey Brothers even had a Summer replacement Show with Their band, singers and guests like Elvis Presley.
I learned how to play drums by watching those musicians on TV and also by playing along with the records in our house. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST...
Reflections on Marvin Hamlisch's passing and other things to ponder...
Woke up yesterday morning (Tuesday) and had the uneasy feeling that someone I knew had died. It wasn't Marvin Hamlisch I was thinking about but another Show Biz personality. So, when the phone began to ring around 8 AM, I picked it up with not a little apprehension. (My extrasensory powers are well known among my friends and family. I won't go into specifics at this time but I'm One With The Force on matters ranging from who's about to call on the phone to whether Lavoris is on sale at the local Walgreens.)
Hearing the news that Marvin had died was like a swift punch to the solar plexus. I've endured many losses in the past few years (haven't we all) and with the exception of Gary LaBriola, I was pretty much "Stiff Upper Lip, Old Man" and gotten on with it. I knew that Marvin had canceled some concerts of late and that he looked extremely fragile at a Pasadena Pops concert just a few weeks back. Marvin himself had called me prior to going into the Hospital a number of months ago and while he didn't say what he was having done, he was his usual, "Hi Babe, It's Marvin" when I picked up the phone.
So, it was really a shock to me that I was so shaken by the news. Marvin and I had met in Los Angeles in 1979 when I was doing Evita at the Shubert Theater. Introduced by Larry Blank, conductor for both Marvin and Evita, it seemed that Marvin liked what I was doing in the pit on the drums and was favorably impressed. Moving to New York in 1980, I followed Larry to Broadway, where we both served in the galleys of the Good Ship "Onward Victoria" a Broadway flop that previewed for 4 weeks and closed on Opening night in December of 1980.
Somewhat adrift until my next Broadway show was about to begin rehearsals, I received a call from Mr. Blank asking if I wanted to play drums for Marvin Hamlisch on the road. Of course I said yes and thus began the saga of Berkowitz and Hamlisch, Attorneys at Law, an on again, off again relationship that lasted 33 years.
It was Marvin who made me a Conductor, first with the 28 piece Orchestra we used on smaller concerts and then, when he thought it was time, I became the Symphony show Conductor. We played all over the World. I conducted the London Symphony twice
Woke up yesterday morning (Tuesday) and had the uneasy feeling that someone I knew had died. It wasn't Marvin Hamlisch I was thinking about but another Show Biz personality. So, when the phone began to ring around 8 AM, I picked it up with not a little apprehension. (My extrasensory powers are well known among my friends and family. I won't go into specifics at this time but I'm One With The Force on matters ranging from who's about to call on the phone to whether Lavoris is on sale at the local Walgreens.)
Hearing the news that Marvin had died was like a swift punch to the solar plexus. I've endured many losses in the past few years (haven't we all) and with the exception of Gary LaBriola, I was pretty much "Stiff Upper Lip, Old Man" and gotten on with it. I knew that Marvin had canceled some concerts of late and that he looked extremely fragile at a Pasadena Pops concert just a few weeks back. Marvin himself had called me prior to going into the Hospital a number of months ago and while he didn't say what he was having done, he was his usual, "Hi Babe, It's Marvin" when I picked up the phone.
So, it was really a shock to me that I was so shaken by the news. Marvin and I had met in Los Angeles in 1979 when I was doing Evita at the Shubert Theater. Introduced by Larry Blank, conductor for both Marvin and Evita, it seemed that Marvin liked what I was doing in the pit on the drums and was favorably impressed. Moving to New York in 1980, I followed Larry to Broadway, where we both served in the galleys of the Good Ship "Onward Victoria" a Broadway flop that previewed for 4 weeks and closed on Opening night in December of 1980.
Somewhat adrift until my next Broadway show was about to begin rehearsals, I received a call from Mr. Blank asking if I wanted to play drums for Marvin Hamlisch on the road. Of course I said yes and thus began the saga of Berkowitz and Hamlisch, Attorneys at Law, an on again, off again relationship that lasted 33 years.
It was Marvin who made me a Conductor, first with the 28 piece Orchestra we used on smaller concerts and then, when he thought it was time, I became the Symphony show Conductor. We played all over the World. I conducted the London Symphony twice
From the Pandemic...
After realizing that this Blog still existed, I invite you to read of an incident with Helen Reddy in 1973.
I was asked recently about the private plane that Helen Reddy and her band and husband Jeff were on from Philadelphia, on its way to Los Angeles, that almost didn't make it. Here's the story as I can recall it after all these years.
I was introduced to Helen the first night I moved to Los Angeles by my friend and her pianist, Tom Hensley. A few months after that introduction I became Helen's drummer, following Larry Brown, who was and still is a wonderful drummer/engineer/Producer.
At the beginning of those touring days, Helen had a hit with "I Don't Know How To Love Him" and we were booked in Utah for many college dates. The bookers thought that Helen was a quasi religious singer and perfect for their squeaky clean audiences in the many Mormon based colleges that required three airplanes to reach from LA. When we arrived on site for these gigs, the college promoters were met with a rag tag group of hippy musicians and a lead singer who didn't shave her underarms. Needless to say, hilarity ensued. The months went on, the gigs got better. Helen shaved. We flew to Europe for the Midem Festival and a small date at Ronnie Scott's in London. I left to join the Association for a while and then returned to The Helen Reddy Summer Show on NBC with Nelson Riddle, Carnegie Hall and a long list of live concerts.
Jeff knew George Carlin well, and as a result, we traveled a bit in George's private plane, a Jet Commander with call letters WW0069 or Whiskey Whiskey 69 on the radio. Following a gig in Phiadelphia, the band of myself, Dick Horn, Dave Parlato, Mike Warren, Paul Cowsill and Helen and Jeff boarded the plane for Los Angeles. We always wanted to get home as soon as possible. Occasionally Jeff and or Helen would get the opening act on a concert to let us open for them, so we could leave earlier. Anyway, we take off from Philly and settle in for the flight home. We knew there would be a fuel stop between along the way. Dave Parlato, Helen and myself began a game of Scrabble on the small table. Helen and Jeff were facing us, their backs to the front of the plane. Dave Parlato, myself and Mike Warren were in the rear row bench seats Dick Horn was on the the window and in from of him was Paul Cowsill. An ice chest of soft drinks was in front of Mr. Cowsill, on the floor. We were told there was a line of thunderstorms over the Midwest and that we were diverting to another airport for our refueling stop.
Our Scrabble game was fast and furious and Dave Parlato was winning, for the first time ever in all our matches. Suddenly over Illinois a hard bump shook the plane. We looked at each other and timidly continued our game. Jim Croce had died in a plane accident a few weeks earlier and was on our minds. Seconds later, the plane began to descend...very fast and at a very steep angle. Mike Warren, who hated to fly, was in a fetal position in his seat. The plane's descent was so rapid that we were actually weightless. I had neglected to put on my seat belt and was now on the ceiling, which was quickly coming apart, losing tiles as we descended. The ice chest began to float in the cabin. Jeff was moaning and Helen was saying it would be all right as she knew it was not her destiny to die in an airplane. 14, 000 feet straight down and the veteran pilots somehow found some clear air and got us level, and not a moment too soon. We landed at Moline Illinois' Quad City Airport. We came to a stop on the tarmac. Quickly exiting the plane, we took our belongings and thanked any and all deities that we had been spared. The inside of the plane was a wreck. There would be no flight the rest of the way that night in the Jet Commander.
We checked into the local Holiday Inn at the Airport and Jeff arranged flights home the next day on a commercial airliner. Preparing for bed, I took off my trousers and two Scrabble tiles fell to the floor. They spelled HA.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
God's Frozen People
Good Evening from cold Balmville, NY. While not unseasonably cold, my ancestors were a tribe of desert nomads and I think the gene for cool temperatures is missing in my DNA.
No matter. The heat is on and I'm wrapped in some nice warm clothes from the local Marshalls.
I love Marshalls. They have a line of products from THE PALM restaurant, cookware, glassware, dishes, etc. that the lovely Deirdre and I are addicted to. The square dinner plates are to die for.
My new drum set from Gretsch is the best I've ever played. My opinion, your mileage may vary.
Shell layups and hardware like the old Gretsch round badge sets from the 50's and 60's, they sound very Tony Williams, which I love. Not to denigrate any of the other drum manufacturers that are making drums in the style of Gretsch, but, if you want Gretsch sound, you must buy Gretsch drums.
Most people think I'm a long time Buddy Rich acolyte but my love of Mr. Rich came rather late in life. Prior to that my faves were Tony Williams, Pete La Roca, Billy Higgins, Joe Chambers, Joe Morello, Sol Gubin and Alvin Stoller. An eclectic bunch to say the least. Krupa is in there some where too.
I always find that a different set up or changing the tuning makes me think differently about what I'm doing and how I'm approaching the music. Great fun to change things up.
Clark Terry always talks about IMITATE, ASSIMILATE, INNOVATE as the path to one's Jazz identity and I couldn't agree more. I'd be happy if the last one was just CREATE. When you get a chance to play, go for it. COMMUNICATE...(maybe CT would like to add communicate).
Always thrilled whenever I'm somewhere on the road and some player in the local band plays in the style that we're playing and communicates to the audience. It's lovely when that happens.
Have changed agents again for my Symphony dates. Back to my tried and true team of pros. Sometimes you try something and it doesn't work out. Of course, an elegant leave taking is much preferred to a vitriolic email but what can you do? Moving forward.
Our new puppy, Maisie, is now 5 months old. A Havanese, she has changed our lives and our routine.
She's just the greatest addition to our home and Deirdre and I are glad we finally joined the World of Dog Owners.
Acquired a snow rake for this year's snow storms. Put it to good use on Thanksgiving Day when we received about 8 inches of heavy wet snow. Clearing the roof prevents ice dams and giant icicles, which I detest.
TV...we still love Person Of Interest, NCIS, Alpha House, Elementary, some BBC three parter with Bill Nighy, Forever and we're on the fence about the new show State of Affairs. Funny how the other NCIS' don't do it for us... Modern Family is a late discovery...yes, I know. Not sure about the Claire character. Might be a deal breaker in the long run. And last but not least, SHARK TANK. We love this show...not crazy about all the Sharks but really enjoy watching this...even the reruns. Why does Barbara Corcoran always looks like she's smelling something really bad?
Much new music finding it's way to my Library. Great arrangements for Pops concerts of all types. Can't wait to hear them played.
Just finished Frank Foster's autobiography. Reading the new Bob Hope book now. Also read the Peggy Lee bio. She might have been among the most eccentric of all great stars. Nice to see Mike Renzi's name mentioned so frequently in the book.
OK, time for dinner.
Back soon, y'all.
In the meantime, sleep warm.
Mike Berkowitz
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Note from the Road, 2014 Edition.
Summer 2014
Direct from Capstone Production's HQ's in beautiful downtown Balmville, NY, we bring you the long awaited first post of 2014.
Thankfully, Summer has arrived and we are enjoying all the pleasures of the Hudson Valley, which seems impossibly green this year, owing I assume, to all the moisture from the snowy Winter and the wet and cool Spring we had in these parts.
Part of the enjoyment has been in attending concerts by John Pizzarelli, Eddie Izzard, Adam Nussbaum and assorted other events here in our area. John P and his Quartet were magnificent at the Town Crier in Beacon. If you've never seen John live and in person, go! In addition to his amazing musical talent, his patter and affable demeanor are as good as it gets...funny and never corny.
I'll be conducting the Rochester Philharmonic July 3/4. I'm very pleased to have been asked and the program includes a lot of fun music...1812 Overture, of course and a pice by my old friend Jim Beckel, "Liberty For All"...in addition to works by Mancini, Hamlisch, John Williams, Alan Silvestri,
Sousa, Percy Faith and to top it off...Tommy Newsom's arrangement of "Strike Up The Band", written for Buddy Rich. (On that one, I'll be playing drums.)
Concert in Hackettstown, NJ on July 12th at Centenary College...Tribute to Gene Krupa. Great band and featuring vocalist Amy London. We'll be doing some Krupa tunes that we haven't performed before, such as "Melody in F" as well as music from the movie "The Gene Krupa Story" and Quincy Jone's charts from the classic album GK did in 1956, "Drummer Man". Cincy native Amy London will be singing some Anita O'Day tunes as well as some Nelson Riddle/Rosemary Clooney charts, in honor of her hometown favorite.
End of July finds me at the Green Music Center with the Santa Rosa Pops, performing a concert with Mariachi Sol de Mexico. Should be an exciting evening of the best in Mariachi Music and some Orchestral faves like "Andalusia" and Overture from "Man of La Mancha".
Looking forward to upcoming concerts with Byron Stripling, Haven Burton, Cady Huffman, Karen Mason, Carmen Bradford, Lisanne Lyons, Tony Babino, Five By Design, The Music of John Williams as well as Holiday concerts and ABBA Tribute.
Krupa date in Seattle area in October...booking more gigs around that one so I'll have that info next time for all. Looking forward to working with my good friends from the Seattle music scene. They're great and they know how to swing and have a good time.
OK, that's it for now. Enjoy all the Summer has to offer and keep in touch.
Best,
Mike B
Direct from Capstone Production's HQ's in beautiful downtown Balmville, NY, we bring you the long awaited first post of 2014.
Thankfully, Summer has arrived and we are enjoying all the pleasures of the Hudson Valley, which seems impossibly green this year, owing I assume, to all the moisture from the snowy Winter and the wet and cool Spring we had in these parts.
Part of the enjoyment has been in attending concerts by John Pizzarelli, Eddie Izzard, Adam Nussbaum and assorted other events here in our area. John P and his Quartet were magnificent at the Town Crier in Beacon. If you've never seen John live and in person, go! In addition to his amazing musical talent, his patter and affable demeanor are as good as it gets...funny and never corny.
I'll be conducting the Rochester Philharmonic July 3/4. I'm very pleased to have been asked and the program includes a lot of fun music...1812 Overture, of course and a pice by my old friend Jim Beckel, "Liberty For All"...in addition to works by Mancini, Hamlisch, John Williams, Alan Silvestri,
Sousa, Percy Faith and to top it off...Tommy Newsom's arrangement of "Strike Up The Band", written for Buddy Rich. (On that one, I'll be playing drums.)
Concert in Hackettstown, NJ on July 12th at Centenary College...Tribute to Gene Krupa. Great band and featuring vocalist Amy London. We'll be doing some Krupa tunes that we haven't performed before, such as "Melody in F" as well as music from the movie "The Gene Krupa Story" and Quincy Jone's charts from the classic album GK did in 1956, "Drummer Man". Cincy native Amy London will be singing some Anita O'Day tunes as well as some Nelson Riddle/Rosemary Clooney charts, in honor of her hometown favorite.
End of July finds me at the Green Music Center with the Santa Rosa Pops, performing a concert with Mariachi Sol de Mexico. Should be an exciting evening of the best in Mariachi Music and some Orchestral faves like "Andalusia" and Overture from "Man of La Mancha".
Looking forward to upcoming concerts with Byron Stripling, Haven Burton, Cady Huffman, Karen Mason, Carmen Bradford, Lisanne Lyons, Tony Babino, Five By Design, The Music of John Williams as well as Holiday concerts and ABBA Tribute.
Krupa date in Seattle area in October...booking more gigs around that one so I'll have that info next time for all. Looking forward to working with my good friends from the Seattle music scene. They're great and they know how to swing and have a good time.
OK, that's it for now. Enjoy all the Summer has to offer and keep in touch.
Best,
Mike B
Sunday, September 8, 2013
The Way They Were, A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch and Barbra Streisand. Conceived and conducted by Michael Berkowitz, Marvin's friend of 33 years and his Music Director/Conductor from 1980 until 1990 and featuring Broadway's Haven Burton, star of Shrek, Legally Blonde and Rent.
Marvin was the rehearsal pianist for FUNNY GIRL, Barbra's great Broadway triumph. From The Way We Were to conducting Barbra's 1994 legendary comeback tour, right up until Marvin's untimely passing in 2012, these two legends created some of the World's most memorable musical moments.
Michael Berkowitz has brought the music of these two legends together for a program unlike any other. Among the selections are:
Overture to Barbra's 1994 Tour
The Way We Were
People
Don't Rain On My Parade
Send In the Clowns
Putting It Together
Memory
With One Look
Evergreen
Music That Makes Me Dance
Windmills of Your Mind
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
Ordinary Miracles
Plus Marvin's Instrumentals
A Chorus Line Overture
Movie Medley
Nobody Does It Better
They're Playing My Song
The Entertainer
Sophie's Choice
One
Smile
There will never be another Marvin Hamlisch. This show is a true celebration of the joy and laughter and the music that made him a Legend, plus the music of Barbra Streisand, sung by the amazing Haven Burton.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Where did I go?
Sorry to both of my readers about the long break between blogs. I hope you've been keeping yourselves occupied while I have been otherwise engaged.
So, NYC this Summer is about as weird as I can remember. An abundance of folks having conversations with themselves in diners and on the streets. Regular (?) folks, talking to themselves, laughing, yelling, pleading, exhorting...another odd phenomenon.
Also, tourists in NYC. It is now impossible to walk at intersections in midtown NYC as tourists stand on the corners, looking around for a cab or a hotel or are texting and standing in the middle of the sidewalk or just generally moving at the snail's pace that is normal in Normal, Illinois but not New Yawk City. And I've become that guy who tells these people to get out the way! I am now that Geezer who would be in a Martin Scorsese film, if Martin Scorsese still made those kinds of New Yawk centric movies.
One last thing...tattoos...WTF? We are now living in a world that is driven by Honey Boo Boo TV.
In the words of the late, great Fred Ebb..."Whatever Happened To Class?" I'm glad I'm not young anymore.
Have been traveling to Seattle lately for work a bit. Lovely place. Someone said that Seattle is the new NY and that NY is the new Des Moines. Might be the case. Lot's to do there, a vibrant downtown, a large concentration of good musos, restaurants all over the place and nice folks. One of the few places that is in consideration for a move from the Hudson Valley.
Lot's of great concerts coming up...new programs, new music. Doing a Benny Goodman Tribute with the GREAT Ken Peplowski in Santa Rosa. Conducting from the drums on this one. Can't wait.
New Year's Eve with the Grand Rapids Symphony, a couple of concerts in Long Beach and Ft. Myers with the Copa Boys Tribute to the Rat Pack and then concerts with the Three Phantoms, Classical Mystery Tour and our annual Christmas Extravaganza in Santa Rosa as well. Plus Big Band concerts at Hofstra University, The Neel Center in Florida, a Sinatra & Basie at the Sands concert in Illinois and a Riddle Tribute with the Fabulous Naples Jazz Orchestra.
So, taking life as it comes. We welcomed our new Grandson, Hudson Berkowitz into the World two weeks ago. Nine pounds, one ounces of wonderfulness. He's a cutie but I might be prejudiced. Nah, he's a cutie.
OK, promise to write more frequently but don't forget to call nonetheless. I'm always available!
Happy end of Summer.
Mike B
So, NYC this Summer is about as weird as I can remember. An abundance of folks having conversations with themselves in diners and on the streets. Regular (?) folks, talking to themselves, laughing, yelling, pleading, exhorting...another odd phenomenon.
Also, tourists in NYC. It is now impossible to walk at intersections in midtown NYC as tourists stand on the corners, looking around for a cab or a hotel or are texting and standing in the middle of the sidewalk or just generally moving at the snail's pace that is normal in Normal, Illinois but not New Yawk City. And I've become that guy who tells these people to get out the way! I am now that Geezer who would be in a Martin Scorsese film, if Martin Scorsese still made those kinds of New Yawk centric movies.
One last thing...tattoos...WTF? We are now living in a world that is driven by Honey Boo Boo TV.
In the words of the late, great Fred Ebb..."Whatever Happened To Class?" I'm glad I'm not young anymore.
Have been traveling to Seattle lately for work a bit. Lovely place. Someone said that Seattle is the new NY and that NY is the new Des Moines. Might be the case. Lot's to do there, a vibrant downtown, a large concentration of good musos, restaurants all over the place and nice folks. One of the few places that is in consideration for a move from the Hudson Valley.
Lot's of great concerts coming up...new programs, new music. Doing a Benny Goodman Tribute with the GREAT Ken Peplowski in Santa Rosa. Conducting from the drums on this one. Can't wait.
New Year's Eve with the Grand Rapids Symphony, a couple of concerts in Long Beach and Ft. Myers with the Copa Boys Tribute to the Rat Pack and then concerts with the Three Phantoms, Classical Mystery Tour and our annual Christmas Extravaganza in Santa Rosa as well. Plus Big Band concerts at Hofstra University, The Neel Center in Florida, a Sinatra & Basie at the Sands concert in Illinois and a Riddle Tribute with the Fabulous Naples Jazz Orchestra.
So, taking life as it comes. We welcomed our new Grandson, Hudson Berkowitz into the World two weeks ago. Nine pounds, one ounces of wonderfulness. He's a cutie but I might be prejudiced. Nah, he's a cutie.
OK, promise to write more frequently but don't forget to call nonetheless. I'm always available!
Happy end of Summer.
Mike B
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Where Have I Been?
And we're back...
Was in beautiful Santa Rosa, Ca. this past weekend for our Opening Santa Rosa Pops Concert featuring the Four Freshmen. All I can say is....GREAT MUSIC!!!
The lovely Deirdre and I were accompanied on this trip by Martin and Judi Schwartz. Our exploits included dinner at Scoma's in Sausalito, walking in Armstrong Woods among the Redwood Forest, Wine Tasting at Kendall Jackson, more eating at Coppola's Rustic Restaurant and side trips to Healdsburg, Windsor and Downtown Santa Rosa. Sandwiched in between was a rehearsal and then the concert on Sunday afternoon.
Off to conduct the Fab 4 concert with the Columbus Symphony. Looking forward to returning to the Ohio Theater with a really amazing group of musicians. And I'll be wearing my finest Beatles clothing for this concert as well...Shea Stadium Jacket for the first half and Abbey Road Frock coat for the second. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.
Was also out in Glendora, Ca. for a Sinatra/Basie at the Sands concert with an amazing LA Big Band and singer Tony Babino. All the real charts and all the great music from the classic album by Frank and William Basie. Look for us in Wickenburg, Az in January for another one of these Tributes to these musical geniuses.
Have stopped watching and reading anything more about the Election. Can't wait until the voting is over so we can move on. The 24 hour news cycle is the worst thing to happen to the US since deregulating the airlines and Corn Syrup.
FACEBOOK...I'm on it but it seems to have jumped the Shark as well as a couple of other things. Some many ways to waste time these days. Has anyone ever gone to a concert as a result of a FB invite? And thanks for the Events invites from Australia. I'll be right over.
Interesting to see the excitement Barbra Streisand still creates whenever she performs. She can fill up Arenas on multiple nights, performing with a 60 piece Orchestra and amazing Production/Sound and Lighting..
So great that there's still someone out there singing well written music, live, with the ability to attract such a devoted and large audience. Not many of those left. In various degrees I guess Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Tony Bennett, Cher and Bette Midler when they perform...Billy Joel and Elton John and the Rolling Stones. Sting. Bruce Springsteen. It's a mighty small club and she's the Prez.
Don't read any further unless you don't mind some overly sentimental musings about Life and the Pursuit of Happiness.
As I get older, I value certain things more than ever. Loyalty is maybe at the top of the list. Friends, enjoying what's really important in life. Chunkies. Real Coca Cola made with cane sugar (available at my local Stop and Shop from Mexico), and of course the lovely Deirdre and our family, extended and otherwise.
So many of my old friends have joined the Choir lately. Some big names and some not so big names...all will be missed and remind me that it's important not wait to do things we really want to do in life. You never know what's around the corner. Time waits for no one, especially if you're a drummer. And it's a drag deleting contacts from my iPhone.
Sentimental section over.
Things I'm Loving These Days...
NCIS
Person Of Interest
The San Francisco Giants
Jeff Hamilton//Peter Erskine
A good pair of drumsticks (tougher to find than a good reed, IMO)
Being able to download Music and Books anywhere in the World.
Loose shoes.
When all my music is returned quickly from Symphony Orchestras...intact.
A good agent.
Locally owned Businesses.
Independent Films.
What I'm Not Loving These Days...
Musicians, etc. not getting paid for all those downloads I love so much.
Reality TV
TV Talking Heads, no matter the Political persuasion. Why Al Sharpton is on the air is as much a mystery to me as Glenn Beck.
Commuting, although the Quiet Car is a big help.
Intersections with tourists bunched up so I can't get through.
Blaming Musicians for the failures of their Executive Directors and Boards to raise money. We play the music... We'll do anything we can to help you raise funds, but at some point it's up to you to do your job too.
Airline prices, which are going through the roof and beyond. And the service is worse than ever.
People who "reach out"
OK, that's all Folks.
See you next time...
Mike B
Was in beautiful Santa Rosa, Ca. this past weekend for our Opening Santa Rosa Pops Concert featuring the Four Freshmen. All I can say is....GREAT MUSIC!!!
The lovely Deirdre and I were accompanied on this trip by Martin and Judi Schwartz. Our exploits included dinner at Scoma's in Sausalito, walking in Armstrong Woods among the Redwood Forest, Wine Tasting at Kendall Jackson, more eating at Coppola's Rustic Restaurant and side trips to Healdsburg, Windsor and Downtown Santa Rosa. Sandwiched in between was a rehearsal and then the concert on Sunday afternoon.
Off to conduct the Fab 4 concert with the Columbus Symphony. Looking forward to returning to the Ohio Theater with a really amazing group of musicians. And I'll be wearing my finest Beatles clothing for this concert as well...Shea Stadium Jacket for the first half and Abbey Road Frock coat for the second. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.
Was also out in Glendora, Ca. for a Sinatra/Basie at the Sands concert with an amazing LA Big Band and singer Tony Babino. All the real charts and all the great music from the classic album by Frank and William Basie. Look for us in Wickenburg, Az in January for another one of these Tributes to these musical geniuses.
Have stopped watching and reading anything more about the Election. Can't wait until the voting is over so we can move on. The 24 hour news cycle is the worst thing to happen to the US since deregulating the airlines and Corn Syrup.
FACEBOOK...I'm on it but it seems to have jumped the Shark as well as a couple of other things. Some many ways to waste time these days. Has anyone ever gone to a concert as a result of a FB invite? And thanks for the Events invites from Australia. I'll be right over.
Interesting to see the excitement Barbra Streisand still creates whenever she performs. She can fill up Arenas on multiple nights, performing with a 60 piece Orchestra and amazing Production/Sound and Lighting..
So great that there's still someone out there singing well written music, live, with the ability to attract such a devoted and large audience. Not many of those left. In various degrees I guess Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Tony Bennett, Cher and Bette Midler when they perform...Billy Joel and Elton John and the Rolling Stones. Sting. Bruce Springsteen. It's a mighty small club and she's the Prez.
Don't read any further unless you don't mind some overly sentimental musings about Life and the Pursuit of Happiness.
As I get older, I value certain things more than ever. Loyalty is maybe at the top of the list. Friends, enjoying what's really important in life. Chunkies. Real Coca Cola made with cane sugar (available at my local Stop and Shop from Mexico), and of course the lovely Deirdre and our family, extended and otherwise.
So many of my old friends have joined the Choir lately. Some big names and some not so big names...all will be missed and remind me that it's important not wait to do things we really want to do in life. You never know what's around the corner. Time waits for no one, especially if you're a drummer. And it's a drag deleting contacts from my iPhone.
Sentimental section over.
Things I'm Loving These Days...
NCIS
Person Of Interest
The San Francisco Giants
Jeff Hamilton//Peter Erskine
A good pair of drumsticks (tougher to find than a good reed, IMO)
Being able to download Music and Books anywhere in the World.
Loose shoes.
When all my music is returned quickly from Symphony Orchestras...intact.
A good agent.
Locally owned Businesses.
Independent Films.
What I'm Not Loving These Days...
Musicians, etc. not getting paid for all those downloads I love so much.
Reality TV
TV Talking Heads, no matter the Political persuasion. Why Al Sharpton is on the air is as much a mystery to me as Glenn Beck.
Commuting, although the Quiet Car is a big help.
Intersections with tourists bunched up so I can't get through.
Blaming Musicians for the failures of their Executive Directors and Boards to raise money. We play the music... We'll do anything we can to help you raise funds, but at some point it's up to you to do your job too.
Airline prices, which are going through the roof and beyond. And the service is worse than ever.
People who "reach out"
OK, that's all Folks.
See you next time...
Mike B
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
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
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
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Has it really been that long?
Howdy Friends,
Didn't realize it had been since last June that I had added to my list of observations, rants and musings about the state of all things. Might do this one in the style of Larry King writing for USA Today. So here goes:
Has anyone ever actually attended a Play, Concert or other Event as a result of a FaceBook invite? Plus, if your event is in Auckland, NZ tomorrow night, chances are I'm busy.
Speaking of FaceBook...How do they make all that money? Have you ever purchased anything from their ads?
Been to eBay lately? Me neither. Seems like years since there was anything of interest for me. Is that true or am I just jaded, tired and/or cranky at the moment?
Been doing some nice concerts. A series of Sinatra and Basie at the Sands Tributes in Buffalo, Rochester, NY...West Virginia, Pa. More to come. Fun to play that great music with a big band swinging in support of Tony Babino, a wonderful singer.
Sonny Payne was a great big band drummer. Played stupendously on the Sands album behind Sinatra. Interesting to hear his approach as compared to Irv Cottler, Alvin Stoller and the rest of the Sinatra drummers. Of course it is behind the Basie band, but man oh man, it's just heavenly.
Enjoying working with many Symphony Pops Orchestras this season. Just did a wonderful Hollywood program with the SW Florida Symphony in Ft. Myers, Fl. Coming up, Santa Rosa, Ca., Columbus, Ohio, Detroit, Long Beach and more.
Have decided to do some private teaching here in my home studio in Newburgh, NY. Snare drum technique, Drum Set...all styles. Coaching for auditions. Reading at all levels. Give a call at 646 387 4030 or email berkowitz66@msn.com
Just read the Jeff Hamilton article in the Feb issue of Modern Drummer. He makes some very good points about Jazz drumming and career. Jeff says that he's into doing mostly his own projects these days as that's what we should all be working towards in our own lives. It's like when Joe Cocuzzo told me years ago that I should "Own My Own Store." Meaning that the path to happiness and true fulfillment comes from charting your own course and playing and performing music that you love. So, I applaud Jeff and also want to say I think he's an amazing drummer, and I'm the first to admit that I watch his videos often and lift as much as I can for my own amazement.
Ludwig Weather Master heads are really good and the best heads to put on a Ludwig drum. Just found this out thanks to drum builder and all around good guy Tim Hermann and, after having replaced the heads on my Black Beauty with Weather masters, the drum now sounds Amazeballs!
Another bit of drum wisdom from the great Peter Erskine. Saw this on a Baseball cap he was wearing. "Your Drum Solo Doesn't Have To Change The World!" Just wonderful. He seems to be turning into our teacher, George Gaber more and more each day as far as his wisdom and sensible approach to great music making.
For some reason, I've been on an Al Jolson kick. Love hearing him sing and just saw some video from 1949 Soldier's Field that is new to me. YouTube is my favorite place in the World. To think that you can search for just about anything and see it instantaneously on whatever device you're using...Fantabulous. Plus, I love iTunes and being able to find just about any obscure recording and have it on my iPhone in under a minute. For concert research, it has made all the difference.
LinkedIn? I use it. Stock price just went through the roof. Thoughts? Has it made it easier for you to get in touch with people? How is it vs. FaceBook? Business vs. Social?
Enjoying the lack of snow this Winter in NY. Please let it continue to be mild as I have trips to Minnesota and Detroit in the coming weeks.
Biopsy? Buy-opsy? Bye Bye-opsy?
What's the deal with people not returning calls, emails, etc these days? Are you really that busy? If the answer is no, simply say so and let's get on with it.
Congrats to Zach on his engagement. Family wedding soon. Always fun to see who shows up.
Infanticipating?
Love watching Morning Joe, Chris Mathews/Hardball and Rachel Maddow. Might have to keep my SiriusXM subscription so I can continue to listen to MSNBC while in the car.
Now on my 4th MiniCooper. Love them but think it's time for a change when the lease is up. Maybe, maybe not.
Maestro Barry Levitt has a great line about Cabaret in NYC. (Not the show...the genre.) He says, "It's the same 10 dollars. I go to your show, you go to my show..." Damn shame that the Algonquin has decided to close the venue there...citing diminishing crowds as one reason. Cultural change? Fewer people wanting to hear obscure show tunes and their even more obscure verses or more to do with the economy?
Used to see any number of Jazz programs on cable...not to mention Soundies on TCM. They all seem to be gone.
Watched Michael Feinstein's latest show in PBS about the GAS. (Great American Songbook but I love that GAS is the shorthand.) Nice show, still trying to figure out why there was a section on weightlifting while watching a video of Liberace talking and singing and playing Irving Berlin.
Doing a Gene Krupa Tribute in LA in May. BeBop period of the band...Gerry Mulligan charts. Can't wait to work with my friends in LA again. Greatest musoids in the World. With all due respect.
Broadway...anyone doing an original Musical these days? Book of Mormon, thank you very much. So many revivals. And then the revisions of the revivals...why not do the show the way it was originally presented? Don't you think the Authors and Composers knew what they were doing? And why bring back trunk songs or songs thrown out of the show in Boston, Philly or Baltimo? I guess on this issue I'm like Mitt Romney...Severely Conservative. Also quit trying to fix Follies and Merrily. They are what they are. George Kaufman couldn't make Merrily work as a play. The backward in time thing is a cute idea when you're looking at your face in the mirror, shaving...just doesn't work. He found that out. Nice Overture though.
Oh, so much more to say but as Sam Levenson used to say...You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself.
More to come.
Mike Berkowitz
Didn't realize it had been since last June that I had added to my list of observations, rants and musings about the state of all things. Might do this one in the style of Larry King writing for USA Today. So here goes:
Has anyone ever actually attended a Play, Concert or other Event as a result of a FaceBook invite? Plus, if your event is in Auckland, NZ tomorrow night, chances are I'm busy.
Speaking of FaceBook...How do they make all that money? Have you ever purchased anything from their ads?
Been to eBay lately? Me neither. Seems like years since there was anything of interest for me. Is that true or am I just jaded, tired and/or cranky at the moment?
Been doing some nice concerts. A series of Sinatra and Basie at the Sands Tributes in Buffalo, Rochester, NY...West Virginia, Pa. More to come. Fun to play that great music with a big band swinging in support of Tony Babino, a wonderful singer.
Sonny Payne was a great big band drummer. Played stupendously on the Sands album behind Sinatra. Interesting to hear his approach as compared to Irv Cottler, Alvin Stoller and the rest of the Sinatra drummers. Of course it is behind the Basie band, but man oh man, it's just heavenly.
Enjoying working with many Symphony Pops Orchestras this season. Just did a wonderful Hollywood program with the SW Florida Symphony in Ft. Myers, Fl. Coming up, Santa Rosa, Ca., Columbus, Ohio, Detroit, Long Beach and more.
Have decided to do some private teaching here in my home studio in Newburgh, NY. Snare drum technique, Drum Set...all styles. Coaching for auditions. Reading at all levels. Give a call at 646 387 4030 or email berkowitz66@msn.com
Just read the Jeff Hamilton article in the Feb issue of Modern Drummer. He makes some very good points about Jazz drumming and career. Jeff says that he's into doing mostly his own projects these days as that's what we should all be working towards in our own lives. It's like when Joe Cocuzzo told me years ago that I should "Own My Own Store." Meaning that the path to happiness and true fulfillment comes from charting your own course and playing and performing music that you love. So, I applaud Jeff and also want to say I think he's an amazing drummer, and I'm the first to admit that I watch his videos often and lift as much as I can for my own amazement.
Ludwig Weather Master heads are really good and the best heads to put on a Ludwig drum. Just found this out thanks to drum builder and all around good guy Tim Hermann and, after having replaced the heads on my Black Beauty with Weather masters, the drum now sounds Amazeballs!
Another bit of drum wisdom from the great Peter Erskine. Saw this on a Baseball cap he was wearing. "Your Drum Solo Doesn't Have To Change The World!" Just wonderful. He seems to be turning into our teacher, George Gaber more and more each day as far as his wisdom and sensible approach to great music making.
For some reason, I've been on an Al Jolson kick. Love hearing him sing and just saw some video from 1949 Soldier's Field that is new to me. YouTube is my favorite place in the World. To think that you can search for just about anything and see it instantaneously on whatever device you're using...Fantabulous. Plus, I love iTunes and being able to find just about any obscure recording and have it on my iPhone in under a minute. For concert research, it has made all the difference.
LinkedIn? I use it. Stock price just went through the roof. Thoughts? Has it made it easier for you to get in touch with people? How is it vs. FaceBook? Business vs. Social?
Enjoying the lack of snow this Winter in NY. Please let it continue to be mild as I have trips to Minnesota and Detroit in the coming weeks.
Biopsy? Buy-opsy? Bye Bye-opsy?
What's the deal with people not returning calls, emails, etc these days? Are you really that busy? If the answer is no, simply say so and let's get on with it.
Congrats to Zach on his engagement. Family wedding soon. Always fun to see who shows up.
Infanticipating?
Love watching Morning Joe, Chris Mathews/Hardball and Rachel Maddow. Might have to keep my SiriusXM subscription so I can continue to listen to MSNBC while in the car.
Now on my 4th MiniCooper. Love them but think it's time for a change when the lease is up. Maybe, maybe not.
Maestro Barry Levitt has a great line about Cabaret in NYC. (Not the show...the genre.) He says, "It's the same 10 dollars. I go to your show, you go to my show..." Damn shame that the Algonquin has decided to close the venue there...citing diminishing crowds as one reason. Cultural change? Fewer people wanting to hear obscure show tunes and their even more obscure verses or more to do with the economy?
Used to see any number of Jazz programs on cable...not to mention Soundies on TCM. They all seem to be gone.
Watched Michael Feinstein's latest show in PBS about the GAS. (Great American Songbook but I love that GAS is the shorthand.) Nice show, still trying to figure out why there was a section on weightlifting while watching a video of Liberace talking and singing and playing Irving Berlin.
Doing a Gene Krupa Tribute in LA in May. BeBop period of the band...Gerry Mulligan charts. Can't wait to work with my friends in LA again. Greatest musoids in the World. With all due respect.
Broadway...anyone doing an original Musical these days? Book of Mormon, thank you very much. So many revivals. And then the revisions of the revivals...why not do the show the way it was originally presented? Don't you think the Authors and Composers knew what they were doing? And why bring back trunk songs or songs thrown out of the show in Boston, Philly or Baltimo? I guess on this issue I'm like Mitt Romney...Severely Conservative. Also quit trying to fix Follies and Merrily. They are what they are. George Kaufman couldn't make Merrily work as a play. The backward in time thing is a cute idea when you're looking at your face in the mirror, shaving...just doesn't work. He found that out. Nice Overture though.
Oh, so much more to say but as Sam Levenson used to say...You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself.
More to come.
Mike Berkowitz
Thursday, June 9, 2011
iPhone Kindle
Good Morning,
As we slide into the summer, thought it was time to once again put pen to paper, as it were, and tell you what the noises in my head are saying.
I have been reading voraciously, (now that I have gotten over my Angry Birds obsession) mostly while making the daily trek into New York City from Casa de Berko in beautiful Balmville, NY.
Everything from Tina Fey's book, BossyPants (loved it but why the continual references to "poop"?), Dick Cavett's book, "Talk Show:Confrontations" which has some great things in it but gets name droppy in the way that Cavett always does (did). Judi Dench's Autobiography, Patti Lupones', Keith Richards', Marlo Thomas' book about growing up funny, Don Felder's tales of the Eagles and many more. I seem to read these things very quickly and love that I'm on page 4537 of 5569. At any rate, as you can tell, the reading I'm doing is mostly light celeb bios and they're fun. Just finished Barbara Sinatra's "Lady Blue Eyes", an account of her life before, during and after FAS> From what little I know, I think there should have been a better editor regarding simple facts, (The House I Live In was recorded in the 60's by Frank? New York, New York was a musical play that finally closed?) Anyway, I shoulda knowed better on that one. Uh oh, just got an update to my Angry Birds Rio, so maybe the reading will cease for the moment.
As I'm writing this, the American Symphony Orchestra League Conference is in full swing in Minneapolis. Executive Directors, Conductors, Staff and Board members all attend to hear what's happening in the World of Symphony Orchestras and how to fix the problems. I hope it's more than just blaming the Unions. The unions aren't the reason that people are not attending concerts as they used to. There are many reasons, but one that never gets mentioned is that there used to be what I will call, a European Tradition in this country of attending concerts, ballets, art museums and supporting cultural events. That Tradition, which came from our Familys, often just over on the boat or first generation US Citizens, was responsible in a very large part for the success and growth of all kinds of cultural institutions in our country. As that generation goes away and the cultural makeup of the US changes, we will never have that support again.
So, how do we remain relevant in our communities? How to we market music that has stood the test of time plus introduce new music and ideas to our audiences?
I haven't the answer, unfortunately. If I did, I would be a billionaire, sitting on my yacht, docked in Monte Carlo, lunching at the Hotel D'Paris.
I think we have to figure out how to become an indispensable part of our towns and become relevant to our constituents. I know we have to market concerts in new ways in order to reach new audiences. And it really is time to address the way concerts are presented, the dress, the locale, the programming, etc.
So, in the words of Casey Stengel, "Can't anybody here play this game?" I hope somebody figures it out before it's too late. I've still got a lot of music I want to play for the people. (Just read that this Summer's NY Phil Concerts in the Park are being canceled. If you can't make it here, you can't make it anywhere!!!)
Will list the latest and greatest in the way of new concert bookings next month. Lot's of exciting things coming up!
Stay cool. It's 23000 degrees in Manhattan as I write this.
MB
As we slide into the summer, thought it was time to once again put pen to paper, as it were, and tell you what the noises in my head are saying.
I have been reading voraciously, (now that I have gotten over my Angry Birds obsession) mostly while making the daily trek into New York City from Casa de Berko in beautiful Balmville, NY.
Everything from Tina Fey's book, BossyPants (loved it but why the continual references to "poop"?), Dick Cavett's book, "Talk Show:Confrontations" which has some great things in it but gets name droppy in the way that Cavett always does (did). Judi Dench's Autobiography, Patti Lupones', Keith Richards', Marlo Thomas' book about growing up funny, Don Felder's tales of the Eagles and many more. I seem to read these things very quickly and love that I'm on page 4537 of 5569. At any rate, as you can tell, the reading I'm doing is mostly light celeb bios and they're fun. Just finished Barbara Sinatra's "Lady Blue Eyes", an account of her life before, during and after FAS> From what little I know, I think there should have been a better editor regarding simple facts, (The House I Live In was recorded in the 60's by Frank? New York, New York was a musical play that finally closed?) Anyway, I shoulda knowed better on that one. Uh oh, just got an update to my Angry Birds Rio, so maybe the reading will cease for the moment.
As I'm writing this, the American Symphony Orchestra League Conference is in full swing in Minneapolis. Executive Directors, Conductors, Staff and Board members all attend to hear what's happening in the World of Symphony Orchestras and how to fix the problems. I hope it's more than just blaming the Unions. The unions aren't the reason that people are not attending concerts as they used to. There are many reasons, but one that never gets mentioned is that there used to be what I will call, a European Tradition in this country of attending concerts, ballets, art museums and supporting cultural events. That Tradition, which came from our Familys, often just over on the boat or first generation US Citizens, was responsible in a very large part for the success and growth of all kinds of cultural institutions in our country. As that generation goes away and the cultural makeup of the US changes, we will never have that support again.
So, how do we remain relevant in our communities? How to we market music that has stood the test of time plus introduce new music and ideas to our audiences?
I haven't the answer, unfortunately. If I did, I would be a billionaire, sitting on my yacht, docked in Monte Carlo, lunching at the Hotel D'Paris.
I think we have to figure out how to become an indispensable part of our towns and become relevant to our constituents. I know we have to market concerts in new ways in order to reach new audiences. And it really is time to address the way concerts are presented, the dress, the locale, the programming, etc.
So, in the words of Casey Stengel, "Can't anybody here play this game?" I hope somebody figures it out before it's too late. I've still got a lot of music I want to play for the people. (Just read that this Summer's NY Phil Concerts in the Park are being canceled. If you can't make it here, you can't make it anywhere!!!)
Will list the latest and greatest in the way of new concert bookings next month. Lot's of exciting things coming up!
Stay cool. It's 23000 degrees in Manhattan as I write this.
MB
Friday, April 22, 2011
The March Update...in April
All righty then...
I began to write this in early March but somehow the mind never fully engaged. Too much to do, think about and take care of, I guess.
Let's go back to February. 3 Concerts with the wonderful Elgin Symphony, featuring Rich Ridenour on piano. I really love this Orchestra. Gershwin's Concerto in F, Warsaw Concerto and a number of Movie selections made this a fun concert. Next time, I have to get a car. I was in the hotel in Elgin, working on proposals and other fun things, and never got out during the day. Should have at least made the trek into Chicago but the weather was horrible and the room was warm and dry.
Went right from there to Tahlequah, Ok. for a Big Band concert with a local band and Brian Anthony, singing Sinatra. Band was from Tulsa and they played their butts off. Amazing the number of really fine players to be found all over the place these days, if you know where to look. Brian did a fun selection of Sinatra songs,and not just the usuals either. He does Pennies From Heaven and All I Need Is The Girl, among others. I made him do Skin and NY NY or we would have been run out of town. In the end, the audience loved him and the show and I really developed a fondness for the area. Right in the middle of the Cherokee Nation, it was a place I look forward to seeing again in the near future. Loved the people and the town.
Followed this up with a Bernstein Sondheim Tribute with the Santa Rosa Symphony. Songs from West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Company, Candide, Forum, Night Music and more. Sarah Uriarte Berry and Eric Van Hoven. Both wonderfully talented singers who covered everything from Glitter and Be Gay to Getting Married Today and Maria to Little Priest. A lot to ask of two singers and these guys covered all the bases!
March found me at Carnegie Hall. playing drums on the Tribute To Judy Garland with the NY Pops.
A recreation of the 1961 April 23 comeback concert, it featured three Broadway singers, Ashley Brown, Karen Olivo and Heather Headley plus Lorna Luft. Lorna was really on, having flown all night from Palm Springs. Her renditions of The Man That Got Away, Come Rain Or Come Shine and Rock A Bye were really tremendous and gave the evening the jolt it needed. I thought the Pops played the music very well and our rhythm section of Jay Leonhart, Lee Musiker, Steve Bargonetti and myself had a ball playing together and making it feel good.
Two nights a Feinstein's with singer Jane Harvey along with Mike Renzi and Chip Jackson. Always great to play with Renzoid and Chip and I have years of road work together...just count it off and let us go. Jane did some of her Sondheim material and it was a challenge to play softly enough for her and still make it happen. Nice to see so many friends in the audience.
Next, back to Santa Rosa for two nights of Stayin Alive, a spot on sound alike Pops group from Canada covering the BeeGees musical canon.
Biggest audiences of the season! People dancing in the aisles, dancing in the balcony...even the cello section got up and danced! Hope to work with this group again!
Coming up...a Gala with Marvin Hamlisch in New Brunswick, NJ. Pops concerts in the future...Long Beach, Ca., Silicon Valley Symphony, California Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Naples Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Southwest Florida Symphony and more to come!
Big Band gigs coming up...Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY, Minnesota, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and more! Will keep everyone posted as to when, where, who, what and why!
Many symphony Orchestras are filing for Bankruptcy. The business model has to change folks. The marketing campaign has to change folks. We need to be relevant to our communities. The world is changing...we need not only to continue to perform the greatest music ever written but we also need to be thinking about how we can become an indispensable part of the cultural lives of where we perform. Got to do this smarter and better...I'd hate to think this would all be gone in 25 years...or that the Boards of these Orchestras were filing for Chapter 7 just to get out of paying pensions.
Oh well..
Until next time...
Berk
I began to write this in early March but somehow the mind never fully engaged. Too much to do, think about and take care of, I guess.
Let's go back to February. 3 Concerts with the wonderful Elgin Symphony, featuring Rich Ridenour on piano. I really love this Orchestra. Gershwin's Concerto in F, Warsaw Concerto and a number of Movie selections made this a fun concert. Next time, I have to get a car. I was in the hotel in Elgin, working on proposals and other fun things, and never got out during the day. Should have at least made the trek into Chicago but the weather was horrible and the room was warm and dry.
Went right from there to Tahlequah, Ok. for a Big Band concert with a local band and Brian Anthony, singing Sinatra. Band was from Tulsa and they played their butts off. Amazing the number of really fine players to be found all over the place these days, if you know where to look. Brian did a fun selection of Sinatra songs,and not just the usuals either. He does Pennies From Heaven and All I Need Is The Girl, among others. I made him do Skin and NY NY or we would have been run out of town. In the end, the audience loved him and the show and I really developed a fondness for the area. Right in the middle of the Cherokee Nation, it was a place I look forward to seeing again in the near future. Loved the people and the town.
Followed this up with a Bernstein Sondheim Tribute with the Santa Rosa Symphony. Songs from West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Company, Candide, Forum, Night Music and more. Sarah Uriarte Berry and Eric Van Hoven. Both wonderfully talented singers who covered everything from Glitter and Be Gay to Getting Married Today and Maria to Little Priest. A lot to ask of two singers and these guys covered all the bases!
March found me at Carnegie Hall. playing drums on the Tribute To Judy Garland with the NY Pops.
A recreation of the 1961 April 23 comeback concert, it featured three Broadway singers, Ashley Brown, Karen Olivo and Heather Headley plus Lorna Luft. Lorna was really on, having flown all night from Palm Springs. Her renditions of The Man That Got Away, Come Rain Or Come Shine and Rock A Bye were really tremendous and gave the evening the jolt it needed. I thought the Pops played the music very well and our rhythm section of Jay Leonhart, Lee Musiker, Steve Bargonetti and myself had a ball playing together and making it feel good.
Two nights a Feinstein's with singer Jane Harvey along with Mike Renzi and Chip Jackson. Always great to play with Renzoid and Chip and I have years of road work together...just count it off and let us go. Jane did some of her Sondheim material and it was a challenge to play softly enough for her and still make it happen. Nice to see so many friends in the audience.
Next, back to Santa Rosa for two nights of Stayin Alive, a spot on sound alike Pops group from Canada covering the BeeGees musical canon.
Biggest audiences of the season! People dancing in the aisles, dancing in the balcony...even the cello section got up and danced! Hope to work with this group again!
Coming up...a Gala with Marvin Hamlisch in New Brunswick, NJ. Pops concerts in the future...Long Beach, Ca., Silicon Valley Symphony, California Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Naples Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Southwest Florida Symphony and more to come!
Big Band gigs coming up...Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY, Minnesota, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and more! Will keep everyone posted as to when, where, who, what and why!
Many symphony Orchestras are filing for Bankruptcy. The business model has to change folks. The marketing campaign has to change folks. We need to be relevant to our communities. The world is changing...we need not only to continue to perform the greatest music ever written but we also need to be thinking about how we can become an indispensable part of the cultural lives of where we perform. Got to do this smarter and better...I'd hate to think this would all be gone in 25 years...or that the Boards of these Orchestras were filing for Chapter 7 just to get out of paying pensions.
Oh well..
Until next time...
Berk
Monday, February 14, 2011
February..the Shortest Month and yet...
Hey,
We're back again. About to embark on three concerts with the Elgin Symphony. Rich Ridenour is the piano soloist. Concerto in F, Exodus, Warsaw Concerto and me, playing the piano os Concerto for Index Finger, done originally by Gracie Allen.
Then, beautiful Tahlequah, OK. awaits for a big band concert on the 22nd of Feb. Singer Brian Anthony will be doing the Sinatra songbook...and some very interesting choices on the program. Should be fun.
And then, the mighty Santa Rosa Pops on the 26/27 in a Tribute to the Music of Lenny and Steve. Bernstein and Sondheim, that is.
This Winter has been the worst in many a year. Today the temperatures reached 58 degrees so we are getting a bit of a thaw. Nice to get rid of this dirty snow and slickery ice.
The lovely Deirdre and I attended a Valentine's Concert yesterday. Two singers doing Opera love duets. In a local church. Very nice way to spend an hour or two.
And then we began to discuss the Nature of Friendship over a Pizza. Over the years, I have always marveled at people who are surrounded by friends. The phone never stops ringing, dinners with pals, vacations together, backyard cookouts in the Summer...I have spent my entire life trying to figure out how to get that to happen to me. i have almost 2000 friends on Facebook but they never call or write, although I get a nice response to my almost daily status updates. It seems that my entire life is pretty much about my Music and my Wife and our kids. My son has a large network of friends, some from college, many others not. I have been in NY for over 31 years and pretty much can count on one hand the people I feel I can call. Now, it's true, I have lost some very close friends over the years to illnesses and worse, and perhaps those people are impossible to replace. But still, I wonder what makes the gathering of many friends so easy for some, and seemingly so difficult for myself. Luckily, I am married to the greatest person in the World, and maybe having a relationship so close and so mutually fulfilling doesn't make room for a whole lot more.
So, if you have any answers or insights to the above, let me know. I'd love to hear your take on the matter.
See you in a week or two.
MB
We're back again. About to embark on three concerts with the Elgin Symphony. Rich Ridenour is the piano soloist. Concerto in F, Exodus, Warsaw Concerto and me, playing the piano os Concerto for Index Finger, done originally by Gracie Allen.
Then, beautiful Tahlequah, OK. awaits for a big band concert on the 22nd of Feb. Singer Brian Anthony will be doing the Sinatra songbook...and some very interesting choices on the program. Should be fun.
And then, the mighty Santa Rosa Pops on the 26/27 in a Tribute to the Music of Lenny and Steve. Bernstein and Sondheim, that is.
This Winter has been the worst in many a year. Today the temperatures reached 58 degrees so we are getting a bit of a thaw. Nice to get rid of this dirty snow and slickery ice.
The lovely Deirdre and I attended a Valentine's Concert yesterday. Two singers doing Opera love duets. In a local church. Very nice way to spend an hour or two.
And then we began to discuss the Nature of Friendship over a Pizza. Over the years, I have always marveled at people who are surrounded by friends. The phone never stops ringing, dinners with pals, vacations together, backyard cookouts in the Summer...I have spent my entire life trying to figure out how to get that to happen to me. i have almost 2000 friends on Facebook but they never call or write, although I get a nice response to my almost daily status updates. It seems that my entire life is pretty much about my Music and my Wife and our kids. My son has a large network of friends, some from college, many others not. I have been in NY for over 31 years and pretty much can count on one hand the people I feel I can call. Now, it's true, I have lost some very close friends over the years to illnesses and worse, and perhaps those people are impossible to replace. But still, I wonder what makes the gathering of many friends so easy for some, and seemingly so difficult for myself. Luckily, I am married to the greatest person in the World, and maybe having a relationship so close and so mutually fulfilling doesn't make room for a whole lot more.
So, if you have any answers or insights to the above, let me know. I'd love to hear your take on the matter.
See you in a week or two.
MB
Monday, January 24, 2011
2011 is in Full Schving!
Hello Music Lovers,
Just off the Red Eye from San Francisco to Newark. Concert Sunday afternoon with the California Symphony and then on the plane at 10:20, arriving NY at 6:30 AM. New Jersey Transit train to Penn Station and then, that fog that comes with total lack of sleep.
Not sure about continuing the Red Eye for future trips. I love not losing an entire day at Home but the passengers on every one of these flights has included an array of characters more likely to be found in a Fellini movie or the Star Wars Cantina. And TSA still won't allow me to take my Light Saber on board...just for my protection, of course.
California Symphony was wonderful. Quick rehearsal where we went through a Mess O' Music and then a concert two hours later. Copland/Rodeo...Carmen Suites 1 & 2, Gypsy Overture, Star Wars Throne Room and End Title, ET Flying Theme, West Side Story...Man, my arm was killing me! A large number of the members of the Orchestra had recorded and toured with John Williams and when they played his music, it was AMAZING! I just sat back and enjoyed the ride,
Next up...Elgin Symphony with Rich Ridenour, Big Band gig with me and Brian Anthony doing Sinatra Songbook in beautiful Tahlequah, Ok. followed by Bernstein and Sondheim concert w/Santa Rosa Symphony.
Still too cold here in the East. We have got to get out of here and move to a place where the Sun likes to shine and warm is in the air.
Back for more soon.
Best,
MB
Just off the Red Eye from San Francisco to Newark. Concert Sunday afternoon with the California Symphony and then on the plane at 10:20, arriving NY at 6:30 AM. New Jersey Transit train to Penn Station and then, that fog that comes with total lack of sleep.
Not sure about continuing the Red Eye for future trips. I love not losing an entire day at Home but the passengers on every one of these flights has included an array of characters more likely to be found in a Fellini movie or the Star Wars Cantina. And TSA still won't allow me to take my Light Saber on board...just for my protection, of course.
California Symphony was wonderful. Quick rehearsal where we went through a Mess O' Music and then a concert two hours later. Copland/Rodeo...Carmen Suites 1 & 2, Gypsy Overture, Star Wars Throne Room and End Title, ET Flying Theme, West Side Story...Man, my arm was killing me! A large number of the members of the Orchestra had recorded and toured with John Williams and when they played his music, it was AMAZING! I just sat back and enjoyed the ride,
Next up...Elgin Symphony with Rich Ridenour, Big Band gig with me and Brian Anthony doing Sinatra Songbook in beautiful Tahlequah, Ok. followed by Bernstein and Sondheim concert w/Santa Rosa Symphony.
Still too cold here in the East. We have got to get out of here and move to a place where the Sun likes to shine and warm is in the air.
Back for more soon.
Best,
MB
Monday, December 20, 2010
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
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
Friday, November 19, 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
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
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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
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
Thursday, October 7, 2010
This should be fun!
TODAY'S BEST BET
Pocket Sandwich gets spooky with ‘Dracula: The Melodrama’
View Full Calendar »
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.
Pocket Sandwich gets spooky with ‘Dracula: The Melodrama’
View Full Calendar »
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.
Thursday, August 26, 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.
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.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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
This e-mail was sent from ARTRA Artists Management
Immediate removal with PatronMail®
SecureUnsubscribe.
To forward this e-mail to a friend or colleague, use this link.
To change your e-mail address or update preferences, use this link.
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
This e-mail was sent from ARTRA Artists Management
Immediate removal with PatronMail®
SecureUnsubscribe.
To forward this e-mail to a friend or colleague, use this link.
To change your e-mail address or update preferences, use this link.
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