Greetings One and All,
Some new things to report on so here goes. First of all, the Gene Krupa Band will be appearing at Iridium Jazz Club in NYC on October 14th for 2 shows. Joining us will be Hilary Kole,
http://www.hilarykole.com/ She's an amazing singer and I'm thrilled she'll be with us at Iridium.
The Band is:
Tony Kadleck, Brian Pareschi, Bud Burridge and Craig Johnson on Trumpets.
Clint Sharman, Bruce Eidem, Pete McGuiness and George Flynn on Trombones.
Steve Kenyon, Chuck Wilson, Dan Willis, Ben Kono and Ed Xiques on Saxes.
Chip Jackson on Bass and Ken Ascher on Piano, with me on drums and perhaps a special guest.
Liza and the Minnoolians were in Louisville, Ky for one performance and then big two shows in St. Charles, Mo. (outside of St. Louis).
We were in downtown Louisville in a older hotel...small rooms and odd food. The big event was the moving of the secret recipe of Colonel Sanders' KFC to a new location. It was the lead story on all the local news shows, showing a gentleman emerging from a black car, with a briefcase, containing the 11 secret herbs and spices formula, (salt, pepper, MSG, paprika, onion salt? What else?) shackled to his wrist. Ah, the Midwest. Why did I ever leave?
We took a bus to St. Louis on Wednesday. 7 plus hours, including two rest stops and lunch in Evansville, Indiana at Liza's fave, Olive Garden. She had the Apricot Chicken, I had the Chicken Parmigiana. Lovely folks and the food was surprisingly OK for chain Italian.
We arrived at the Ameristar Hotel in St. Charles, Mo. It's a large Casino, technically on the River, so they can have Gambling. The rooms were wonderful. The food was pretty swell too.
Although we stayed at the Casino, we played at the Lindenwood College Performing Arts Center's Opening. Two nights of sold out audiences. Had a few friends in the area so was nice to reconnect. (Forgot to say that we saw John LaBarbera in Louisville, arranger for Buddy Rich and now part of the Jazz Program at U of Louisville...Great hang and lot's of funny stories.)
Off for a week or two, so doing Library work at home and enjoying the time away from the Airport.
Will probably be going to Rome with Liza for some Press prior to our Italian tour that begins Oct. 29. Check out the schedule on http://www.officiallizaminnelli.com/ so you know where we're playing.
Oct. 25 & 26 will find me at the Santa Rosa Symphony for the Opening Concerts of the new Pops Season, 2008/09. Mancini Magic is the concert and once again, it's all Henry Mancini's greatest hits.
I'm tempted to start a Keith Olbermann type portion of this blog to the Worst People in the World...I'm too nice to actually do that, but you know who you are.
No pictures this time...nothing exciting to show but I promise some great shots from Italy and after.
Hopefully Liza will be on Broadway in December with our present show, featuring the Kay Thompson section as well as Liza's hits and some surprises. Will let you know as soon as the theatre is announced.
That's it for now.
Facebook anyone?
Best,
Mike Berkowitz
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
And we're back...
September 7, 2008
Hi Gang,
New blog, new look and new things to talk about. The old page was getting to be too big and very slow so we've moved over to this neighborhood. Looks to be very nice so far.
First and foremost, the Gene Krupa Band will be at Iridium in NY City on October 14th for two shows, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. 51st and Broadway in Manhattan. Come and hear the band!!!
Lexington Symphony gig was great. Did two concerts with the Orchestra out at this gigantic Horse Farm facility. Audiences for both nights were sold out, around 4 thousand each evening.
The Saturday night crowd was quite festive...There was dancing in front of the stage, Pink Panther cutouts roaming through the crowd (this was Mancini Magic if I didn't mention it) and I got a plate of delicious brownies from one of the front tables, which were quicky eaten by members of the Orchestra, the brownies, not the tables.
We're doing Mancini again with the Santa Rosa Symphony October 25 & 26, so I expect to see you there at the Concert. You know who you are.
Liza and the Minnoolians were in Chicago last weekend (Aug 30) for a concert at the Venue in Hammond, Indiana. Lot's of nice folks and I bought an amazing snare drum at Steve Maxwell's Drum Shop in the Fine Arts Building. This drum sounds so good that members of the band as well as a couple of sound techs asked me what was different about my snare drum on the concert.
The Minnollians leave tomorrow (the 8th) for Louisville Kentucky for a concert there on Tuesday night and then 2 concerts in St. Charles, Mo. on the 11th & 12th.
Then I fly back on Saturday the 13th at 6 am so I can attend my step daughter Mieke's Wedding.
Looking forward to a night of fun and family.
That's it for now. Go to my Facebook page for a few laughs and sign up to be my friend. Jim Caruso just joined and I think he has over 10 million friends...or close to it. Caruso knows everyone in the World. When I tell people I work with Liza Minnelli, they always tell me to say HI to Jim.
See you soon...
Mike Berkowitz
www.berkmusic.com
Hi Gang,
New blog, new look and new things to talk about. The old page was getting to be too big and very slow so we've moved over to this neighborhood. Looks to be very nice so far.
First and foremost, the Gene Krupa Band will be at Iridium in NY City on October 14th for two shows, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. 51st and Broadway in Manhattan. Come and hear the band!!!
Lexington Symphony gig was great. Did two concerts with the Orchestra out at this gigantic Horse Farm facility. Audiences for both nights were sold out, around 4 thousand each evening.
The Saturday night crowd was quite festive...There was dancing in front of the stage, Pink Panther cutouts roaming through the crowd (this was Mancini Magic if I didn't mention it) and I got a plate of delicious brownies from one of the front tables, which were quicky eaten by members of the Orchestra, the brownies, not the tables.
We're doing Mancini again with the Santa Rosa Symphony October 25 & 26, so I expect to see you there at the Concert. You know who you are.
Liza and the Minnoolians were in Chicago last weekend (Aug 30) for a concert at the Venue in Hammond, Indiana. Lot's of nice folks and I bought an amazing snare drum at Steve Maxwell's Drum Shop in the Fine Arts Building. This drum sounds so good that members of the band as well as a couple of sound techs asked me what was different about my snare drum on the concert.
The Minnollians leave tomorrow (the 8th) for Louisville Kentucky for a concert there on Tuesday night and then 2 concerts in St. Charles, Mo. on the 11th & 12th.
Then I fly back on Saturday the 13th at 6 am so I can attend my step daughter Mieke's Wedding.
Looking forward to a night of fun and family.
That's it for now. Go to my Facebook page for a few laughs and sign up to be my friend. Jim Caruso just joined and I think he has over 10 million friends...or close to it. Caruso knows everyone in the World. When I tell people I work with Liza Minnelli, they always tell me to say HI to Jim.
See you soon...
Mike Berkowitz
www.berkmusic.com
Friday, August 1, 2008
Hello Fun Seekers!
Here's what's been happening. The Hartford Symphony Concerts with Spectrum were amazing. Two concerts, 7000 screaming people each night. The Orchestra was a dream band, played the arrangements beautifully and had a really fun vibe. Nice folks and hope to be back with the Hartford Symphony again soon. Left July 18th with Liza and the Minnoolians for concerts in Ulm, Regensburg, Wolfsburg and San Sebastian.
Landed in Munich...Nice Hotel. Did a bit of sightseeing, walking around and eating.
Concert in Ulm, next to the World's Highest Cathedral. Just before soundcheck, there was a torrential downpour with the wind blowing everything around. But, all was clear and calm for the Concert.
On stage in Ulm. The red drums were a big hit.
Another day off in Munich...went to Stuttgart and Metzinger to visit Porsche Factory and Hugo Boss factory. Both big disappointments. Neither gave out any free samples.
Then a concert in the Medieval city of Regensburg. Here's a video link to a German TV spot about the concert. I'm visible a couple of times behind the drums as are Billy Stritch and Liza. (If the link doesn't work, cut and paste it into your browser address line.)
http://www.mittelbayerische.de/_misc/videoplayer/videoplayer_365x325.cfm?pid=3299&pk=732
Then a concert in the Medieval city of Regensburg. Here's a video link to a German TV spot about the concert. I'm visible a couple of times behind the drums as are Billy Stritch and Liza. (If the link doesn't work, cut and paste it into your browser address line.)
http://www.mittelbayerische.de/_misc/videoplayer/videoplayer_365x325.cfm?pid=3299&pk=732
View from the driver's seat in Regensburg. Below: Either a stick up or I'm about to give a down beat in Regensburg. Love the Four Season shirt.
Off to the Autostadt in Wolfsburg. Stayed at the Ritz Carlton on the grounds of the VW factory. Kind of like an automobile Disneyland with Museums, Shops, etc. on the grounds. And facing the power plant built by Albert Speer in 1936 right out my window.
Nice, huh?
Saw Herbie Hancock with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums the night before our concert. I sat right off stage next to Vinnie for the concert. Was fun watching Vinnie do his thing...Amazing drummer!
Then a wild ride to the airport in a van caravan, (The Bourne Concerts...) so we could take off in a charter plane for Vittoria Spain, en route to San Sebastian.
San Sebastian was very beautiful.
We played in the Silver slanted building...San Sebastian Jazz Festival. Heard a kid's band playing IN THE MOOD right outside the stage door. Sounded good but the drummers never play the cowbell part on the last repeat like Moe Purtill. Call me a stickler for detail but gee whiz, it's on the record.
Coney Island on the 7th. Primm Nevada on the 16th. I'm conducting the Lexington Ky. Symphony Aug 22 & 23 in Mancini Magic Concerts and then the 30th in Hammond Indiana at the Horseshoe Casino.
See you there.
MB
See you there.
MB
Monday, July 7, 2008
Greetings, Music Lovers!
My room came with a second floor terrace, overlooking the Vineyards, plus an outdoor Jacuzzi!
The week before I conducted the opening concert of Concerts By The Lake in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Played at the Ferro Pavilion, a brand new facility which holds about 2000 people and a new roof that leaks when it rains.
I did the first half of the concert with the Chicago Philharmonic, a wonderful group made up of players from the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra and other area freelancers.
Did Mancini Magic. Brought Cecil Welch and Steve Dokken with me, my Mancini regulars.
This was the first Mancini Concert since our drummer (and Hank's) Jack Gilfoy joined the choir.
So, I conducted and played drums on the show, which we dedicated to Jack's memory.
This weekend: Hartford Symphony with SPECTRUM. The 11th & 13th.
See you soon.
MB
Monday, June 23, 2008
June 23, 2008
Home for 10 days and then out to Los Angeles to conduct the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for Liza's Induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame.
We arrived in LA and the weather was very very hot. I had rented a convertible but the heat made it impossible to put the top down. Just AC on the coldest setting for the entire trip.
BB King, James Galway and Liza were the honorees. All performed and all were great.
The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra is made up of the best studio and concert musicians in LA and the World for that matter. They played everything from Shostakovich to Kander and Ebb with the same brilliance.
I conducted from the drums, in front of the Orchestra...somewhat unusual but it went off without a hitch.
Liza was, as always, amazing. Her vocals are so strong and even in the heat, she moved and danced like a 19 year old!
She and I had a great impromptu moment during rehearsal where we recreated the ending of the Fred Astaire dance to SHINE ON YOUR SHOES. On stage, at the Bowl, I got to dance, (not really...but I try) with Liza. When asked to repeat my efforts for the Choreographer, I begged off...better I stay behind the drums or on the Podium.
This Saturday night, the 28th, in Lake Geneva, Wisc. with the Chicago Philharmonic, I'll be doing a first half tribute to Henry Mancini. Second half, Maureen McGovern.
July 11 & 13th with Spectrum and the Hartford Symphony in Simsbury, Ct. Outdoors....Come hear the music play!!!
More to come soon.
Stay cool.
Mike B.
We arrived in LA and the weather was very very hot. I had rented a convertible but the heat made it impossible to put the top down. Just AC on the coldest setting for the entire trip.
BB King, James Galway and Liza were the honorees. All performed and all were great.
The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra is made up of the best studio and concert musicians in LA and the World for that matter. They played everything from Shostakovich to Kander and Ebb with the same brilliance.
I conducted from the drums, in front of the Orchestra...somewhat unusual but it went off without a hitch.
She and I had a great impromptu moment during rehearsal where we recreated the ending of the Fred Astaire dance to SHINE ON YOUR SHOES. On stage, at the Bowl, I got to dance, (not really...but I try) with Liza. When asked to repeat my efforts for the Choreographer, I begged off...better I stay behind the drums or on the Podium.
This Saturday night, the 28th, in Lake Geneva, Wisc. with the Chicago Philharmonic, I'll be doing a first half tribute to Henry Mancini. Second half, Maureen McGovern.
July 11 & 13th with Spectrum and the Hartford Symphony in Simsbury, Ct. Outdoors....Come hear the music play!!!
More to come soon.
Stay cool.
Mike B.
Monday, June 9, 2008
June 9, 2008
Hello out there. Mike Berkowitz back from 19 days on the road and glad to be home. A few things to talk about this month. I was inducted into the Hall of Fame at my High School in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 27th. 41 years after Graduation, I am now hanging on the wall alongside the sitting Governor of the State of Indiana, Mitch Daniels and Ballerina Elaine Bauer. Quite an honor to be included and I thank the good folks at North Central for including me.
Did the American Theatre Wing's Gala on Monday the 19th of May. Don Pippin, David Finck and myself were the musicians backing David Hyde Pierce, Debby Gravitte, Faith Prince and Leslie Uggams in a Tribute to Jerry Herman.
On May 20th, I left JFK with Liza Minnelli, headed for Moscow, which was the first stop on a tour that included Concerts in London, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Here we are in the B1 Club in Moscow. Billy Stritch, me, LM and Chip Jackson's hand on his Bass.
Moscow was pretty amazing. Went to Red Square, many fine restaurants, shopping galore and more traffic than I've ever seen.
As usual, Liza was spectacular...
Then on the 24th, off to London, where we were detained at Immigration for lack of proper Work Visas.
After a sleepless night, the proper papers were secured at 4 pm prior to our Opening at the London Coliseum at 7:30 that same night!
Onstage at the London Coliseum during Soundcheck.
Three Brilliant Shows in London by Liza and the Band and the Boys. The Reviews, which you can find on Google, were Unanimous in their praise for Liza's performance(s). The audiences were standing up after every number and the theatre was like a Power Plant, there was so much energy and electricity in the room.
The same excitement followed us to Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Liza was on fire and had the audiences eating out of her hand!
After Glasgow on Friday the 6th, I left at 5:50 am for a flight to Amsterdam. Left Amsterdam at 10:20 am for Detroit. Arrived in Detroit at 1 pm, cleared Customs and drove 200 miles to Roscommon, Mi for a Big Band concert. Arrived at 5:45, rehearsed with the band, (Thanks Bill Sears) and did a concert at 8 pm.
Three standing ovations later, it was all over at 10:15 and I went to my hotel for some rest.
Arrived back in Newburgh, NY at 4 pm and had a great reunion with the lovely Deirdre, my son Seth and his bride to be, Susan. Wonderful finish to a wonderful bit of touring.
Coming up...The Hollywood Bowl Opening Night with Liza, June 20th.
June 28th in Lake Geneva with Maureen McGovern.
July 11 / 13 with the Hartford Symphony and SPECTRUM, my favorite Motown Band.
Then onto Spain and Germany with Liza...August 22/23 with the Lexington Phil, MANCINI MAGIC strikes again!
Until next time...
MB
Did the American Theatre Wing's Gala on Monday the 19th of May. Don Pippin, David Finck and myself were the musicians backing David Hyde Pierce, Debby Gravitte, Faith Prince and Leslie Uggams in a Tribute to Jerry Herman.
On May 20th, I left JFK with Liza Minnelli, headed for Moscow, which was the first stop on a tour that included Concerts in London, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Here we are in the B1 Club in Moscow. Billy Stritch, me, LM and Chip Jackson's hand on his Bass.
Moscow was pretty amazing. Went to Red Square, many fine restaurants, shopping galore and more traffic than I've ever seen.
As usual, Liza was spectacular...
Then on the 24th, off to London, where we were detained at Immigration for lack of proper Work Visas.
After a sleepless night, the proper papers were secured at 4 pm prior to our Opening at the London Coliseum at 7:30 that same night!
Onstage at the London Coliseum during Soundcheck.
Three Brilliant Shows in London by Liza and the Band and the Boys. The Reviews, which you can find on Google, were Unanimous in their praise for Liza's performance(s). The audiences were standing up after every number and the theatre was like a Power Plant, there was so much energy and electricity in the room.
The same excitement followed us to Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Liza was on fire and had the audiences eating out of her hand!
After Glasgow on Friday the 6th, I left at 5:50 am for a flight to Amsterdam. Left Amsterdam at 10:20 am for Detroit. Arrived in Detroit at 1 pm, cleared Customs and drove 200 miles to Roscommon, Mi for a Big Band concert. Arrived at 5:45, rehearsed with the band, (Thanks Bill Sears) and did a concert at 8 pm.
Three standing ovations later, it was all over at 10:15 and I went to my hotel for some rest.
Arrived back in Newburgh, NY at 4 pm and had a great reunion with the lovely Deirdre, my son Seth and his bride to be, Susan. Wonderful finish to a wonderful bit of touring.
Coming up...The Hollywood Bowl Opening Night with Liza, June 20th.
June 28th in Lake Geneva with Maureen McGovern.
July 11 / 13 with the Hartford Symphony and SPECTRUM, my favorite Motown Band.
Then onto Spain and Germany with Liza...August 22/23 with the Lexington Phil, MANCINI MAGIC strikes again!
Until next time...
MB
Monday, May 5, 2008
Review
Hello,
Back from a string of Minnelli dates in Mexico and Ft. Worth. But before I tell you all about what's happening in the World of Liza, I must report that Jack Gilfoy, drummer with Henry Mancini for 30 years, colleague and friend of mine for over 40 years, passed away in his sleep last Saturday morning. If you look below, you can see Jack, Steve Dokken, Cecil Welch and me in Naples, Florida, following a wonderful concert with the Naples Philharmonic on April 11/12. Jack will be missed by me more that he probably would think to be reasonable...(his Hoosier sensibilities being what they were.) I'm sure Hank Mancini is glad to have Jack back in his band.
Liza and the Minnoolians were in Mexico for three great concerts last week. The first one was in Guadalajara. An amazing Concert Hall...all clad in shiny metal like the Disney Hall in Los Angeles. 5000 people attended. Liza was on her game, singing better than ever and dancing up a storm. On to Mexico City, for another concert, this time 8000 people in attendance. Multiple Standing Ovations! Liza's sister, Tina Nina sang "On A Clear Day" with her. While rehearsing this number, (which we did as a slow Bossa Nova with a quickie arrangement by Ross Konikoff, long time Liza trumpeter), an earthquake of 5.8 magnitude started shaking the Intercontinental Hotel. Liza was singing away and I finally stopped and said, "I think we're having an Earthquake!" Liza simply turned around and said, "That's what happens when the Minnelli's sing together!"
On to Puebla for our final concert. When the band arrived at the Hall, a first. No one had ordered a Piano for the Concert! After much back and forth between the Promoters and Liza's manager, a piano did appear in time for the Show. And once again, another spectacular performance, bringing the Crowd to it's feet after practically every number.
So, Mexico was fun. An earthquake, a live Volcano sighting as we left Puebla, interesting food choices like Goat! and no Piano!!! Ah, life on the road.
In Ft. Worth, we played a Gala for the 10th Anniversary of the Bass Performing Arts Center. What a place! I was there in 98 with Diana Ross for the Opening and now back 10 years later with Liza. Sold out crowd, amazing review:
Back from a string of Minnelli dates in Mexico and Ft. Worth. But before I tell you all about what's happening in the World of Liza, I must report that Jack Gilfoy, drummer with Henry Mancini for 30 years, colleague and friend of mine for over 40 years, passed away in his sleep last Saturday morning. If you look below, you can see Jack, Steve Dokken, Cecil Welch and me in Naples, Florida, following a wonderful concert with the Naples Philharmonic on April 11/12. Jack will be missed by me more that he probably would think to be reasonable...(his Hoosier sensibilities being what they were.) I'm sure Hank Mancini is glad to have Jack back in his band.
Liza and the Minnoolians were in Mexico for three great concerts last week. The first one was in Guadalajara. An amazing Concert Hall...all clad in shiny metal like the Disney Hall in Los Angeles. 5000 people attended. Liza was on her game, singing better than ever and dancing up a storm. On to Mexico City, for another concert, this time 8000 people in attendance. Multiple Standing Ovations! Liza's sister, Tina Nina sang "On A Clear Day" with her. While rehearsing this number, (which we did as a slow Bossa Nova with a quickie arrangement by Ross Konikoff, long time Liza trumpeter), an earthquake of 5.8 magnitude started shaking the Intercontinental Hotel. Liza was singing away and I finally stopped and said, "I think we're having an Earthquake!" Liza simply turned around and said, "That's what happens when the Minnelli's sing together!"
On to Puebla for our final concert. When the band arrived at the Hall, a first. No one had ordered a Piano for the Concert! After much back and forth between the Promoters and Liza's manager, a piano did appear in time for the Show. And once again, another spectacular performance, bringing the Crowd to it's feet after practically every number.
So, Mexico was fun. An earthquake, a live Volcano sighting as we left Puebla, interesting food choices like Goat! and no Piano!!! Ah, life on the road.
In Ft. Worth, we played a Gala for the 10th Anniversary of the Bass Performing Arts Center. What a place! I was there in 98 with Diana Ross for the Opening and now back 10 years later with Liza. Sold out crowd, amazing review:
REVIEW
Liza's still got lots of pizazz
BY MARK LOWRY STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Liza Minnelli, still in fantastic form, performs Saturday in the headlining show in Bass Hall's 10th-anniversary celebration.
FORT WORTH -- There was a moment in Liza Minnelli's Bass Hall debut Saturday night where, right before she brought home -- as only Liza can -- the Gershwin song The Man I Love, she giggled ever so adorably.
That's a good analogy for her overall bravura performance, the headlining show in Bass Hall's weeklong 10th-anniversary celebration.
Throughout the show she absolutely tore up (in the best sense) Broadway songs and American standards. Minnelli, still in fantastic vocal form at 62, dedicated a song to Fort Worth's Van Cliburn, whom she called a "good friend."
And all the way through she joked about her very public personal life, admitting "I have had it; I've learned my lesson" before doing a Sophie Tucker hit, I'm Living Alone (And I Like It), and confessing that she can now really identify with one of the stage roles she played, husband-murdering Roxie Hart, before My Own Best Friend from the musical Chicago (it was cut from the film, kids).
The point is, after several sparkly costume changes (the girl is back in dancer shape, lookin' good in knee-high boots and leotards), frequent engaging banter with the audience and two hours of her song-interpretation trademarks (breathy pauses, heavy S's and big song finishes), Liza hasn't lost any of the pizazz on which she built her career.
Speaking of pizazz, her multi-song tribute to her mentor and godmother Kay Thompson's nightclub act, complete with four gents as the Williams brothers (Andy and three sibs), was a high-energy thrill.
It, like the rest of the show, proved that Liza baby, you still got it.
mlowry@star-telegram.com
Mark Lowry, 817-390-7747
We're off to the Beau Rivage Casino this weekend. Then on to Moscow, the UK and Liza's induction into the Hollywood Bowl's Hall of Fame on June 20th...Opening Night at the Bowl!
See you in the airport or at the gig.
Mike B.
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