And we're open!

Hi Ho,

If you read this page, I'm sure you know Liza at the Palace has opened to rave reviews and she is the Toast of Broadway.

Here's Billy Stritch, LM and myself at the Curtain Call Opening Night.

The show is amazing and the highlight for me is hearing Liza sing the new verse into the "Judy At The Palace Medley". When the audience understands she's singing about her Mother and then we do the number itself, I'm usually teary eyed. Pretty emotional stuff.

Anyway, NYC is bursting at the seams with people walking around...More than I think I've ever seen before. Judging from the bleak economic news, I wonder what they're doing? Buying? Going to the Movies? Shows? Whatever, it's an unbelievable number of walkers, talkers and gawkers.

Getting some new DW drums. Jazz Series, (like the old Gretsch 3 ply maple/gum/maple shells). Black Ice is the color. Loving the DW's I'm using on the show.

If anyone wants or needs a drum set for Xmas, I've got 2 or 3 to sell...All in perfect, brand new, right off the showroom floor condition. Email me at berkowitz66@msn.com A good deal for you, guaranteed.

We're putting up the Tree tonight. Our tradition is Deirdre does all the work and I smoke a cigar and drink Cognac. That's why we're still together all these years.

Have a Happy Everything, (in the words of Kay Thompson)...

Til the next time,

Mike B.

About to start NY NY...

The 22o Euro Pencil Sharpener.

And we're back! December 1, 2008.

About to go into NY for the first day of rehearsals for LIZA'S AT THE PALACE, which opens on Dec. 3.

Backstage in RI...My drums.

Since my last post, I've been to Santa Rosa to conduct the Orchestra, then a 26 hour day of travel to Rome for a series of Concerts in Italy with Liza Minnelli.We did 7 concerts in 20 days so there was plenty of time to sight see in Rome, Florence, Bari (not so much actually), Bologna, Milan, Torino, (looked very interesting but we just came in. played and then left) and Campignon.

Great concerts and the lovely Deirdre was with me for Santa Rosa, Rome and Florence.Did a bit of shopping and purchased a 220 Euro Pencil Sharpener in Milan that is amazing.

Back on Saturday the 15th...In the studio with Liza and the band on the 16th all day to finish the new CD.

Off the 17th and then on to Woonsocket, RI for 4 warmup dates for the Palace. We played at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, very nice place. The Patriot Diner was our hangout during the week with the best Chicken Rice soup anywhere.

Back on Sunday night, a day off and then Tuesday rehearsal for Wednesday Rosie Live Show with Liza doing a version of City Lights with Rosie. I was in my car at 8:34 pm and home in Newburgh at 9:36 pm...

Lovely Thanksgiving at home...a few days of rest and on to the Palace.

Hope to see you there!

MB

Liza's At The Palace

“Liza's At The Palace...!”


LIZA MINNELLI In ConcertLiza Minnelli will bring her unmatchable magic to Broadway, when she stars in her new show “Liza’s At The Palace…!” opening Wednesday, December 3rd (6:30PM) at the Palace Theatre (Broadway & 47th Street) for a limited engagement through December 14th. Produced by John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents & Jubilee Time Productions and directed and choreographed by Ron Lewis, the evening will feature an incomparable Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favorites and signature hits, followed by a dance-filled tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson. Gary Labriola will serve as Executive Producer.
Along with a twelve-man orchestra led by conductor/drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch, “Liza’s At The Palace…!” will be highlighted with many of Liza’s showstoppers such as “Cabaret,” “Maybe This Time,” and “New York New York” – all written especially for her by the legendary Broadway song writing partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb. For the first time onstage, Liza will pay an affectionate salute to her godmother, the late Kay Thompson who was a legendary performer (“Think Pink!” from “Funny Face”), author (“Eloise at the Plaza”) as well a gifted vocal arranger and Music Director/vocal coach at MGM Studios who worked with stars such as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers, Liza will perform musical hits (with the original vocal arrangements) from Thompson's act including such numbers as “I Love a Violin,” “Clap Yo' Hands,” “Jubilee Time” and “Hello Hello”---set to brand-new staging and choreography by Mr. Lewis. Accompanying her onstage will be Cortés Alexander, Jim Caruso, Tiger Martina and Johnny Rodgers.
The concert performance will be scripted by Liza and Tony Award-winner David Zippel, and will be full of personal stories, anecdotes and heartfelt reminiscences embraced in a theatrical setting featuring scenery by Ray Klausen, costumes by Halston, lighting by Matthew Berman and sound by Matt Kraus.



In other news, the Krupa date at Iridium was amazing. Full houses for both shows. And, they want the band back for New Year's Eve, so stay tuned. In attendance were members of the Liza troupe, Butch Miles and some old friends from long ago. Hilary Kole was our amazing "chick singer" and Frank Perowsky came in and did some Krupa Quartet numbers. Don't miss the next one!!!



Worked with Billy Stritch on Friday at the Metropolitan Room with Klea Blackhurst. They did their Hoagy Carmichael Show...fun to do and play. I'm on the record but I'd never done a gig with them until Friday.



And Saturday we were in Princeton, NJ at the McCarter Theatre performing with Christine Ebersole and Mr. Stritch. 2 Shows, great music and wonderful audiences. John Arbo was the bass player both nights and I really enjoyed working with him, too.

Wed and Thursday this week we're in the studio with Ms. Minnelli and then
off to Santa Rosa, Ca. on Friday for Opening concerts of the new Pops Season.

Italy tour with Liza...

Come see us.

Ciao!

Mike Berkowitz

October 8, 2008

Hello World.

Just back from a quick Press tour of Rome with Liza Minnelli to publicize the upcoming Italian tour. Saw some of the sights, including Liza at the Trevi Fountain, did two Television Shows with her and had too much to eat. More about the upcoming Italian tour next time. In other Liza news, we're going to be in Woonsocket, RI in late November for 4 days or so as a tune up for a very probable Broadway run. All will be announced very soon when the ink is dry on the page.

Don't forget: THE GENE KRUPA BAND with HILARY KOLE is at IRIDIUM Tuesday, October 14th for two shows, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. Great band, great singer, great music. If you're reading this page, you should come on out and see us in person. Never know who might show up that night.

Also, we are doing a Tribute To Gene Krupa in honor of his 100th Birthday on January 13th, 2009 at Iridium. GK's birthday is January 15, 1909 so we're as close as the booking would allow.
Special guests and a big celebration for the Man who started it all, Gene Krupa, America's Drumming Man.

Santa Rosa, Ca. October 25/26. Opening Night for the new Season with the Santa Rosa Symphony. Mancini Magic!!! Cecil Welch, Steve Dokken, Joe Thalken and me on the Podium. The best music anywhere.


Coming up: Liza in Italy news...Liza on Broadway news...Krupa Band tour of Florida...Krupa Band dates with The Four Freshmen and Jack Jones...Symphony Pops dates...and pictures!

See you around,
Mike Berkowitz

Can you name the 3 drummers in the picture? Send me your answers at berkowitz66@msn.com

Sept. 19th 2008

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

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

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

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