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
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)