March 11, 2008

Hello Everyone,

Been busy and also under the weather so the updates on this page have suffered a bit.

New Year's Eve with Freddy Cole in North Carolina was a joy. Freddy is a wonderful performer and working with him and his talented Quartet was a great way to bring in the New Year.

Then down to Englewood, Florida for two concerts featuring the Music of Henry Mancini.

Chuck Bergeron put together a magnificent Orchestra for these concerts, both Sold Out!

4 Concerts with the Oregon Symphony featuring the Music of Nelson Riddle took place the end of January. Once again, I was joined by Rachael Price and Michael Civisca, two of the besy vocalists anywhere. The Orchestra was a joy and the audiences were my kind of people. Also enjoyed roaming around Portland. Great book stores and places to eat.

Liza was back on the road in Providence, RI. She was at the top of her game for this show and also shows in Lake Tahoe and Friant, California.

Went snowmobiling with some of our Liza group in Tahoe. 7 brave souls accompanied me to the top of the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe...9000 feet up and what a view!

Liz Callaway in North Carolina for Valentine's Day. What a treat it is to work with her! Hope to do more with her very soon.

Then on to Kentucky for a Tribute To John Williams! Challenging music...we had a full Orchestra, 100 person Choir and people dressed as the characters from Star Wars!!! A night I will never forget.

California with Liza...Chumash Casino in Santa Barbara and then the Frank Sinatra Golf Tournament in Palm Springs.

Liza and I went to hear and see Michael Feinstein and her sister Lorna Luft in Palm Springs the night before our show. Always fun to go to a Michael Feinstein concert.

Then I was in Norfolk, Va. with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. A Big Band Show featuring Lynn Roberts, my favorite Big Band Singer! Once again, the Orchestra was magnificent and I had a ball meeting members of the audience after the show.

In the studio this week with Liza M. as we put down the vocal tracks for the Kay Thompson Show.

Then off to Ft. Lauderdale and Jacksonville with Liza. Later this month, Ft. Myers and Melbourne, Fl.

And I'll be with the Naples Phil and the New Mexico Philharmonic on April 11/12 and April 19th respectively. MANCINI MAGIC is the program.

Come see me if you're in the area!

Liza's schedule: 

Thanks to everyone who visits this site. Hope to see and/or hear from you soon.

Till then,

Mike Berkowitz 

December 24th, 2007

Quick bit of news. I'll be at Arturo Sandoval's Jazz Club in Miami Beach on January 9th with the Gene Krupa Orchestra. Come see us if you're in Florida.

The Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club is located at the Deauville Beach Resort on Collins and 67th. We are surrounded by water, nestled between the famed Art Deco District and the shops at Bal Harbour. Gifted with

AAl e Atlantic Ocean to the East. Charmed and intrigued by the thrill of Miami to the West. The setting is perfct for hosting world class jazz artists and exquisite cuisine.

The Club is at the Deauville Resort is Miami Beach...

Another review of THINKING OF GENE...The new album...Makes a wonderful stocking stuffer!

Fritz the Nite Owl Jazz

Smooth Jazz WJZA 103.5FM/104.3FM Sunday 9pm to 12 Midnight

Visit www.wjza.com

Email Fritz at www.wjza.com/sections/contact/index.asp

or email info@shortnorth.com (Attn: Fritz)

Want to learn more about this guy? http://m.homestead.com/m.html

DECEMBER 2007

Give youself a jazzy little Christmas

Make your spirits bright. Good jazz sounds put your troubles out of sight. So give yourself, and the jazz fans on your Gift List, one of these albums and enjoy your holidays even more.

Michael Berkowitz and the Gene Krupa Orchestra: Thinking of Gene (Sea Breeze-SBJ-2143)

This CD will cause explosions of delight to any jazz friend-or-fiend to whom you give it. On the other hand, after hearing it, you may decide to keep it for yourself and send the friend a fruitcake. Whatever. Suffice it to say, whoever gets this outstanding set will love it and play it repeatedly for years.

The legendary Gene Krupa was the first drummer in jazz history to achieve national and international acclaim after his appearances as a main guest-attraction with Benny Goodman. His featured performance and drum solos on Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing" in 1941 are still quoted and used by many modern drummers in the 21st Century. As Buddy Rich once said, "If it wasn't for Krupa, there wouldn't be any of us today."

Krupa's first big band as a leader ran from 1938-1943. It was enormously popular due to such stars as Roy Eldridge and Anita O'Day. He also worked in gigs with Goodman, Dorsey and others before reforming and leading a new version from 1944-1951. His steady, relentless beat, ever-improving technique, showmanship, and dynamic personality contributed enormously to his sustained popularity over the years. So much for the brief bio and history of Krupa.

Drummer Michael Berkowitz was first inspired by Krupa at age 4; met him and became friends at 16. Who'da guessed that 35 years after Gene's passing in 1973, Berkowitz would now be the leader of the current Gene Krupa Orchestra?

Using modern arrangements, which are extremely faithful to the originals, Berkowitz and his 16-piece band easily evoke that great '40s swing-sound, yet burst with the fire that defines the best of big band jazz today.

Krupa's theme and intro, "Starburst," is, to me, the most exciting show opener-ever! It is as dynamic here as when originally recorded. The same can be said for the 12 other selections. This is timeless music that will keep the spirit and sound of Krupa alive for years to come - and introduce him to new fans who never had the thrill of seeing or hearing him perform in person.

Until 2008!!!

Have a Wonderful Holiday!!!

Warmly,

Mike Berkowitz 

December 19th, 2007

Howdy Folks,

Been on the road with a lot of different things so it's been a while since last update.

Let's see.

Was in Vancouver for 3 great shows with Liza Minnelli. While there, Bill Hayes, Rick Cutler and I visited with Ronn Dunnett at his studio/shop/garage/abode.

Picked up a beautiful snare drum, 5.5 x 14 Ti, that is the most sensitive drum I've ever played. No ghost notes allowed on this thing!

Bill Hayes, Rick Cutler and MB at the Dunnett shop.

Seen here with Mr. Cutler looking on, playing my new snare.

October found me conducting the Santa Rosa Symphony for the third year in a row. ( Next year I will be conducting all of their Pops Concerts!) Love the Orchestra, Love the People, Love the Executive Director!

We did a Tribute to Nelson Riddle (also doing this concert in January with the Oregon Symphony.

Below is me with our two World Class Singers, Rachael Price and Michael Civisca

This is one great concert!

Was in Warren, Ohio at the end of November for the Warren Concert Association.

Did a Tribute to the Music of Capitol Records with singers Lauel Masse' and Anthony Apicella. Sold out the Packard Music Hall, 2100 in attendance!!! Great night.

Then off to Palm Springs with Ms. Minnelli at the McCallum Theatre Benefit. Saw some friends like Dan Gloser from Paramount Pictures' music department and spent some quality time with Mitch Gershenfield, the Major domo of Booking at the Center.

4 days of R & R in the California sun and then the Krupa Band returned to Charley O's on December 4th. We were joined by singer Cassie Miller and the all star LA band tore the Krupa book up.

Always nice to be back in my musical home.

Just back from 8 days in Sweden with LM. She gave us a scare the last night, but she's fine and looking forward to 2008 and many concerts and galas and the filming of the Kay Thompson project.

That's all for now.

Have a Great Holiday and a Happy and Safe New Year.

Until 2008 (I'm in Greensboro on New Years Eve with Freddy Cole and the Carolina Pops)

Mike Berkowitz

(Also, look for me in Englewood, Fl. on January 8th. Englewood Methodist Church. 2 shows for the Englewood Arts Association. Tribute to the Movie Music of Henry Mancini on the first half and then Tribute to Nat King Cole on the second. 26 piece Orchestra, Joe Bourne on vocals and Cecil Welch on trumpet. )

If you want to hire me as a Conductor for Pops, please contact Bob Bauchens at ARTRA in Chicago.

800-354-1645

If you want to hire the Krupa Band...Craig Hankenson c/o Producers, Inc. www.producersinc.com

If you want the Tribute to Capitol Records Show...please call Terry Kippenberger at Mainstage Artists in St. Louis.  www.mainstage-mgmt.com

Anything else, just contact me directly.

800 -397-6293

646-387-4030 mobile

berkowitz66@msn.com

Here's the album!!! BUY IT!!!

Amazon.com, 

CDuniverse.com

www.seabreezejazz.com

Google it...Buy it...Listen to it...Love it!!!!

REVIEW FROM ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Drummer Michael Berkowitz brings back the sound of Gene Krupa and his orchestra on this intriguing set. Unlike too many of the swing big-band recordings of the past 40 years, this program does not have solos that are mere re-creations of the original recordings (although Steve Hawk does play tribute to Roy Eldridge on "Rockin' Chair"). The arrangements are mostly transcriptions from the recordings but occasionally they are opened up a little. One could certainly imagine this band stretching out much more on some of the songs. Quite interestingly, the orchestra sounds as much like Krupa's 1946-1947 slightly boppish big band than it does his famous 1941-1942 version with Anita O'Day and Roy Eldridge. Annette Sanders shows plenty of spirit in her five vocals (which include a rousing "Boogie Blues") and Mike Tomaro on tenor fills in for Charlie Ventura on "Stompin' at the Savoy." Otherwise the soloists are unfortunately not identified. Mike Berkowitz does a fine job of sounding like Krupa on the famous charts. This enthusiastic set is much more rewarding than most of the more predictable swing re-creation projects and is quite fun. 

-Scott Yanow

October 28th, 2007

Pic of Liza Minelli at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, Oct. 27th for the CHIMES Benefit Performance.

Yours truly on drums in the center/back.

October 26th, 2007

For those of you looking for the new album: THINKING OF GENE, it can be ordered from AMAZON, CD UNIVERSE and www.seabreezejazz.com or seemingly hundreds of other places on the Internet I've never heard of...

Here's a first review from our Wednesday night gig at Dillon's in NYC.

Mike Berkowitz and the Gene Krupa Orchestra at the Reprise Room at Dillons      

Written by Jay Jeffries   

Mike Berkowitz and the Gene Krupa Orchestra at the Reprise Room at Dillons

When was the last time you wanted to jump out of your seat and start to jitterbug? 

For me, it was last night at Dillon’s new Reprise Room where Michael Berkowitz brought his 15-piece Gene Krupa Orchestra. And I wasn’t the only one. As I looked around the refurbished, curry scented room, everyone’s feet seemed to be tapping, everyone’s shoulders seemed to be swaying to the sound of genuine swing music played by berkowitz.jpgseasoned pros. For a little over an hour, it felt as if we were all back on 52nd Street where jazz clubs once proliferated, when we were young and the world seemed a lot less troublesome.

To aid and abet on vocals, Mr. Berkowitz introduced Anthony Apicella and Leslie Anderson.  Mr. Apicella has the good looks of a young Sinatra and the sound of the era down pat, as he gracefully glides through standards like “I’ve Got The World On A String,” “All Or Nothing At All” and “Saturday Night Is The Loneliest Night of the Week.” And Ms. Anderson, never a slouch when it comes to swing, flawlessly belts her way through a boogie then slides into “Our Love Is Here To Stay” with honey-voiced ease. Bravo and brava!

Mike Berkowitz plays and conducts with confidence and makes you feel like you’re sitting in his living room, but his band could easily fill a stadium. I have no idea how long Dillon’s has booked them for, but I hope it’s going to be a long stay. 

My only regret is that there isn’t room for dancing in the aisles. From the looks of last night’s eager crowd, there seemed to be enough of us who could still do a nifty jitterbug or a lindy hop.

Thursday, 25 October 2007

Off to Baltimore to work with Liza Minnelli at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on Saturday Night...

Until the next time...

October 22nd, 2007

From David Miller's www.bigband-era.com website.

Gene Krupa Swings Again

I've taken several polls among big band fans over the years. Never has the Gene Krupa band ranked in the top ten in popularity. It's a mystery to me, since Krupa had a fantastic orchestra, kept it going well after the era was supposedly over, and made many outstanding recordings.

I'm happy to report that the Krupa band is back, big time. The new leader is Michael Berkowitz. He formed the band in 2004 and was featured in an interview on Program #1116 ("Gene Krupa Legacy"). Now the band has issued its first CD, entitled "Thinking of Gene."

The music on the CD is outstanding. Mr. Krupa would flash his trademark smile if he could only hear what Berkowitz and his sidemen have wrought. He would recognize all the tracks but one, the title track. Thinking of Gene, an instrumental, was composed by Steve Allee.

The CD runs the gamut of Krupa's most noted performances. There's a quartet rendition of the Gene Krupa Trio masterpiece, Stompin' at the Savoy, featuring Mike Tomaro recreating Charlie Ventura's tenor sax solo, Paul Henry on bass, Tony Nalker on piano and Berkowitz on drums. Rockin' Chair, originally a showpiece of Roy Eldridge, is most competently brought back to life by trumpeter Steve Hawk.

I recall asking Michael how he planned to handle the fact that Krupa's band featured a one-of-a-kind jazz singer, Anita O'Day. Well, he admirably met that challenge, by enlisting the talents of another one-of-a-kind vocalist, Annette Sanders. She has a style all her own but still manages to conjure up the marvelous sounds that O'Day provided on tunes such as Massachusetts, Boogie Blues and Gene's Boogie.

I loved the Annette Sanders reading of That's What You Think, one of my favorites.  I asked Berkowitz if he had that song in his band book when we talked in 2004. If I recall correctly, he said he was not familiar with it. Obviously he has done his homework since then, and I find it one of the highlights of the CD.

The Gene Krupa band will appear at Dillon's in New York City on Wednesday of this week. Future engagements are listed on his website, www.berkmusic.com.

-October 22, 2007

October 15th, 2007

Hello World,

It's me...back again for another Edition of NOTES!

First of all, October 21st, at the Luther Burbank Performing Arts Center in Santa Rosa, Ca.!!! A TRIBUTE TO NELSON RIDDLE with the Santa Rosa Symphony with guest vocalists, Rachael Price and Michael Civisca. The best of Riddle's arrangements for Sinatra, Nat Cole, Ella, Dean, Ronstadt and also his great Instrumentals...LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES, BROTHER JOHN, LISBON ANTIGUA, LET YOURSELF GO and many more.

October 6th I did the Opening Concert with the Carolina Pops in Greensboro with perhaps one of the best Pops Shows I've ever conducted: SPECTRUM. The best of Motown, great singing, great choreography, great rhythm section, great arrangements. I'm telling everyone I can about this group. The audience went wild!

October 13, we were in Long Island with Liza for a Benefit for CW Post at the Tilles Center. Once again, the audience was on their feet, applauding and screaming in the middle of songs. She's an amazing performer.

For you Angelenos, the Gene Krupa Band will be returning to Charley O's in the Valley on December 3rd. Make reservations NOW!

And last but not least...OCTOBER 24th, the Krupa Band will be at DILLON'S in NYC.

254 West 54th Street. 2 sets starting at 8 PM. New room, great Big Band...Come out and say Hi!

Until the next time...

Best to you all,

Mike Berkowitz