Jeff Berlin

Last updated
Jeff Berlin
Jeff Berlin 2007 in Austin TX.jpg
Berlin performing in 2007
Background information
Birth nameJeffrey Arthur Berlin
Born (1953-01-17) January 17, 1953 (age 72)
Queens, New York, U.S.
Genres Jazz rock
progressive rock
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Bass, vocals
Years active1970 — Present
Labels Denon, Rock Empire, Random Act

Jeffrey Arthur Berlin (born January 17, 1953) is an American jazz rock bassist and composer. He first came to prominence in the 1970s as a member of the band Bruford, led by drummer Bill Bruford.

Contents

Musical career

Berlin was born on January 17, 1953, in Queens, New York. [1] [2] He studied violin from 5 until 15 years of age, when he was inspired to play bass guitar after seeing the Beatles. [3] He attended Berklee College of Music to study bass. [4]

After session work with Patrick Moraz, David Liebman and Patti Austin, he gained widespread international attention in 1977 when British musician Bill Bruford handpicked him for his debut album Feels Good to Me . He played in Bruford's namesake band until 1980. His Bruford bandmate Allan Holdsworth employed Berlin for his 1983 Warner Brothers album Road Games .

Berlin continued to record and tour throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

Style and appreciation

In a review for Berlin's album Low Standards, Bass Musician Magazine said: "Anytime I mention [Jeff Berlin], there seems to be a ripple in the force and the wave of Berlin supporters or antagonists come to the surface and spout-off their opinions. No matter where you stand regarding Jeff's musical philosophy, no one can reasonably deny the simple fact that Jeff seriously knows his craft and is one of the major players of our time." [5]

Berlin's melodic, lead-bass playing style was heavily influenced by that of Jaco Pastorius; despite this, Berlin has repeatedly stated his distaste for Jaco imitators. [6]

Personal life

On August 30, 2013, Berlin married Gabriela Sinagra, a jazz singer and vocal coach from Rosario, Argentina.

Discography

Solo

As sideman

References

  1. Gilbert, Mark (2002). Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 201. ISBN   1-56159-284-6.
  2. Jisi, C. Brave New Bass. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 97. ISBN   9781617745065 . Retrieved 2015-06-22.
  3. Mulhern, Tom (1993). Bass Heroes: Styles, Stories & Secrets of 30 Great Bass Players : from the Pages of Guitar Player Magazine. Backbeat Books. p. 69. ISBN   978-0-87930-274-0 . Retrieved 2013-07-29.
  4. Ake, David Andrew (2010). Jazz Matters: Sound, Place, and Time Since Bebop. University of California Press. p. 144. ISBN   978-0-520-26688-9 . Retrieved 2013-07-29.
  5. "Low Standards: Jeff Berlin". Bass Musician Magazine.
  6. "Jeff Berlin: Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger!". Bass Inside. September 2002. Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
  7. Jeff Berlin & Vox Humana (4) - Champion (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs
  8. Jeff Berlin - Pump It! at Discogs
  9. Jeff Berlin - Taking Notes (CD, Album) at Discogs
  10. Jeff Berlin - Crossroads (CD) at Discogs
  11. Star Licks Master Sessions: Jeff Berlin | MTV Movies [ dead link ]
  12. In Harmony's Way - Jeff Berlin | AllMusic
  13. Jeff Berlin - Lumpy Jazz (CD, Album) at Discogs
  14. Aneurythms - Jeff Berlin | AllMusic
  15. Amazon.com: Mel Bay Jeff Berlin-Bass Logic from the Players School of Music
  16. High Standards - Jeff Berlin | AllMusic
  17. Low Standards - Jeff Berlin | AllMusic
  18. Parker, Matt (August 5, 2022). "Jeff Berlin releases Jack Bruce tribute album featuring guitar solos from Alex Lifeson, Bumblefoot and Eric Johnson". Guitar World . Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  19. DeGagne, Mike. Jeff Berlin at AllMusic
  20. Capricorn Princess - Esther Phillips | AllMusic
  21. End of a Rainbow - Patti Austin | AllMusic
  22. David Matthews With Whirlwind - Shoogie Wanna Boogie (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs
  23. Eye of the Beholder - Ray Barretto | AllMusic
  24. David Liebman - Light'n Up, Please! (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs
  25. Liebman, Dave (2012). What It Is:The Life of a Jazz Artist. Scarecrow Press. p. 209. ISBN   9780810882546.
  26. Satanic - Ernie Krivda | AllMusic
  27. Kelma, John (April 24, 2005). "Bill Bruford: Feels Good to Me and One of a Kind". All About Jazz . Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  28. Montreux Concert - Don Pullen | AllMusic
  29. Just as I Thought - David Sancious | AllMusic
  30. Bruford - One Of A Kind (CD, Album) at Discogs
  31. 1 2 Kelman, John (October 14, 2005). "Bill Bruford: Feels Good to Me and One of a Kind". All About Jazz . Retrieved August 11, 2013.