Jewish Saxophonist Genius like Michael Brecker or David Liebman.Bob was a complex guy. His father was Jewish and his mother Italian. He grew up in downtown Bensonhurst. He loved his huge drift vessel, a good Cuban cigar smuggled from a friend of his, a little 'yac', and a lot of Sinatra. In the middle of his life he met Arja, and he calmed down, had two wonderful children and became a devoted father and husband. He went to live in East Hampton, where he began fishing seriously between tours. He also loved the saxophone and jazz music, on which he concentrated his formidable intellect. The combination of his intellect, working through the prism of his formative years and his lifestyle and daily environment, brought down to us a passionate, yet merciless conception. Playing he literally put your back to the wall, and then tore you and the wall together. You had to fight and respond with all your might when you were on stage with Berg ... he never said it specifically ... he demanded it through his instrument. That's what it's been like to play with Bob Berg all these years ... he made me play better, he imbued me with his style ... he marked my soul forever. This is what I will miss most about Bob ... the incredible merciless and fearless, yet passionate, sound of his sax. Yet I am convinced that I will feel him again, day after day, year after year, every time I think about him ... I will feel him .. I know I will feel him ". (Randy Brecker, trumpet player)
Randy wanted to escape from Michael's clutches. Co-stars are drawn to strong players. The same is true for high-level performers. I have been a fan of Michael for over 40 years, and even though I imitated his playing technique as a hobby, I was never even close. But I was a good listener. Around the time I gave up, Bob Berg and Bill Evans appeared on the saxophone scene. I too was freed from Michael's spell.
"Bob era un ragazzo complesso. Suo padre era ebreo e sua madre italiana. E' cresciuto nel centro di Bensonhurst. Amava il suo natante dall'enorme deriva, un buon sigaro cubano contrabbandato di sfroso da qualche suo amico, un pò di 'yac', e un sacco di Sinatra. Verso la metà della sua vita incontrò Arja, e si tranquillizzò, ebbe due bambini meravigliosi e divenne un padre ed un marito devoto. Andò a vivere a East Hampton, dove iniziò a pescare seriamente tra una tournée e l'altra. Amava anche il sassofono e la musica jazz, sulla quale concentrò il suo formidabile intelletto. La combinazione del suo intelletto, operante attraverso il prisma dei suoi anni formativi e il suo stile di vita ed ambiente quotidiano, portarono fino a noi una concezione appassionata, eppure senza pietà. Suonando ti metteva letteralmente con le spalle al muro, per poi stracciare te ed il muro assieme. Dovevi lottare e rispondere con tutte le tue forze quando eri sul palco con Berg... non l'ha mai detto espressamente... lo esigeva per mezzo del suo strumento. Ecco com'è stato suonare con Bob Berg per tutti questi anni... lui mi ha fatto suonare meglio, mi ha imbevuto del suo stile... ha segnato la mia anima per sempre. Questo è ciò che di Bob mi mancherà maggiormente... l'incredibile suono spietato e intrepido, seppur appassionato, del suo sax. Eppure sono convinto che lo sentirò ancora, giorno dopo giorno, anno dopo anno, ogni volta che penserò a lui... lo sentirò.. so che lo sentirò". (Randy Brecker, trombettista)
I met Bob on several occasions when he was performing in Philadelphia-he was meticulous in his music as he was in his personal appearance and his car, a rare Cadillac Fleetwood coupe! It was a great tragedy that he passed at such an early age, with so much more to offer. He was kind, humble and a talented individual! Fortunately, we have these videos and his recordings to continue to inspire us!
1994 Bob Berg - Tenor Saxophone Niels Lan Doky - Piano Alvin Queen - Drums Pierre Boussaguet - Bass 1. Summer Nights [17:17] 2. Forever Frank [13:28] 3. When I Fall in Love [11:45] 4. No Moe [19:54] 5. Straight No Chaser [13:54]
one of the most talented and accomplished saxophone players of all times. To my humble opinion and with all due respect to the great ones!!! Thank thomas for posting it!!! It is always a pleasure to see and hear Bor Berg playing. RIP BB!!!
The wonderful late, great Bob Berg. He was wasted in Miles' band (much as I loved Miles) playing junk but here he really shows what a great sax player he was. A terrific upload-thank you!
@@santomusic3981 I agree. That was a stupid statement. Miles is pretty expansive and challenged the best any musician can do. It was probably one of the hardest things Berg had to do.
Bob Berg's closing 4+ minute solo on the first cut of the tape is as good as it gets - those who don't think that John Coltrane (my musical hero since I first heard his solo in 1959 on "All Blues" from KIND OF BLUE and I had the pleasure of seeing twice in L.A. in the early 60's) influence on Tenor Sax is not felt in more recent times don't know their jazz - Berg's solo, done 27 years after Coltrane's death, is something Coltrane would have been proud of - what a crime both of them died in the prime of their playing years - (drummer Alvin Queen ties with Joe Chambers as the most under-rated drummers in jazz history) - "KEEP ENJOYING THE SOUNDS OF JAZZ"
Fantástico concierto, no sólo por la calidad de los intérpretes, sino también por la energía del grupo. El jazz tiene esa magia, el día más insospechado los participantes se comunican telepáticamente y crean una música espectacular. Berg concilia una técnica y una creatividad impresionantes, Doky está soberbio, y los otros dos - Boussaguet y Queen, que han tocado con casi todos - completan una sección rítmica perfecta. Jazz lives!!
A great upload. I like Bob's playing a lot so this wonderful concert is most appreciated. A few years before his untimely death I saw Bob and his quartet in England; a most memorable night experiencing his expressive playing and tone just a few feet from the stage. RIP Bob.
Miles was still searching even though he couldn't play like he maybe wanted to, as someone said he wasted his time,, thoughtfully said thou,,,,, let's see what we do at that age after health problems,,, food for thought,, but mr. Berg and mr. Davis r jewels,,,
I only saw Bob Berg once at the Nice jazz festival playing in a group called the Jazz Masters, which comprised Bob Berg tenor sax, Bill Hardman trumpet, Cedar Walton, piano, Buster Williams bass, and Louis Hayes drums. His featured tune was "I didn't know what time it was" and they also did a great version of Cedar's "Bolivia" I don't think that band every recorded.
i saw bob berg at the same place , at the AMR geneva , jazz club , in 1989 , with ben perowski , jim beard and the bassist jeff andrews, oh man it was great ! less jazz but berg was a real master ! and the energy ....
Yes, and he seems quite pleased with his quote of Milton Nascimento/Wayne Shorter "Ponta de Areia" around 2:23 (looks around to see if the others got it, then repeats it.) Gorgeous, heartfelt saxophone playing throughout.
