contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| Bass Legend Jeff Berlin's New CD The recent buzz surrounding bass legend Jeff Berlin's latest CD release High Standards has been nothing less-than spectacular. The new CD, featuring Danny Gottlieb and Richard Drexler, has been receiving rave reviews worldwide by fans and music press alike, much to the elation of Jeff Berlin the bass maestro himself. 'It gets a bit depressing when the only person in the world telling people how special I am as a bass player is my mother, ' Jeff Berlin jokes. 'These reviews are testimony that either my mother called these guys and threatened them if they didn't say something nice about her son. Or, perhaps, people are beginning to notice my contributions to music and the electric bass that I have been making for 30 years. I am honored!' Here's what the press have been saying about Jeff Berlin's High Standards: 'High Standards adds up to one of the most engaging examples of mainstream, modern jazz in recent memory.' - Robert Silverstein, Music Web Express 3000 'This platter literally sizzles with their creative interplay and the improvisation is second to none. First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin! One of the all time monsters of the electric bass, ever!' - Emrys Baird, Blues And Soul 'Berlin's fingerboard work remains amazingly fluid and fast, his ideas ceaselessly bubbling up. But the creativity of his soloing and the undeniably grooving swing of his walking lines ought to once and for all put to rest any lingering biases about the viability of the electric bass as a lead instrument in straight ahead jazz.' Phillip Booth - Jazz Times 'Many bassists think like bassists when they solo; Berlin thinks music and plays flowing legato lines and builds solos that excite and build through their own musical logic. He is able to speak the language of his influences, Sonny Rollins, Dave Liebman, Keith Jarrett, Gary Burton, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Stitt and Wayne Shorter.' Phil Wain - No Treble 'The bass savant reads the textbook of jazz in his own style and in an impressive company. The four-string virtuoso swings through the time-tested classics, so the record's title is a testament to both the musicianship and the content.' Dmitry Epstein, Let It Rock 'Geddy Lee has called Jeff Berlin 'the best bassist on the planet.' Carlos Santana has echoed those sentiments calling him 'the best bassist in the world.' Jaco Pastorius regarded Berlin as a better soloist than himself. Believe me when I tell you this high praise is warranted as demonstrated by his new CD High Standards.' Jon Neudorf - Sea of Tranquility 'Few bassists have the ability to act as a lead voice, yet this album is not a forum for Berlin to simply flaunt his monstrous technique. Consequently, it's a seamless blend of fire and ice complemented by acutely-placed dynamics and nuance.' Glenn Astarita - E Jazz News In support of his new CD, Jeff Berlin has been doing a number of high profile interviews. Most recently he spoke candidly to Al Carlos of the international website Herald de Paris. For the complete interview go to www.heralddeparis.com/the-baddest-bass-player-in-the-world-jeff-berlin/101034 Jeff Berlin's innovative bass playing has influenced a generation of bass players worldwide. He was voted Number One Jazz Bassist by the readers of Guitar Player Magazine. His numerous recording credits include albums with Bill Bruford, AWBH, Allan Holdsworth, Kazumi Watanabe and George Benson, to name a few. The founder of The Players School of Music in Clearwater, Florida, Jeff has also been at the forefront of music education for almost 30 years. Much to the anticipation of his South American fans, Jeff Berlin will be touring South America in the fall of 2010. 'The greatest exports from the continent of South America is the incredible food, and the incredibly beautiful actress Catherine Fulop. For both reasons, I cannot wait to go to each wonderful country to play, eat and write fan letters to Catherine.' Jeff will be performing in the following countries: Mexico, Puerto Rico, Republic of Dominica, Columbia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Panama. http://www.fanpix.net/gallery/catherine-fulop-pictures.htm Finally Jeff Berlin's Players School of Music will host its One Week Intensive Program September 13-17. The event is widely regarded as one of the finest 5 days of music education available. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |