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| TENOR SAXOPHONIST JOEY BERKLEY ROARS BACK FROM BATTLE WITH FOCAL DYSTONIA.. Toronto-born, New York-based tenor saxophonist Joey Berkley is proud to announce the release of A Suite Life, a new and triumphant extended suite, Berkley's first release since recovery from the movement disorder called focal dystonia. Even through the ongoing journey toward 100-percent capacity, Berkley proves a captivating presence on the horn, with full-bodied tone, dexterous facility and big ears, drawing on decades of experience among the top ranks. His career as a tenor player and recording artist evolved in stages, from in-demand sideman to the founder/leader and composer/arranger of the Joey Berkley Quartet (Made in NYC, More 'N Four), Funkasaurus Rex (Etched in Stone), Joey Berkley's Bandits (self-titled) and the Joey Berkley Band (Moving Forward). "Wired, " the leadoff single from A Suite Life, is accompanied by a self-produced video chronicling Berkley's entry as Patient #2 in an experimental NIH study that would end up giving him back his cherished career. Via insertion of an electrode into the brain and a battery connected under the collarbone, surgeons were able to restore Berkley's ability to play, although the muscle memory he'd acquired over 40 years as a working musician would have to be rebuilt. A Suite Life not only charts Berkley's jaw-dropping progress but pushes forward to new musical terrain. A Suite Life is a statement of gratitude and joy, but more than that it captures a spirit, the sound of deeply rewarding musical associations that Berkley has formed in the course of his work as a player and veteran music educator and bandleader. The personnel shifts among the three tracks, but the presence of bassist Josh Sherwood, a student at the Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music (where Berkley serves as director), is as a clear and compelling through-line. Other up-and-coming talent on A Suite Life includes organist/keyboardist Adam Pasqual and guest vocalist Kaia van der Mark, daughter of the album's producer and engineer Robert van der Mark. The suite begins with "Day After Tomorrow, " grooving and tight, with hip Rhodes chord patterns kicking off an extended journey with complex written lines, stark dynamic shifts and lyrical, Latin-tinged passages. Berkley's tenor is fiery and melodic, guiding the piece through its labyrinthine architecture with a soulful and surefooted attack. Sarah Cion is on keyboards, with the sought-after Paul Bollenback on guitar and Mike Campenni on drums. "Wired" is the rocker of the suite, with a strutting backbeat, ace rhythm and lead work from Biesterfeldt and still more bracing tenor work from Berkley across a furious seven minutes of intricate through-composed development. Pasqual is on keys along with one of Berkley's most trusted and enduring associates, Chris Parker, on drums. "All Will Be Well, " the epic closing track, ebbs and flows between ballad tempo, relaxed swing and swaying piano-based pop, with layered harmony vocals swirling in and out of the arrangement for haunting atmosphere. Cion, a surefooted harmonic guide on acoustic piano throughout the complex score, delivers a knotty and adventurous solo of her own eight minutes in. The lyric of "All Will Be Well" is derived from a poem written by Julian of Norwich, a 14th-century mystic who lived through the Black Death. Berkley first heard this poem from a hospital chaplain who visited the night before his brain surgery. "The poem became a mantra for me as the night wore on into the next day, " Berkley recalls, "and it remained important to me during the recovery period as well. To me it is a call to faith beyond our ability to understand." Here and throughout A Suite Life, Berkley harnesses his exceptional melodic gift and boldly reclaims his tenor voice, finding closure as he puts his long and established career back on track. "As a jazz musician I'm coming from Miles and Coltrane and Rollins, that era, " he says, "and of course Michael Brecker is a huge influence as he was for everybody. I also enjoy a lot of R&B and I'm into combining different styles. I'm not hung up on labels, I just make music." Berkley is also inspired to pay it forward, seeking ways to help other musicians dealing with effects of dystonia and other neurological ailments. In fact, patient #3 and #4 in the NIH study had direct communication with Berkley prior to their decision to seek out the same treatment opportunity. Berkley's generosity, indefatigable spirit, and above all monster tenor chops all come into focus on A Suite Life, with the promise of still more extraordinary music to come. About Joey Berkley: Born in Toronto Canada, Joey Berkley moved to NYC in 1979 after graduating w/honors from the Music Program at Humber College. A jazz musician firmly rooted in the tradition of Coltrane, Miles, and Monk, Joey Berkley incorporated these influences to develop his own sound. Berkley's career as a tenor saxophonist and recording artist has evolved through a variety of stages: from in-demand sideman to the founder/leader and composer/arranger of various bands including: The Joey Berkley Quartet ("Made in NYC", "More 'N Four"), Funkasaurus Rex ("Etched in Stone"), Joey Berkley's Bandits (self-titled), The Joey Berkley Band ("Moving Forward"). And more recently the single "Wired" In 2015 Mr. Berkley became the director of The Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music. An educator with over 35 years' experience, he developed a curriculum designed to challenge students with a commitment to excellence, focusing on the fundamentals of jazz and a commitment to artistic expression regardless of the playing level. Prior to his role as director of the Center, he served over 15 my years at Fox Lane MS/HS, Bedford, NY. As their Woodwind Specialist, he also directed both the Middle School and High School Jazz Ensembles. Notably in 2016 under his direction, the HS jazz quartet finished 2nd at the Berklee HS Jazz Competition. He is regularly brought in to consult and work with various area high school and university jazz ensembles, including the Westchester All-County Jazz organization and St. John's University jazz band. 2019 was the beginning of a crisis. Another period of Joey's life filled with turmoil. It became a turning point in Mr Berkley's life when he was forced to end a 40+ year career as a saxophonist due to a neurological movement disorder called Focal Dystonia in his left hand. Despite an immense sense of loss and feeling devastated, Joey chose to fight back by seeking a solution. Unwilling to accept his fate, he found one at NIH in Bethesda MD! Joey was accepted into their study program, an experimental treatment for Dystonia. On Friday March 12, 2021 Joey became Patient #2 and underwent brain surgery to implant an electrode into his brain and connecting it to a battery near his collar-bone. Miraculously, this risky choice controlled the symptoms of Dystonia, allowing him to play again. During this entire time it is important to note that Joey was very public about his situation after keeping it hidden for many years until the symptoms became progressively worse. The reason being twofold: wanting the respect of his peers on the NY music-scene, which has always been a major priority for Joey. Plus, having the opportunity to maybe help another musician (worldwide) with a similar fate. As a matter of fact, Patient #3 and #4 had direct communication with Joey prior to their decision to seek out this treatment opportunity. Today Mr Berkley is gradually taking steps to reclaim his life as a jazz musician by recording and performing in clubs. He is set to release "A Suite Life"which he wrote to express his experiences throughout this entire nightmare and therefore finding closure as he moves forward and continues to grow as a musician. write your comments about the article :: © 2024 Jazz News :: home page |