Jeff Berlin
Jeffrey Arthur Berlin (born January 17, 1953) is an American jazz fusion bassist. He came to prominence in the 1970s as a member of the band Bruford led by drummer Bill Bruford.
Jeff Berlin | |
---|---|
Berlin performing in 2007 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Jeffrey Arthur Berlin |
Born | Queens, New York, U.S. | January 17, 1953
Genres | Jazz fusion, progressive rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Bass guitar, vocals |
Years active | 1970–present |
Labels | Denon, Rock Empire, Random Act |
Associated acts | Bruford |
Musical career
Berlin was born in Queens, New York, on January 17, 1953.[1][2] He studied violin for ten years until he was 14, when he was inspired to play bass after seeing the Beatles.[3] He then attended Berklee College of Music to study bass.[4]
He first came to international attention in 1977 when he was handpicked by British musician Bill Bruford for his debut album Feels Good to Me. A bandmate here was guitarist Allan Holdsworth who employed Berlin for his 1983 Warner Brothers album: Road Games.
On August 30, 2013, Berlin married Gabriela Sinagra, a jazz singer and vocal coach from Rosario, Argentina.
Style and appreciation
In a review for his 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 playing style has been compared to that of Jaco Pastorius; however, Berlin has repeatedly stated his distaste for Jaco imitators.[6]
Discography
References
- Gilbert, Mark (2002). Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 201. ISBN 1-56159-284-6.
- Jisi, C. Brave New Bass. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 97. ISBN 9781617745065. Retrieved 2015-06-22.
- 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.
- 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.
- "Low Standards: Jeff Berlin". Bass Musician Magazine.
- "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.