Kenny Berger is a highly regarded, long standing presence on the New York jazz scene in a variety of capacities.

Well known as one of New York’s top baritone saxophonists, bass clarinetists, and composer-arrangers, he has a wealth of experience in both small and large ensembles in a variety of jazz styles. He has also amassed many years of experience as a teacher of arranging, composition, ensembles, saxophone and jazz history at the college and university levels. As a player he has appeared on over two hundred recordings in many diverse styles and settings. He is also a jazz historian and journalist with a unique insider’s perspective. 

 

Performing credits 

BIG BANDS

Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra

Duke Pearson Big Band

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra 

Duke Ellington Orchestra

National Jazz Ensemble

Gil Evans Orchestra 

Dizzy Gillespie Big Band 

Dave Brubeck Big Band 

Manny Albam Big Band

John Williams Tanglewood Jazz Ensemble, ,

Westchester Jazz Orchestra

Bill Holman Big Band 

David Matthews Big Band

Buck Clayton Big Swing Band

J.C. Sanford Orchestra 

 

 

SMALL AND MEDUIM SIZED GROUPS

John McNeil- Kenny Berger Quintet

Kenny Berger's Cenozoic Trio

Lee Konitz Nonet

Julius Hemphill Sextet

Phil Woods Little Big Band

Bill Kirchner Nonet

Rod Levitt Octet

Chuck Zeuren Quartet

Bobby Previte Septet

Billy Mintz Two Bass Band

New Jazz Composers Octet

John Pizzarelli Swing Seven

Ned Rothenberg Power Lines Ensemble

 

Arranging Credits

Ensembles

National Jazz Ensemble

Lee Konitz Nonet

Dizzy Gillespie United Nations Band  

Westchester Jazz Orchestra , 

DSM Big Band 

The Duke's Men

Soloists

Michael Brecker

Kenny Burrell

Art Farmer

Tommy Flanagan

Lee Konitz

Pat Martino 

Gerry Mulligan

Phil Woods

 

Vocalists

Sheila Jordan

Carrie Smith

Nora York

Obba Babatunde

 Commissions

Lee Konitz- Frankfurt Radio Jazz Orchestra

National Jazz  Ensemble

Westchester Jazz Orchestra

 Phil Woods-Delaware Water Gap Festival of The Arts

John Cipolla (international clarinet recitalist)

International Clarinet Quartet.

Education

M.A. in Jazz History and Research, Rutgers University-2000

Bachelor of Professional Studies, Empire State College-1993

Founding member of BMI Jazz Composers Workshop-1989-91

Majored in bassoon performance, Mannes College of Music1965-68

Private study 

Saxophone, flute ,clarinet with Danny Bank.

Flute with Andrew Lolya, Harvey Estrin.

Bassoon with Steven Maxim, William Polisi, Sanford Sharoff.

Composition with Morgan Powell, Edward Green, Manny Albam, Bob Brookmeyer.

Teaching Experience

 2016- Substitute instructor, BMI Jazz Composers Workshop.

 2013- Substitute instructor of Jazz History and Advanced Jazz Composition, The New School.

 2011-12-Substitute instructor of Jazz History, The Juilliard School and SUNY Purchase.

 2008Adjunct instructor of Jazz history, New Jersey City University

 2001-2007:  Director of Jazz and Woodwind studies, Newark Academy, Livingston NJ

1999-2001: Adjunct professor of advanced jazz composition and graduate level jazz history, New Jersey City University

2000: Adjunct instructor of Jazz history, Ramapo College, Mawah NJ.

1999-2000: Adjunct instructor of Jazz history, Rutgers University, Newark NJ

1996-98: Adjunct  professor of Jazz arranging, composition, saxophone and ensembles, New Jersey City University (then known as Jersey City State College).

1993-1994: Adjunct professor of jazz arranging and director of Repertory Ensemble, William Paterson College, Wayne NJ

1991: Substitute instructor of basic jazz arranging, Manhattan School of Music.

 

 

 

 

Publications

Columbo On The Corner-3 Movements for Saxophone Quartet In Memory of John Carisi-Boyga Music-2009*

Ten Contemporary Etudes for Bass Clarinet with Extended Range-Boyga Music 2016*

Amble-Contemporary Pastorale for 2 Bassoons-Boyga Music 2017*

Biographical essay on Coleman Hawkins in The Oxford Companion to Jazz, Oxford University Press.

Co-author solo transcription book The Buddy DeFranco Collection- Hal Leonard Publishing

Essays on Swing and Free Jazz in Microsoft Encarta AfricanaCD-ROM Encyclopedia, 2000 ed.

 

Liner notes- 1999 Re-issue of “Coltrane’s Sound” John Coltrane, Rhino-Atlantic records.

Liner notes-2000 Re-issue of “Woody Herman and The Herd at Carnegie Hall-1946,Verve-Polygram.

Accompanying booklet for 6-CD box set, “Oliver Nelson: The Verve, Argo, Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions”. Mosaic Records

 

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