<![CDATA[MICHAEL BERLINER JAZZ

<![CDATA[MICHAEL BERLINER JAZZ - Blog]]>Sat, 12 Aug 2023 00:04:03 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Make life better: just add jazz!]]>Sun, 23 Jul 2023 13:38:22 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/make-life-better-just-add-jazzMake your next gathering a little more special by adding live jazz. I'm blessed to be playing music in various combinations - listen to some samples here and then get in touch! We'd love to play for YOU.

Jazz duos! Singing with Rick Keena, guitar.

Add Doug Largent on organ and it's a trio.

I was doing double duty as videographer and vocalist, so you get a break from looking at my mug. This was at the Veterans Administration hospital in Durham, NC, a highly rewarding experience to play for folks who could use a little extra brightness in their day.

And a jazz quartet...

Read some reviews.
To discuss your next get-together, just get in touch.

]]><![CDATA[Songs at the speed of a resting heart beat]]>Wed, 26 Oct 2022 22:05:11 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/songs-at-the-speed-of-a-resting-heart-beat

I hope this post finds you well. In these challenging times, I think a lot of us are looking for ways to calm. Music is one way for me. As the day winds down, I find there's nothing like listening to a melody at a slow, even tempo to help settle the mind and ease to sleep. Here are a few covers I've recorded recently. Enjoy.

]]><![CDATA[For Bridget]]>Sat, 12 Feb 2022 22:47:29 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/for-bridget

Bridget Berliner, 2007-2022. A damn good dog and companion.

There are so many songs to choose from. This one about the phases of a beautiful relationship sums it up for me.

]]><![CDATA[Tribute to Tony]]>Tue, 12 Oct 2021 18:02:05 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/tribute-to-tony

The one and only Tony Bennett turned 95 this summer of '21, when he gave a final live performance with Lady Gaga at Radio City Music Hall. Bennett has ended his live performing career because as you may know, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. And while the disease has stolen his memory, music still lives within him -- and pours out of him.

I've recorded covers of some of his iconic songs. Enjoy! And God bless you Tony!

]]><![CDATA[Don't care if it's Chinatown, or on Riverside]]>Mon, 16 Aug 2021 17:28:40 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/dont-care-if-its-chinatown-or-on-riverside

'nuff said.

]]><![CDATA[The Rose]]>Fri, 30 Jul 2021 20:37:10 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/the-rose

Words and music by Amanda McBroom. First recorded by Bette Midler for the movie of the same name.

Some say, "Love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed"
Some say, "Love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed"

Some say, "Love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need"
I say, "Love, it is a flower
And you its only seed"

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream, afraid of waking
That never takes the chance

It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong

Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose

]]><![CDATA[It's the Battle of the Ballads! Smooching Smackdown Part I]]>Sun, 11 Jul 2021 14:34:37 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/its-the-battle-of-the-ballads-smooching-smackdown-part-i

3 unabashedly romantic songs.

But only one gets to be named the crooniest, brain-melting-ist,
amor-inducing-est of them all.

It's up to you America! Vote early and often.

1. More (Than the Greatest Love)

By Nino Oliviero, Riz Ortolani, Marcello Ciorciolini, Norman Newell. Known in Italian as Ti Guardero Nel Cuore.

2. What are you doing the rest of your life?

Music by Michel Legrand, lyrics by Marilyn and Alan Bergman.

3. Make you feel my love

Written by Bob Dylan.

]]><![CDATA[Hava Nagila and the whole nine]]>Sun, 27 Jun 2021 14:33:30 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/hava-nagila-and-the-whole-nine

My friends Ashley Cantu and Ilon Weinstein, celebrating their engagement last December on the grounds of the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Ashley and Ilon got married! And the band is back!
First live gig for The Mood Enhancers in over 18 months.

Yesterday, June 26, 2021, with about 30 friends and family members in attendance, Ilon and Ashley got married at The Victorian, a lovely wedding venue in Youngsville NC. We were thrilled to be part of the celebration.

Got a wedding, bar- or bat-mitzvah, house party, pool party or other gathering coming up?
Get in touch with me to discuss it! We'd love to add our music to your special event.

]]><![CDATA[Hallelujah I Love Her So]]>Sat, 12 Jun 2021 17:34:40 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/hallelujah-i-love-her-so

Ray Charles wrote a hot little song called "Hallelujah I Love Her So," and performed it in his inimitable style. Then Harry Belafonte gave it a spare, bluesy, jazzy spin. It's just become one of my favorite recordings. Submitted for your enjoyment, my cover of Mr. Belafonte covering Mr. Charles.

]]><![CDATA[C'est si bon? Oh-la-la-la. C'est magnifique!]]>Sat, 05 Jun 2021 21:14:36 GMThttps://www.berlinerjazz.com/blog/cest-si-bon-oh-la-la-la-cest-magnifique

Summertime... and the living is.. fantastique!

We hop the pond to France for the sublime Cole Porter tune from back in the day, C'est Magnifique:

My cover of the song from Can-Can:

And my cover of a brand new C'est Magnifique from 2021 written by Melody Gardot and friends:

If this don't relax you, I don't know what will :)

And for the finale, a slide from the sublime to the.... Dean Martin!
My cover of his velvety hit, C'est Si Bon

Au revoir for now!

]]>

Jazz duos! ​Singing with Rick Keena, guitar.