The Bernie Williams Collective, March 6, 2020

ellington jazz series Thomas C. Duffy, artistic director

Bernie Williams Collective Bernie Williams, guitar Don Harris, trumpet/music director Joel Rosenblatt, drums Dave Anderson, bass Erik Piza, percussion Chris Clark, piano/keyboard

Friday, March 6, 2020 | 7:30 pm Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall

Robert Blocker, Dean

Due to contractual restrictions, Mr. Williams is unable to sign any baseball memorabilia of any kind. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Artist Profiles Bernie Williams, guitar Growing up in Puerto Rico, Bernie Williams discovered his love for baseball and music at roughly the same time, when at the age of eight he fell in love with the sounds of a flamenco guitar his merchant-marine father brought home from Spain, and also felt the same exhilaration when he first picked up a baseball bat. The young student-athlete quickly excelled in both pursuits, going on to attend the special performance arts school Escuela Libre de Musica at the age of thirteen and becoming one of the most noted young athletes on the island, both as a track and field standout posting record times in the 400 meters, as well as one of Puerto Rico’s most sought after young baseball prospects. Bernie was signed by the New York Yankees after high school in 1987. After working his way through the farm system, the switch-hitting Williams made his Major League debut with the Yankees in May 1991.

In his 16-year career patrolling centerfield for the New York Yankees, Bernie Williams was a four-time World Series Champion and a five-time All Star. Williams has more post-season RBIs to his credit than any other player in Major League history and his resume also boasts four Gold Glove awards, six American League pennants, the 1996 ALCS MVP award, and the 1998 American League batting title. Bernie is also among the Yankees’ all-time leaders in every major batting category, with his performance statistics often standing alongside such legends as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio.

On May 24, 2015, the Yankees retired Bernie’s uniform number 51 and a plaque

was dedicated and placed in Monument Park in Yankee Stadium, cementing his legacy as an all-time Yankee great.

Throughout Williams’ years with the Yankees, his passion for music never waned, and the sound of his guitar would often be heard emanating from the clubhouse or during team flights. Whether acoustic or electric, a guitar was a constant presence in the star’s locker or equipment bag, and it was no surprise when he demonstrated how serious his musical pursuit was with the release of his first album, The Journey Within in 2003. The record featured fusions of jazz, rock, and the tropical rhythms of Williams’ Latin heritage, and was met with both strong critical praise and instant chart success, reaching #3 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart.

Bernie Williams raised his musical game even further with the release of his second album, Moving Forward. Featuring guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Secada, Dave Koz, and an all-star cast of renowned studio musicians, Moving Forward debuted as Billboard’s #2 Contemporary Jazz album in the country, and continued to hold that chart position for five straight weeks, and spawned two consecutive Billboard #1 singles: “Go For It” and “Ritmo de Otono.” The album was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Album in 2009.

In addition to performing at concert venues, music festivals, and special events since the release of Moving Forward, Bernie spent considerable time authoring his first book, Rhythms of the Game: The Link Between Music and Athletic Performance, published

Artist Profiles, cont.

by Hal Leonard Books and released in July 2011. The book examines the symbiotic relationship between musical artistry and athletic performance through the eyes of a man who has mastered both.

Bernie is an active crusader for arts and music education in the lives of all students, and is a national spokesman for the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation’s SupportMusic Coalition, which unites non-profit organizations, schools, and businesses working to assure that music education is supported in communities everywhere, and that all children have the opportunity to learn and grow with music.

He has met with leaders of Congress on Capitol Hill for years lobbying to ensure that arts and music become part of core education in our schools across the United States.

In 2015, he was appointed a Turnaround Arts artist by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in partnership with the White House, and U.S. Department of Education. Turnaround Arts brings arts education programs and supplies to a group of the lowest-performing elementary and middle schools in the country. These resources help schools improve attendance, parent engagement, student motivation, and academic achievement.

On May 13, 2016, Williams graduated from Manhattan School of Music, a prestigious music conservatory in New York, NY, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance.

In 2017, Bernie became the national spokesperson for Breathless, an educational awareness campaign for Ideopathic Pulmonary

Fibrosis (IPF), a mysterious lung disease that took the life of Bernie’s father, Bernabe Sr., and still has no cure. He has been touring the country visiting many cities, Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball ballparks, and speaking at major medical conferences to spread the word about the disease that affects up to 132,000 people and their families per year.

On June 13, 2019, Bernie became “Dr. Williams,” as he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam and the world-renowned Crane School of Music, considered the “birthplace of music education”. Williams was recognized for his record-setting achievements as a New York Yankee, as well as his artistic accomplishments as a musician and dedication to philanthropy.

Don Harris, trumpet/music director Upon receiving his Bachelor of Music degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Don Harris immediately left to go on the road with James Taylor. That was followed by nine years as a studio musician in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he recorded hundreds of records for such visionary artists as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Djavan, Roberto Carlos, and Elis Regina.

After almost two years in Rome, Italy, he returned home to New York where he landed the job as lead trumpet player and featured soloist with legendary soul band Tower of Power. His experience with one of the world’s preeminent horn sections

led him to the position of Musical Director for The Supremes featuring Mary Wilson, and for the next six years he traveled the world with Miss Wilson as she was named an Ambassador of Rhythm and Blues for the U.S. Department of State. This was followed by another few years of once again touring the world with the great superproducer Nile Rodgers and Chic.

Since then Don has recorded with Cyndi Lauper, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Johnny Winter (with whom he won a Grammy Award), Bernie Williams (nominated for a Latin Grammy), Jeff Golub, John Tropea, Spyro Gyra (nominated for multiple Grammys), and has performed live at Madison Square Garden with Bruce Springsteen, at the Beacon Theater with The Allman Brothers Band, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with Keith Urban as well as Sheryl Crow, and was one of the staff arrangers for American Idol seasons 10 & 11

Joel Rosenblatt, drums Joel Rosenblatt is a world-renowned drummer and producer. He has performed and recorded with such greats as: Spyro Gyra, Special EFX, Lee Ritenour, Freddy Jackson, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Eileen Ivers, Michel Camilo, Chick Corea, Steps Ahead, Paquito D’Rivera, Manhattan Transfer, Randy Brecker, Ken Navarro, Bill Evans, and many more. Having toured the world many times over, Joel brings an international musical awareness to his music.

Currently the owner and main engineer at world-class CliffSound Productions, Joel is also actively involved in producing and cultivating new artists.

Dave Anderson, bass Dave Anderson is a bass player with over thirty years of experience performing and recording in a wide range of genres. His credits span a range of world class artists in jazz, R&B, pop, folk rock, fusion, world music, and more. His recent work includes associations with Bill Evans, Nelson Rangell, Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Bob Baldwin, Marion Meadows, Marc Antoine, Chieli Minucci & Special EFX, and Smokey Robinson. Past credits include Art Garfunkel, Blood Sweat & Tears, Michael McDonald, Donna Summer, James Ingram, and numerous others.

Erik Piza, percussion Erik Piza is one of the most sought-out Latin percussionists in New York City because of his versatility and ability to adapt to all genres of music. It all started as a kid, growing up in New Jersey. Erik’s passion for music was influenced by his father, who bought Erik a set of bongos at the age of 4. His first act was playing at his church and for his friends. Later in his teens, Erik joined a band of local young guys that played Salsa music throughout the tri-state area, which caught the eye of professional musicians. Soon he began performing with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including traveling the world for six years playing for Jose Alberto “El Canario”. After that he had the opportunity to perform with the great Yankee legend Bernie Williams in his AllStar Band. He has been performing regularly with Bernie Williams for over 10 years.

Erik has also dedicated his life to

Artist Profiles, cont. professional audio recording engineering for top Latin artists around the world, which has earned him a Grammy Award.

Chris Clark, piano/keyboard Christopher J. Clark is an accomplished and versatile pianist and keyboard player.

He regularly plays with Yankee great Bernie Williams’ All-Star Band and the Bernie Williams Collective. He is regularly on the road with jazz fusion greats Brand X in addition to virtuoso drummer Virgil Donati. He has recorded albums with both and is in demand as a session player across genres. Recently he collaborated on stage with multi-instrumentalist Rachel Flowers.

Chris’ work ranges from jazz to musical theatre to classical, cabaret, progressive and classic rock, and Motown. If you love Broadway, you have heard Chris Clark — his piano and keyboards have infused musical theatre’s most popular shows since he began his career on Miss Saigon. Currently in the pit on Wicked when he isn’t on the road or in the studio, he has also recently played in Mamma Mia! and Motown.

Steve Fortunato, exclusive management Steven M. Fortunato is the Founder and CEO of Air Fortch 1, an exclusive boutique sports and entertainment services company specializing in athlete and celebrity management; television, film production and literary development and production, corporate consulting, marketing and strategic planning; and media training and image consulting.

He is also a multi-Emmy Award-winning television producer, whose credits include the legendary series This Week in Baseball, and a variety of network specials for ESPN, Fox, TLC, MTV, and others.

Fortunato served nine years as an officer in the United States Air Force, as a producerdirector of documentaries, high-end informational and training programs, and real-world contingency operations.

Fortunato is a decorated combat veteran who commanded joint service Combat Camera teams in the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and during the heaviest combat operations in Somalia.

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7:30 pm | Woolsey Hall Tickets from $12, Yale Faculty/ Staff $8, Students free* $3 surcharge at the door

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