Jeff Berlin Interview

A powerful and unique electric bassist, Jeff Berlin has been one of the legend fusion bassist with his super technique since the mid-'70s. He has played with Alan Holdsworth, Brecker Brothers, Gil Evans, Kazumi Watanabe and others in jazz fusion and also Bill Bruford, Yes, Van Halen and so on in rock area.

Recently he released his new jazz fusion CD "In Harmony's Way" featuring Mike Stern, Gary Burton, Dave Liebman and others, that is only available on his own web site at www.jeffberlinmusic.com.


In Harmony's Way
CyberFusion (CF)
First of all, I listened to your new CD "In Harmony's way" and I really like it.
In this CD "In Harmony's way", it seems you have more 4 beat jazz numbers than before. Did you select the more 4 beat songs intentionally?

Jeff Berlin(JB)
Yes! I love swing music and I love 4/4 music. I'm known as a fusion bass player who helped to pioneer odd time signature music. But, I have to be honest and tell you that I would rather not play odd time signatures. Funk music, rock music and much of jazz music is in 4/4 for a reason; it feels great to hear it and play it. That's why I decided to stick as much as I could to 4/4 on "In Harmony's Way."

CF
Did you pick musicians for the CD by considering the image of songs? Or did you decide what type of music after you had picked the musicians?

JB
The music came first. Then I chose the best musicians I could find to play my music. These guys are all jazz stars for a very good reason; they play like monsters. I always play better when I play with players who inspire me to new heights on my bass. Danny was Pat Metheny's drummer for years. Richard is one of the truly gifted pianists that I have played with. Dave Liebman and Mike Stern played with Miles Davis and they are incredible players. And Gary Burton is a genius all by himself.

CF
Dave Liebman, Danny Gottlieb and Gary Burton are rather unexpected for your album to me. How did you decide the musicians?

JB
I asked Gary, Dave, and Mike to play on my record because I knew that my music would be super hot with them. My CD has the energy of a bullet train speeding through Tokyo. These musicians made this happen. I know Gary since we met in 1972. I recorded with Dave Liebman and played in his band in the middle 1970's. Danny and I used to play with Pat Martino and Pat Metheny. Mike Stern and I used to just do gigs wherever we could find them. I met Richard Drexler in Clearwater, Florida in the 1990's and I knew that I had to record with him someday. Captain Billy Lang who played rhythm guitar on "Pale Glider" and "Reggae Ricardo" is a real airline captain with Air New Zealand. He also happens to be an incredible guitar player which is why I asked him to record with me.

CF
In "Emeril Kicks it up", the sound of your bass solo has a real presence. Are you using any kind of effects like a digital chorus?

JB
I use chorus when I play and record. But, my solo on "Emeril Kicks It Up" is due to the way I recorded in the studio. I tried to get a slight growl on my bass and make it bright without using treble. I think I have a terrific sound on my solo bass on that tune. Emeril Lagasse is a famous chef in the United States. He has one of the most famous cooking show on American TV. And the other popular cooking show is Iron Chef, the show that comes from Japan. Americans LOVE that program. I love it too. I wish that I could meet those guys and be a guest on the panel.

CF
Jeff Berlin and Dave Weckle
What is your concept of the album and what is your favarite song in your new CD?

JB
As a bass player, my favorite tune is "This Is Your Brain on Jazz." My solo is the best bass solo I ever recorded. I think that "Runaway Train" is the album's most powerful song. On this tune, Drexler and Liebman play terrific solos. Plus, I invented a totally new bass concept for that tune that you will not hear anywhere else in the world. For groove, there's "Emeril Kicks It Up." I will compare my bass playing and the groove of this tune to anything ever recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.

CF
If you have any story during the recording, will you tell us?

JB
The only interesting story that stands out in my mind is what happened to my bass in the studio. I recorded the CD on only one bass, my Jeff Berlin Model built by Dean Guitars. Because I only brought one bass with me to the sessions, I had to be careful with it. One afternoon, I leaned my bass up against the wall. A moment later, I heard a sliding sound. I turned around just in time to see the bass fall face down on the floor and land with a loud slap. It actually bounced off the floor. I was scared to death that I damaged the guitar because I really love this bass. All that happened to it was that the nut was chipped. The bass was still playable. So I finished the record and repaired the nut when I returned to Clearwater.

CF
In your bass solos, you sound like playing only by left hand's hammering not by finger picking. In such style, it seems difficult to play as evenly loud as finger picking. But your hammering sounds are as loud as finger picked sounds. What are the tips for the techinique?

JB
My bass playing has evolved into what it is. I use left hand legato, but I also pick each note with my right hand. The left hand playing became easy to do because it became natural for me over time. It allowed me to play with a lot more fluidity, just like a saxophone player. I still pluck with my right hand. But, since many bass players try to sound like Jaco Pastorius, I try to go in the opposite direction and find a new way for me to play. The legato left hand came out of this change in my playing.

CF
What do you think about popularity of smooth jazz movement?

JB
It isn't what I listen to. But, if many people are enjoying this music, then it has a purpose and therefore, it should be respected.

CF
Will you tell us your recent activity? Also please tell us about your future plan.

JB
Recently, I have been touring to promote "In Harmony's Way." It is only available on my website at www.jeffberlinmusic.com because I have doctor bills to pay. My son had cancer. Now that he is recovered, I have many medical bills even with medical insurance. I am promoting this CD to earn enough money to pay my debt. Touring wise, I will be in England and Italy in the fall to play with my band. I am also going to appear on several American TV shows. This pleases me because I am getting more attention than I ever had before. I am also still teaching at my music school, The Players School of Music(www.playerschool.com) And, I still do clinics and record with other musicians.

CF
Do you have plans to come to Japan? Any messages to your fans?

JB
I would love to come and play in Japan. If I can find someone interested in promoting me there, I will bring my band and play as many shows as I can.

My message to my Japanese fans is.......THANK YOU! I appreciate your support of my music and I would love to play for you all sometime soon. Thank you to the Japanese fan who have already own a copy of "In Harmony's Way".

Thank you very much.

CF
Thank you very much.



Interview by CyberFusion
Photos courtesy from jeffberlinmusic.com
copyright 2001 by CyberFusion