Jeff Berlin

Known for his adaptable technique and commanding presence on electric bass, Jeff Berlin emerged as a leading fusion player in the middle of the 1970s. His father performed opera while his mother played piano. Beginning at age five, Berlin studied violin for nine years and was recognized as a child prodigy, performing with orchestras throughout New York City. At fourteen he changed course and took up electric bass, counting Jack Bruce among his earliest influences. He spent time at Berklee College of Music before returning to New York. For a brief stretch he performed in a trio alongside Allan Holdsworth and Tony Williams. In 1975 he recorded in Europe with Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz, after which he established himself in New York through studio work, club appearances, and record dates. Among the many leading musicians he accompanied were Pat Martino, Gil Evans, Toots Thielemans, Al DiMeola, George Benson, Earl Klugh, Larry Coryell, Bob James, Dave Liebman, Herbie Mann, Ray Barretto, and the Brecker Brothers. Starting in 1977 he served for several years as a core member of Bill Bruford’s ensemble, which also featured guitarist Holdsworth and keyboardist Dave Stewart, resulting in four recordings.

Berlin later relocated to Los Angeles, where he performed in clubs with Scott Henderson and Frank Gambale, helped establish the Bass Institute of Technology as an educator, explored rock music including a collaboration with Frank Zappa, and declined an invitation to join Van Halen. Between 1985 and 1986 he cut two fusion and rock albums for the short-lived Passport label. After moving to Florida in 1990 he toured with Yes, John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Kazumi Watanabe, and artists spanning numerous inventive styles. He also began teaching at the Players School. His third leader date, the 1997 album Taking Notes for Denon, represented his most jazz-focused recording up to that point. He continued issuing albums well into the twenty-first century, among them Lumpy Jazz (2004) with his regular trio of pianist Richard Drexler and drummer Danny Gottlieb; the widely praised In Harmony’s Way (2004), which included guest contributions from saxophonist David Liebman, vibraphonist Gary Burton, and guitarist Mike Stern; Ace of Bass/Aneurythms (2006); and the piano-trio-focused High Standards (2010), again featuring Drexler and Gottlieb alongside the leader.