Gene Bertoncini
Gene Bertoncini | |
---|---|
Born | New York City, New York, U.S. | April 6, 1937
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation | Musician |
Instrument | Guitar |
Years active | 1960s–present |
Labels | MPS, Stash, Chiaroscuro, Concord, Motéma |
Website | genebertoncini |
Gene J. Bertoncini (born 6 April 1937) is an American jazz guitarist.
Biography
Bertoncini was born in New York City,[1] where he was raised in a musical family. His father, Mario Bertoncini (1901–1978), played guitar and harmonica. Gene Bertoncini began playing guitar at age seven and by age sixteen was appearing on television. He graduated from high school and attended the University of Notre Dame, where, in 1959, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering.[1][2][3]
Early in life, Bertoncini had lessons with Johnny Smith. After college Bertoncini moved to Chicago where he became immersed in the jazz scene, working with Carmen McRae. He returned to New York and played with vibraphonist Mike Mainieri and then played in one of Buddy Rich's ensembles. Bertoncini's career has included playing with Benny Goodman, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws, Paul Desmond, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, Vic Damone, and Eydie Gorme among others.
Bertoncini had a long-running duo with bassist Michael Moore. He was part of the staff orchestras on shows featuring Merv Griffin, Jack Paar and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. After hearing a Julian Bream record at the advice of Chuck Wayne, Bertoncini began studying classical guitar and brought the instrument into playing jazz.[4] For some eighteen years, Bertoncini played Sunday and Monday evenings at the Bistro La Madeleine on West 43rd St. in New York City.
Bertoncini has been on the faculties of Eastman School of Music, the New England Conservatory, New York University and the Banff School of Fine Arts in Alberta, Canada. Gene Bertoncini is on the faculty of William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. He is also on the staff of the Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps.
Reception
Review of Acoustic Romance and The Good Stuff: A Tribute to Charlie Byrd:
"While electric instruments dominate the jazz guitar world, a minority of players choose to use the acoustic nylon-string, not only for its sonic properties but also because it more agreeably supports fingerstyle technique, which opens up a whole spectrum of musical possibilities not otherwise obtainable. One of the finest players among this discerning breed is Gene Bertoncini, whose command of harmony and texture can transform even the most mundane tune into an intriguing, multidimensional masterpiece, something he does with certainty on both Acoustic Romance and The Good Stuff, varying projects that showcase the scope of his considerable abilities." (Jim Ferguson, JazzTimes)[5]
Review of Body and Soul:
"Gene Bertoncini--who plays the nylon-string acoustic guitar with his fingers, a situation ideally suited for solo work--creates sounds that are refined, elegant, and complex. His playing works a tune from the inside, fully exploring its harmonic, melodic, and textural implications much like a classical composer develops an idea on paper." (Jim Ferguson, JazzTimes)[6]
Review of Just the Two of Us:
"This album, recorded live in 1998, pairs not only two masters of the guitar, but also two distinctly different instruments and approaches. Bertoncini employs a nylon-string with fingerstyle technique akin to that of a classical player, while Wilkins uses a traditional archtop electric and essentially is a pick specialist. The net outcome is intricate, spontaneous music that is frequently brilliant in both conception and execution." (Jim Ferguson, JazzTimes)[7]
Discography
As leader
- 1969 Evolution
- 1977 Bridges with Michael Moore (MPS)
- 1984 Close Ties with Michael Moore (Omnisound)
- 1986 O Grande Amor with Michael Moore (Stash)
- 1987 Strollin' with Michael Moore (Stash)
- 1989 Two in Time with Michael Moore (Chiaroscuro)
- 1997 Jobim Someone to Light Up My Life (Chiaroscuro)
- 1999 Gene Bertoncini with Bill Charlap and Sean Smith (Chiaroscuro)
- 1999 Body and Soul (Orchard)
- 2000 Just the Two of Us with Jack Wilkins (Chiaroscuro)
- 2002 Meeting of the Grooves with Frank Vignola (Azica)
- 2003 The Good Stuff A Tribute to Charlie Byrd (Noteworthy)
- 2003 Acoustic Romance with Akira Tana and Rufus Reid (Sons of Sound)
- 2005 Quiet Now (Ambient)
- 2008 Smile: Jazz Therapy Vol. 1 with Roni Ben-Hur (Motéma)
- 2008 Concerti (Ambient)[8]
- 2013 Reunion with Mike Mainieri, Michael Moore, Joe Corsello (Ambient)
- 2014 Joy with Clay Jenkins, Ike Sturm (Ambien)
As sideman or guest
With Luiz Bonfá
- 1970 The New Face of Bonfá
- 1989 Non-Stop to Brazil
- 1992 The Bonfá Magic
With Paul Desmond
- 1970 Bridge Over Troubled Water (CTI)
- 1973 Skylark (CTI)
With Astrud Gilberto
- 1971 Gilberto with Turrentine (CTI)
- 1977 That Girl from Ipanema
With Diane Hubka
- 1998 Haven't We Met? (Challenge)
- 2002 You Inspire Me
With Tom Knific
- 1998 Home Base Duos and Trios
- 2004 Siena
With Hubert Laws
- 1971 Afro-Classic (CTI)
- 1971 The Rite of Spring (CTI)
- 1973 Carnegie Hall (CTI)
- 1974 In the Beginning (CTI)
- 1976 Then There Was Light Vol. 1
- 1977 Then There Was Light Vol. 2
- 1981 Pavane
With Herbie Mann
- 1965 Herbie Mann Plays The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd (Atlantic)
- 1968 The Herbie Mann String Album (Atlantic)
With Susannah McCorkle
- 1985 How Do You Keep the Music Playing?
- 1986 Dream
With Chuck Redd
- 2002 All This and Heaven Too
- 2006 Chuck Redd Remembers Barney Kessel
With Lonnie Liston Smith
- 1976 Renaissance
- 1991 Watercolors
With Sylvia Syms
- 1967 For Once in My Life (Prestige)
- 1978 She Loves to Hear the Music
- 1984 A Jazz Portrait of Johnny Mercer
With others
- 1963 Macanudo, Ahmad Jamal
- 1963 More, Clark Terry
- 1963 Tread Ye Lightly, Clark Terry
- 1964 Five on Eight, Rufus Jones
- 1965 Miss Morgana King, Morgana King
- 1965 Spunky, Monty Alexander
- 1966 Prairie Dog, Duke Pearson
- 1966 The Dissection and Reconstruction of Music From the Past as Performed By the Inmates of Lalo Schifrin's Demented Ensemble as a Tribute to the Memory of the Marquis De Sade, Lalo Schifrin (Verve)
- 1967 Guitar U.S.A., Tony Mottola
- 1967 A Latin Love-in, Tony Mottola
- 1967 The Great Arrival, Doc Severinsen
- 1968 Manhattan Serenade, Earl Coleman
- 1968 Love Songs, Earl Coleman
- 1968 Toots!, Toots Thielemans
- 1968 The Winter Consort, Paul Winter
- 1969 Something in the Wind, Paul Winter
- 1969 But Beautiful, Nancy Wilson
- 1969 I've Gotta Be Me, Tony Bennett
- 1970 Blows the Blues, Sonny Stitt
- 1970 Odyssey of Iska, Wayne Shorter (Blue Note)
- 1971 Charles McPherson, Charles McPherson (Mainstream)
- 1972 All the King's Horses, Grover Washington Jr.
- 1972 Flute In, Bobbi Humphrey
- 1972 Gene Harris of the Three Sounds, Gene Harris
- 1972 Moon Germs, Joe Farrell
- 1972 Natural Illusions, Bobby Hutcherson
- 1972 Two Headed Freap, Ronnie Foster (Blue Note)
- 1973 Blues Farm, Ron Carter (CTI)
- 1973 From the Depths of My Soul, Marlena Shaw
- 1974 Jane Harvey, Jane Harvey
- 1976 A Piece of the Apple, New York Mary
- 1976 Traveling, Chuck Wayne
- 1977 Good Vibes for Kurt Weill, Warren Chiasson
- 1977 The Best Thing for You, Chet Baker (A&M)
- 1979 Midnight Rendezvous, Tasha Thomas
- 1980 Sebesky Fantasy, Don Sebesky
- 1981 My One and Only Love, Michal Urbaniak
- 1982 After the Rain, Michel Legrand
- 1983 The Artistry of Mark Murphy, Mark Murphy
- 1985 The Lady's in Love with You!, Margaret Whiting
- 1988 Some Other Time, Julie Kelly
- 1990 Some People's Lives, Bette Midler
- 1991 Tailor Made, Trudy Desmond
- 1992 Nnenna Freelon, Nnenna Freelon
- 1992 Roger Kellaway meets Gene Bertoncini and Michael Moore
- 1993 Playin' in the Yard, Bob Kindred
- 1993 Sea Journey, Jesse Green
- 1993 Tribute to Wes Montgomery, Project G-7
- 1994 Black Brown & Beige, Louie Bellson
- 1994 Debut of a Legend, Johnny Frigo
- 1994 Soft Whyte, Ronny Whyte
- 1995 Forever, Jackie and Roy
- 1995 King of Swing 1958–1967, Benny Goodman
- 1995 Magic Window: Music of Van Heusen, Sandra King
- 1995 Swingtime! Canadian Brass
- 1995 Visions, Richard Stoltzman
- 1996 Better Than Ever, Julius La Rosa
- 1996 Jiggs & Gene, Jiggs Whigham
- 1997 Conversation Pieces, John Pisano
- 1997 It's Time, Linda Eder
- 1997 Oh What a Memory We Made Tonight, Peggy King
- 1997 Silent Passion, Meredith D'Ambrosio
- 1998 East Meets Midwest, Kenny Poole
- 1998 I'll Be Easy to Find, Sarah Partridge
- 1998 If Women Ruled the World, Ethel Ennis
- 1999 Great Duets, Jay Leonhart
- 1999 Passion Guitars, Bucky Pizzarelli
- 1999 Talkin' Verve, Lalo Schifrin
- 1999 We Remember Tal, Various
- 2000 Ensemble, The Flying Pisanos
- 2001 Rebecca Kilgore with the Keith Ingham Sextet
- 2001 Swinging with Strings, Skitch Henderson
- 2002 On a Misty Night, Stanley Turrentine
- 2002 Secret Love: The Music of Doris Day, Karen Oberlin
- 2003 Blame It on My Youth, Sarah Partridge
- 2003 Broadway My Way, Linda Eder
- 2003 I Can Pick My Friends, Chris Buzzelli
- 2004 Guitar & Bass, Ron Carter
- 2004 Facets, Gerry Niewood
- 2004 West of Everywhere, Renata Artman Knific
- 2005 Just Above a Whisper, Janet Planet
- 2005 Lerner in Love, Barbara Brussell
- 2007 Best of Bossa Nova, Ithamara Koorax
- 2007 Floating on the Silence, Tom Wolfe
- 2007 Once More with Feeling, Phil Bodner[9]
References
- ^ a b Gene Bertoncini at AllMusic
- ^ Official website
- ^ Summerfield, Maurice. 1998. The Jazz Guitar: Its Evolution, Players and Personalities Since 1900. United Kingdom: Ashley Mark Publishing
- ^ Schlesinger, Dr. Judith. "The Architect of the Guitar (interview)". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
I started practicing classical guitar just about the time when the bossa nova hit. Joao was borrowing my guitar, I was playing the classical repertoire, and all these things kind of came together. I was doing studio work at the time, and I got a call to play on a big album by Ahmad Jamal; they wanted somebody to play a bossa nova kind of thing.
- ^ JazzTimes review of Acoustic Romance and The Good Stuff by Jim Ferguson (retrieved 3 October 2011)
- ^ JazzTimes review of Body and Soul by Jim Ferguson (retrieved 3 October 2011)
- ^ JazzTimes review of Just the Two of Us by Jim Ferguson (retrieved 3 October 2011)
- ^ "Gene Bertoncini | Album Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ "Gene Bertoncini | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2017.