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Englewood Concert Finds Yankee Legend Moving Forward in His Music Career A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch During his tenure with the NY Yankees, center fielder Bernie Williams was a five time All Star, a four time Gold Glove winner and with the team he earned four World Series Rings. Yet, this talented individual did not rest on his laurels but pursued another passion - music.
 Bernie Williams is Moving Forward in his music career (Photo by Bill Menzel). Williams is a well respected classically trained composer and guitarist. In 2003, he released The Journey Within on a major record label. Bernie's debut was a mix of styles melding jazz, Latin and Williams' Puerto Rican heritage. In 2009, he delivered Moving Forward a fourteen track album that featured collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Jon Secada and Dave Koz. This CD was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the same year. Bernie Williams and his band took center stage at the BergenPAC in Englewood, New Jersey on April 22, 2010. The team of eight came out first as the crowd chanted "lets go Bernie". Williams was warmly greeting by his fans (some sporting Yankee gear). Despite the rowdy start the audience was attentive and respectful as the musicians played a dozen mostly instrumental compositions. They opened with "Moving Forward" a medley of up-tempo jazz groves. Bernie dedicated the song to Wayman Tisdale, the NBA player turned respected jazz bassist who passed away in 2009 saying, "he paved the way for guys like me". The sound was well mixed allowing each instrument even parts of percussion to be heard. In the tradition of jazz, Williams often stepped to the side allowing other team members to solo and shine. "Thank you so much for coming," effused Bernie who chatted between the majority of songs offering titles and sharing some of the insights that inspired his compositions. The chart-topping "Go For It" was funky and feisty with a heavy dose of horns, including a sassy sax solo followed by a swaggering guitar solo from Williams. Desvelado is the Spanish word for sleepless explained Bernie. He continued that the next piece was written at three in the morning when he was contemplating a slump. Thus, proving that positives can come out of negatives. "Desvelado" had shades of an island vibe combined with complex chord progressions. The horn players were adding percussion to punctuate points in the piece.
 Bernie's new CD and a look inside the BergenPAC. "Addicted To You" was written in response to his love for the game and dealing with a mini depression after his retirement. The piece was passionate featuring plenty of percussion including tambourine taps. Williams had already worked up a sweat and an observant fan tossed a bottle of water to an appreciative Bernie. Williams introduced his team and talked about the next song "Ritmo de Antonio", which was inspired by Puerto Rico. The composition captured the feel of being on a warm beach with its giddy grooves. "Let's sing a couple of songs," stated Bernie as Eren Cannata moved to the mic. Eren had been one of the percussionist with a reserved role but when he stepped forward his personality changed. He was earthy and expressive in his melody and movements and was assisted by other members in the band. "Just Another Day" was swinging with the crowd clapping along and Bernie playing a bit of cow bell. They slid into Steve Miller's "Fly Like An Eagle" adding airy keyboard effects and horns to their interpretation. Eren's father Richie Cannata - the veteran and All-Star saxophone player in the Billy Joel band, was the musical director for the evening and he was also passionate in overseeing the proceedings. Richie managed the musical moments and made sure all the parts were in their proper place as the evening progressed. "African Blues" was an interesting instrumental with fine fret work from Bernie and flavorful fielding from the band. "La Salsa En Mi" was festive and feisty with fans clapping along. "Stranded On The Bridge" as you may conjecture was conceived by Bernie when stuck in traffic. William scored big with this song that ran though a series of sequences. It included jaunting jams, dueling drums, a beguiling bass solo and a triumphant trumpet tag. Bernie was beaming as the band hit a home run with the tune and winning the game so to speak. They quickly returned for the encore. A cover of Van Morrison's "Domino" was delightful in its diversity and extended instrumental exchanges followed with a few more shout outs and thank yous to the fans and the game of baseball. Williams and his keyboardist closed with thoughtful "Take Me Out To The Ball Game". Bernie put his own spin on it mixing the familiar refrain with his own magical muse. Bernie hit it out of the BegenPAC on Earth Day and his warm up act Patrick Droney also scored. Patrick is a seventeen year old guitar player and singer who aptly engaged and entertained the Yankee fans. He led an energetic four piece through a quick set of bluesy yet assessable songs that included a smart version of Robin Trower's "Bridge of Sighs". Droney's guitars solos were daring and dense and his team was talented. ABOUT THE BERGENPAC: Bergen Performing Arts Center (BergenPAC) is an organization of and for the community that it serves throughout northern New Jersey, by being a creative focus, educational resource, and engine of economic vitality. BergenPAC's mission is to make the live performing arts accessible to the entire population - building a creative home that guides and liberates the imagination of our young, inspires and expands the lives of our adults, and attracts established and emerging artists of excellence and relevance. This timeless theater is conveniently located in downtown Englewood among a diverse range of restaurants and shops.
 Patrick Droney supplied some quality blues guitar to open the show. Related Links: For more information on BERNIE WILLIAMS and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Bernie Williams Site | bergenpac.org | Buy Moving Forward | PatrickDroney.com
(Originally Published on April 26, 2010) |
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