REVIEW OF TRIO GIG BY ME

After the gig at smalls, I got a request from a jazz writer friend of mine (Jim Macnie) to write my own review of the gig. He is starting a new feature where musicians review themselves on his website. Here's the link:

http://lamentforastraightline.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/how-was-the-berkman-gig/

Of course, it's kind of hard to write about yourself without seeming egotistical, because I liked the gig, had a lot of fun and thought it went pretty well. But I didn't want to write THAT...So anyway, here's the review I wrote. I went for the jokey approach (big surprise there)--sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. Anyway, here it is--you be the judge.

A Review of My Trio Gig by David Berkman

“Well, modesty forbids me talking about my playing (although I can tell you that I was quite nattily dressed in a red and white striped seersucker shirt and a Navy Jacket with cannily hidden holes in it). I guess I could just quote things I overheard people say about me. “Ponderous yet rollicking,” murmured one salivating listener. “Naive yet disarmingly decadent,” agreed his companion. “Berkman’s version of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” brought to mind a young Henny Youngman, if Henny Youngman had played the piano and not told so many jokes,” observed an older Jewish lady. Embarrassed by such elaborate praise, I made my way through the adoring throng and went home. I have to tell you, in all honesty, Mitch (the creator of small’s and it’s gatekeeper) told me that our version of “Giant Steps” was the best he’d ever heard. Take that, John Coltrane.

I can however talk more freely about the brilliance of Otis Brown III on drums. He is one of my favorite drummers to play with and he brings a great sense of swing and adventure to every musical situation he is in. Johannes Weidenmuller was also great – he has so much rhythmic knowledge and maturity and I always feel like he is taking care of the music, guiding the band and providing the anchor we need just when we need it. For me, this was probably the best trio gig we’ve played and I am looking forward to more. Thanks to those who came out and a pox on those who didn’t. (Not a really nasty pox though–something mild. I’m not a vindictive person.)”