Shelton Berg is the Dean of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He is a jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, who in addition to recording and releasing his own work has done arrangements for KISS, Richard Marx, and Elliot Smith, among others. He has recorded or appeared with world-class jazz musicians like Woody Herman, Louis Bellson, Freddie Hubbard, and Randy Brecker.
Shelly Berg, Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, talks about his background. He is a jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He touches on the fact that playing can be considered its own industry. Berg shares that he orchestrated Kiss's last album. He also has worked on top ten recordings in a variety of areas such as alternative rock, Latin, classical, and country. Berg has composed for television and films as well.
Shelly Berg, Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, offers advice to aspiring musicians. Berg explains that if an individual can't imagine doing anything else but music, they should follow that passion. However, he points out that it takes a tremendous amount of dedication. Berg also emphasizes the importance of knowing how to invest one's time wisely. Along the way, individuals must recognize the importance of networking and the opportunities presented. Even though it may not be profitable, it will pay off later in one's career. Also in this segment, Berg discusses the vitality of music. It binds us together. Musicians are necessary.
Shelly Berg, Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, offers advice to parents concerned about their children pursuing music. Berg points out that most music students do not change majors. They see it through if they've sacrificed enough to go to a certain music school. Berg also explains that if the child is talented and chooses to develop that gift, it is an important part of the journey. The child either goes onto have a career or uses their experience as a springboard to be a success in some other area. Berg shares that he does not have a legacy of failures, but a legacy of individuals in a variety of fields.
Shelly Berg, Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, briefly discusses the critical importance of approaching your personal and business relationships entrepreneurially.
Shelly Berg, Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, lists some of his heroes such as Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Herbie Hancock, and Hank Jones. Berg also shares the importance having a hero, especially when starting out. It's a benchmark. He suggests to jazz band directors to have the same song playing each day to help students gain a deeper understanding of the piece. There is a correlation between that and a hero.
Shelly Berg, Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, talks about the importance of developing a relationship with the audience. The audience will give a musician encouragement and pull things out of the musician that he or she didn't know was possible. Therefore, Berg points out that it is never too early to develop one's own audience. The music industry is a business of relationships. One must make those relationships with other musicians and the audience.
Shelly Berg, Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, talks about the yin and yang quality of music. Everything comes from the opposite. There is a technical well and a spiritual well that must be filled up. Berg also shares what he considers to be the most difficult thing to teach - surrendering one's self to the music. Also in this segment, he discusses what he expects his jazz students to understand. They must know the lyric and understand what's unique about the composition. Berg explains that there are many ways to encourage what they know technically to make spiritual music. There is always a past, present, and future of a song.
Shelton Berg, professor, jazz studies, is an accomplished jazz pianist, composer, orchestrator and educator. His solo CDs include The Joy, on DMP records, and The Will, for CARS Records. The Will reached the top ten in the definitive Gavin Report. The full range of his versatility is expressed with an overview of his recent credits. Mr. Berg is the pianist and arranger for trombonist Bill Watrous, and has appeared and/or recorded with top industry professionals such as Woody Herman, Louis Bellson, Arnett Cobb, Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Daniels, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Ed Thigpen, Gerald Albright, Ernie Watts and Pete Christlieb. His credits as a composer for television include ABC's Fudge and CBS's A League of Their Own. He has orchestrated for Kiss, Chicago, Richard Marx and Elliot Smith. He also orchestrates films, including the Warner Brothers' releases Almost Heroes (1998) and Three To Tango (1999). He has written for the Royal Philharmonic and American Symphony, as well as orchestras in Los Angeles, Houston, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta. He is the past president of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE), and has appeared as a lecturer/performer or all-state clinician throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan and Israel. He has published numerous compositions for jazz ensemble, and is the author of Jazz Improvisation: The Goal-Note Method and The Chop-Monster Jazz Series. At USC, Mr. Berg conducts the ELF Ensemble, which has appeared at an IAJE Convention, and has performed with John Pattituci, Russ Ferrante, Chick Corea, Branford Marsalis, Lanny Morgan and others.
