SST Blog

Memories   12/17/19   The strangest thing happened to me last night at dinner. I'm in Oakland, California, spending a few days with my childhood friend Maggie. On Monday I had lunch with two of my musician buddies, Chris Siebert and Marcus Shelby.  Chris brought a couple of his pianist pals. Lunch was three hours of music talk, anecdotes and copious laughter.   Then I went to play tennis with Maggie at her club. They play doubles there. I'm strictly a singles guy (in more ways than tennis). I found the experience challenging. It's still see-the-ball-and-hit-it, but there are all...

David Berger and the Sultans of Swing performing David Berger's arrangement of I Cried For You at Swing 46 in New York City on October 13, 2019. Personnel performing: Jay Brandford Kurt Bacher Jay Rattman Mark Hynes Carl Maraghi   Bob Millikan Colin Brigstocke Irv Grossman Kerry MacKillop   Wayne Goodman Willie Applewhite Nana Sakamoto   Isaac ben Ayala Mathias Pichler Greg Joseph   Like this arrangement?  Play it with your own band!  This chart is available for purchase here.

David Berger and the Sultans of Swing performing David Berger's arrangement of Swingin' Down The Lane by Jones and Kahn at Swing 46 in New York City on October 13, 2019. Personnel performing: Jay Brandford Kurt Bacher Jay Rattman Mark Hynes Carl Maraghi   Bob Millikan Colin Brigstocke Irv Grossman Kerry MacKillop   Wayne Goodman Willie Applewhite Nana Sakamoto   Isaac ben Ayala Mathias Pichler Greg Joseph   Like this arrangement?  Play it with your own band!  This chart is available for purchase here.

They Always Know That You’re Pandering 12/11/19  David Berger   I got the following email a few days ago (as is):   Hi everyone, What would be your suggestions for a crowd pleaser ? My band will play as an opener for 15' before a major act at a local  festival. I have 15' to make my boys ( and girls ) shine. I guess people who will attend know nothing about jazz, let alone Big Band so I am kind of decided to let aside my musical tastes and try to please the audience ( and thus the contactor ) with...

David Berger and the Sultans of Swing performing David Berger's original composition One Too Many at Swing 46 in New York City on October 13, 2019. Personnel performing: Jay Brandford Kurt Bacher Jay Rattman Mark Hynes Carl Maraghi   Bob Millikan Colin Brigstocke Irv Grossman Kerry MacKillop   Wayne Goodman Willie Applewhite Nana Sakamoto   Isaac ben Ayala Mathias Pichler Greg Joseph   Like this arrangement?  Play it with your own band!  This chart is available for purchase here.