PFT Media

It was a proud moment for the Major Scale to have the chance to speak with Karl Berger. Active since the 1960s, Berger has forged a career as a composer and vibist with an ear for talent, arranging, and bringing a sense of melody and groove to the avant-garde. Taking a cue from his first encounter with Don Cherry, jazz’s legendary gypsy traveller and inventor of World Beat. Berger has recorded under his own leadership with luminaries like Carla Bley, Ornette Coleman, and Lee Konitz – as well being tapped to enrich the music of Jeff Buckley, Natalie Merchant, and even Britney Spears!

The Da Capo Trio are an unsigned group with an amazing and fresh take on one of the basics: the jazz trio. Drums, bass, and the Fender Rhodes piano sound get a 21st century treatment with dazzling virtuosity and accessibility. With their set of originals, standards (Oleo), and surprising arrangements (Pat Matheny), classic jazz jargon says it best here with the Da Capo Trio “so far out, that they’re in.”

SONG CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE:

THEME: Jazz Phantom by Chomsk’ (from the album “Different Beats” on Magentic Records).

FIRST HALF: Symphony for Improvisers (Excerpt) by Don Cherry (from the album “Symphony for Improvisers” on Blue Note Records)

Excerpt from UCF workshop by Karl Berger

Movement 5 by Karl Berger (from the album “Gently Unfamiliar” on Tzadik records).

Eternal Rhythm pt. 1 by Don Cherry w/ Karl Berger (from the album “Eternal Rhythm” on MPS Records).

Lilac Wine by Jeff Buckley (from the album “Grace arr. by Karl Berger” on Columbia Records).

Travel South by Karl Berger (from the album “Karl Berger and Friends” on Black Saint Records).

Transit by Karl Berger (from the album “Transit” on Black Saint Records).

SECOND HALF: Oleo, Someday My Prince Will Come, Phase Dance, and Doc Wilky Mob Blues by The Da Capo Trio (from the album “Vine Street Performance”).