Pianist, composer and bandleader David Berkman reunited with Palmetto Records founder Matt Balitsaris to co-produce his new album, Old Friends and New Friends. Palmetto released four of Berkman’s albums between 1998 and 2004. The co-producers assembled a talented cast of jazz musicians for this album: drummer Brian Blade (who played on the three of the four earlier albums); bassist Linda Oh (who played the Dakota on April 12 with the Anat Cohen Quartet); Dayna Stephens, saxes; Adam Kolker, clarinet and saxes; and Billy Drewes, saxes. Berkman, 56, a native of Cleveland now living in New York, also teaches and conducts clinics, when not writing and producing exquisite jazz music, like the nine songs on Old Friends and New Friends. — M.S.
(American Jewish World, 5.8.15)
