The Deep Shelly Berg & David Finck

• 1 Fellini's Waltz 05:39
• 2 Solar 02:32
• 3 For Gunther 06:37
• 4 Dindi 08:00
• 5 For John Lewis 02:26
• 6 Peri's Scope 04:53
• 7 Why Did I Choose You? 05:11
• 8 Glacier Lake 03:43
• 9 3rd World 03:42
• 10 Whistling Away The Dark 06:04
• 11 Lunar 02:32
• 12 If You Never Came to Me 05:52
• 13 The Deep 04:20
• 14 Just You Just Me 05:13
• Total Runtime 01:06:44

Info for The Deep

The duo album has tremendous lineage throughout Jazz history and on Chesky Records. The Deep adds another timeless pairing with Shelly Berg and David Finck complimenting each other on fourteen stunning new cuts, many of which were improvised on the spot. We are hearing them react to each other and create in real time with no discussion other than with their instruments, showcasing a lifetime of masterfully honed skill and experience. That this improvised material works so well with the standards they chose is further testament to the musicianship of Berg and Finck.

"Neither virtuoso wastes time and/or energy trying to find novel approaches; they just let the music speak; exercising monumental restraint where other less experienced musicians might take showy liberties. I have seldom heard Antonio Carlos Jobim’s music – as in “Dindi” and “Inútil Paisagem” (“If You Never Come To Me” or “Useless Landscape”) – rendered with such persuasive grace – not even by Eumir Deodato (1964) or Nana Caymmi (2002), or dare I say, even by Mr Jobim himself. Nor has the magnificent longing of “Peri’s Scope” been expressed so charmingly by a succession of musicians who’ve made valiant efforts to do so. On top of all of this are six wholly improvised songs (listed under Mr Berg’s name but “created” by both musicians). Each of them virtually stop the breath and accelerate the heart.

I also find the playing of David Finck particularly full-blooded and when Mr Berg asks for the impression of deep gravitas (on both “Lunar” and “The Deep”) that is exactly what Mr Finck conjures up. Everywhere, of course, Shelly Berg is a delight – with the right hand giving a ravishing display pf pianissimo and fortissimo pyrotechnics as if on demand. And of course, this is a Binaural Head recording by the magician, Nicholas Prout aided and abetted by Mor Mezrich and (here) by Max Steen, which is a compelling reason why this exquisite music, articulated through a silky, translucent tone is captured in an intimate recording." (Raul Da Gama, jazzdagama.com)

Shelly Berg, David Finck,

Shelly Berg
is the International Association of Jazz Educators president and a teacher. However, his incredible piano playing has been mostly overlooked because he doesn’t record often enough. Shelly Berg was inspired by Jay Berg, his father as a trumpeter, and was accepted to the Cleveland Institute of Music at six years old. When he was 13 years old, he began playing professionally in jazz and classical music. Berg moved to Houston when he was 15 with his family. He played regularly with Arnett Cobb, as well as other all-stars who passed through the town. To finish his education, he turned down a position with Woody Herman. Berg was a graduate of the University of Houston and played with various groups locally, including the Brass Connection. After becoming a well-respected music educator at San Jacinto College, Texas, Berg moved to Los Angeles in 1991 to continue his teaching at U.S.C. Shelly Berg is a frequent performer in Los Angeles clubs. He often plays with Bill Watrous’ bands. In 1996, he recorded a fine trio for DMP.

David Finck
One of today’s most versatile and in-demand bassists, David Finck has developed into an impressive composer, arranger, and producer. Future Day (Soundbrush Records), his debut CD as a leader, garnered an impressive amount of critical raves. Once again in the studio with his long time colaborators Joe Locke, Gary Versace, Carl Allen, Jim Saporito with guests Ali Ryerson and Alexis Cole, Finck has produced a recording full of delightful surpirses, as his perspective form the low end of the band propels the songs to new levels of beauty and swing.

David’s resume includes performances and recordings with some of the world’s most well known musicians. Among them: George Michael (two European tours 2 CDs and a DVD), Michel Legrand, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Rod Stewart, Ivan Lins. Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Steve Kuhn. Rosemary Clooney, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul and Mary, John Secada, Gloria Estefan, James Moody, Paquito D’Rivera, Eliane Elias,Linda Rondstadt, and Sir Andre Previn who writes: ‘There is no one who is as good a jazz bass player and collaborator.’

Additionally, David has written numerous liner notes and contributed to the Village Voice as well as a chapter in the book: Frank Sinatra; the Man, the Music, the Legend. (University of Rochester Press). He has also lectured at two Hofstra University symposiums on the work of Frank Sinatra.

This album contains no booklet.