ABOUT
Christopher Berger studied jazz and classical at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. During his college years, Chris backed up artists such as Joe Williams and Steve Allen. After college, he spent a year touring the world with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson.
Since moving to New York City in 1994, he has worked and/or recorded with jazz luminaries Herb Ellis, Hubert Laws, Junior Mance, James Williams, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Mundel Lowe, Joe Levano, Richie Cole, Jimmy Cobb, Victor Lewis, Billy Hart, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. In addition to those artists, he worked with Eric Alexander, Russell Malone, Steve Wilson, Wycliffe Gordon, Bruce Williams, Chris Potter, Vic Juris, Nneena Freelon, Houston Person, and Dave Stryker. Outside of jazz, he has worked with Carol Channing, Paolo Szot,, Linda Eder, and Susanna McCorkle and joined the band of the off Broadway production of Rent in 1994 and subbed in the orchestra of Broadway’s After Midnight in 2014.
Starting in 2001 Chris also spent ten years in residency at The Carlyle Hotel’s illustrious Bemeleman’s Bar as part of the Loston Harris Trio. Up to 2017 he was an integral figure at Bemeleman’s Bar performing with the Brandon McCune Trio, and the Champian Fulton trio. While playing at the Carlyle Chris had informal jam sessions with superstars Paul McCartney and Mariah Carey.
Recently Chris has been touring and recording with the TS Monk sextet as well as performing and recording with Nat Adderley Jr. Chris is also continuing his studies as a student of master bassist Ron Carter.
In addition to Chris’s performance schedule he is the bass instructor at Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey and adjunct instructor and clinician for the New Jersey Youth Symphony Jazz Ensemble.
DISCOGRAPHY:
Nat Adderley Jr-Took so Long
Hendrik Meurkens- The Jazz Meurkengers
Bruce Williams- Private Thoughts
Chris Berger - Conversations - KS Jazz
Loston Harris - Why Try to Change Me Now
Loston Harris - Timeless
Hendrik Meurkens- New York Nights featuring Jimmy Cobb
Mundell Lowe and Hendrick Meurkens - When Lights Are Lowe - Acoustic Music Records
Herb Ellis Trio with Hendrick Merukens - Burnin’ - Acoustic Music Records
Maynard Ferguson - These Cats Can Swing - Concord Records
Roy Meriwether - This One’s On Me - Fahrenheit Records
Allen Farnham - Meets the R.I.A.S. Big Bang - Concord Records
Richie Cole - Trenton Style - Alto Madness Records
Ernie Krivda and Paula Owen - So Nice to Meet You - Cadence Records
Ernie Krivda - Ernie Krivda Jazz - Cadence Records
Photo by Chris Drukker