Karl Berger’s Improvisers Orchestra
The KBIO takes the principles of CMS Orchestra Workshops to a professional level, with astounding results. Through an open ‘rehearsal’ that precedes each performance, audiences can listen and watch as Karl transmits the “Music Mind” concepts he developed at CMS. Audiences can see how Karl shapes the sound and feel of the orchestra and how he gets the musicians to harmonize and blend orchestral sounds in an improvisational setting. Conducted in Karl’s inimitable style, this orchestra of extraordinary improvisers explores original themes, melodies from the world’s folk traditions and compositions written by legendary improvisers such as Don Cherry or Ornette Coleman, as well as musical ideas that arise spontaneously. One of the orchestra's trademarks is Ingrid Sertso’s uncanny vocalization and poetry. The Improvisers Orchestra completed an eight-month residency at The Stone followed by three months at the Jazz Gallery, both in NYC.
KARL BERGER’S ORCHESTRA REVIEWS
Karl Berger has been a pioneer in large-scale jazz improvisation longer than just about anybody, which explains why his Improvisers Orchestra swings as hard, and interestingly, and often hauntingly as they do…Berger is an elegant and economical pianist, which informs how he conducts….Berger reaches deep into his bag of riffs and sends them through the orchestra, sometimes wafting, sometimes reeling, sometimes both….Like the best big bands, this crew use the entirety of their dynamic range. The ensemble weren’t often all playing at once, making those lush crescendos all the more towering and intense… built to lush, swinging swells with the phantasmagorical sweep of the Gil Evans Orchestra and the rough-and-tumble bustle of the Mingus bands. The camaraderie and warmth of the repartee between the orchestra and conductor – and among the orchestra itself – was visceral. - Lucid Culture (Blog)
The suite-like performances have a warm, buoyant vibe issuing from brief folkloric-like motifs and the low-key, common-sense guidance Karl offers his players. They are mostly veteran musicians from avant rock and world music as well as jazz scenes, and can expand on simple themes paying utmost attention to dynamics and each other…..The collective’s intuited communication has attained a high point since weekly shows began last April 2011 - Howard Mandel
The compositions of Karl Berger have a clear-cut destination, with a beginning, a middle, and an ending…..Surprisingly, much of Mr. Berger’s music isn’t exactly free form but draws on lush harmonies and a well-defined relationship between foreground soloists and background…..The music is comparatively easy on the ears because Mr. Berger also relies on woodwinds, reeds and strings (as well as the soothing voice of Ingrid Sertso) rather than brass- Will Friedwald, Wall Street Journal
I feel so happy to listen to you guys. For me it’s an oasis in the middle of all these stressful energies that the city brings. I love the atmospheres that you and Ingrid (Sertso) create - Sonia Megias, composer
The orchestra’s sound is born of the moment, founded by the players’ instincts, skill and need to emote----and it’s then organized by Karl’s artful hand and facial expressions. Sculptor-like, he molds and shapes the aural force emanating from this collection of brass, reeds, strings and percussion set before him. Berger has developed an incredible language of his own; never losing sight of the musicians’ individuality,he plays the orchestra. This orchestra has proven itself as a wonderfully expansive vision of what a ‘big band’ could be. From early September till this writing (December 2011), the line-up has shifted in membership with a solid core of regulars and a series of guests who are passing through New York while on tour. Each time I have seen new faces, heard new accents and reveled in new and exciting musical concepts. - John Pietaro
Karl Berger’s Improvisers Orchestra Roster of Players (2012/13)
(of these, plus guest performers, 25 to 30 players participate in the regular performances of KBIO in New York, subject to availability)
Warren Smith, Lou Grassi, Harris Eisenstadt, Harvey Sorgen, David Miller (drums)
Ken Filiano, Adam Lane, Joe Fonda, Hilliard Greene, Dominic Lash, Michael Bisio, David Perrott, Lisa Dowling, Ratzo Harris (bass)
Kenny Wessel, Harvey Valdes, Ted Orr, Bill Wright, Adam Caine, James Keepnews (guitar)
John Ehlis (mandolin)
Catherine Sikora, Avram Fever (soprano sax)
Welf Doerr, Patrick Brennan, Mercedes Figueras, David Schnug, Jorge Sylvester (alto sax)
Peter Apfelbaum, Ras Moshe, Stephen Gauci, Yoni Kretschmer, Darryl Foster (tenor sax)
Bill Ylitalo, Sean Sonderegger (baritone sax)
Avram Fefer (soprano sax, tenor sax, bass clarinet)
Don Davis (altosax, contra alto clarinet)
Blaise Siwula, Jason Candler, Miguel Malla, (clarinets)
Michael Lytle, Josh Sinton, Bohdan Hilash (bass clarinet)
Sylvain Leroux (flute, African flutes)
Yukari Watanabe (alto flute)
Ken Ya Kawaguchi (Shakuhachi)
Eddie Rollin (oboe)
Sarah Schoenbeck (bassoon)
Steven Bernstein, Herb Robertson, Thomas Heberer, Brian Groder, Bob Selcoe, Kirk Knuffke (trumpet)
Steve Swell, Chris Washburne (trombone)
Yasuno Katsuki, (euphonium)
Sana Nagano, Frederika Krier, Chern Hwei Fung, Skye Steele, Eloisa Manera, David Bakriges (violin)
Jason Hwang, Nicole Federici, Judith Insell (viola)
Tomas Ulrich (cello)
Art Bailey (accordion)
John Pietaro, Hollis Headrick (percussion)
Philip Foster (odds and ends)
Ingrid Sertso, Mossa Bildner, Thomas Buckner (vocals)
A trademark of all KBIO performances is the vocals and poetry of Ingrid Sertso. All are conducted by Karl Berger (who also plays piano, melodica and vibraphone)