Bernie Williams may not be swinging the bat in front of sold out crowds, but fans are still lining up to catch a glimpse of this great New York Yankee legend and embracing him with standing applause as he promotes and performs tracks off his latest album properly titled, "Moving Forward" now available for sale on-line and in-stores. Bernie is a gentle soul and I have spent the last year inching closer to my new friend getting a better understanding as to his ability to perform and excel beyond anybody's comprehension not in one highly acclaimed career, but two. If you have been living under a rock for the last 15 years and still don't know who I am talking about its time to get your head checked because Bern Baby Bern is a four time World Series Champion on his way to making musical history with this second release that features the incredible talents of Dave Koz, Mike Stern, Jon Secada, Patti Scialfa & The Boss! No not Steinbrenner. Bruce Springsteen.
Last night I met up with my friend at his latest performance filling in for the legendary Les Paul and the Les Paul Trio. Les had taken ill and is in recovery doing better, and he hopes to rejoin his trio soon. Until Les is 150% ready someone has to fill in shoes and who better than Bernie Williams? I met up with Bernie at the entrance of the legendary Iridium on 51st & Broadway. 51st Street with #51 and weighing 51 pounds lighter that was enough of a sign for me to know great things were going to take precedence Monday night, but Bernie brought artillery in the form of Grammy Nominated, and Westchester's very own Gil Parris. Gil is fresh off the road from his incredible show last week from the historical Blues Alley in Washington DC where he showcased his latest album "A Certain Beauty." The CD features Chris Botti, David Sanborn, Gloria Loring, and a list that will make any true Jazz aficionado's head spin. Bernie and Gil have been friends for a number of years and Gil became a mentor to Bernie where he instilled artistry with a fine blend of life into Bernie's musical creations and last night proved to the world that a jock can rock.
As a young boy Bernie was faced with a very difficult education schedule reinforced by his mother, a highly accomplished educator in the public education system. His father underlined the good values and guidelines he sought to raise his family after, and his support of his family was unconditional. Bernie entered the ninth grade performing arts high school where his first real taste to compose music surfaced. The appetizer of guitar styles intrigued Bernie so much that he began his regiment of formal training on Classical and Jazz guitar. Practicing came with the small price tag of having to maintain an acceptable GPA in order to practice playing music, and it was here that baseball made a crescendo singing to Bernie’s sweet spot and it was loud and clear. History tells an amazing tale for this former Yankee switch hitter who traded bashing baseballs for striking color notes. The sweet spot is now the spot light and the uniform has been altered from pinstripes to fine design.
A sharp dressed Bernie was hustled onto the center stage of the Iridium to the welcoming fans and some skeptics. Bernie's shyness broke immediately when he strapped on his acoustic and introduced his first song not yet titled and to what he said was a "work in progress." Believe me. If that song was a work in progress and their was more to work on, then it may very well turn out to be one of the finest pieces of music I have heard in a long time and one that will nibble on your ear to your heart's content. It was that good. Bernie continued to play four more songs off the new "Moving Forward" CD with track such as "African Blues" and "Ritmo de Otorio" featuring Gil Parris on guitar and “Stranded On the Bridge” from Bernie’s first album “The Journey Within”, but the night went into extra innings when Bernie played his own heartfelt rendition of "Take Me Out To the Ball Game." Yes, I got chocked up reminiscing of my days in little league and going to games with my dad, and believe me, this was not only the most beautiful rendition of a vintage classic I ever heard, but it was a rendition that I truly believe will be heard and listened to for generations to come.
Bernie was back lined by piano extraordinaire John Colianni, renown percussionist Erik Piza, bassist Jay Leonhart, and Les Paul regular and legend Lou Pallo. Together the talents on stage performed song after song captivating the audience immediately and leaving all doubters that their was not only a future Hall of Famer on stage, but and incredible musical talent whose history books will be written on tablature and sung not in a dust covered book lost on a library shelf. You can squeeze the diamond out of the rock, but you can’t squeeze the rock out from the diamond. The same can be said for this 4-Time World Series Champion and New York Yankee Great. Bernie has astonished the world with the swing of his bat and the strum of his guitar by achieving success in two dreamlike careers that only a miniscule of the world will only virtually experience playing Guitar Hero or RBI Baseball at home on the Play Station. His cleats maybe hung up for now, but the amplifiers are maxed out and Bernie is truly Moving Forward.
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