Sonny Berman
Encyclopedia
Saul "Sonny" Berman was an American
jazz
trumpeter.
Berman was born in New Haven, Connecticut
. He began touring at age sixteen and went on to work with Louis Prima
, Harry James
and Benny Goodman
but is perhaps best known for his later work with Woody Herman
. Berman was distinguished by his passionate and innovative soloing and his versatility of tone—ranging from bold and emotional to sweetly muted. He was also known for his sense of humor which often made its way into a playfulness and joyfulness found in his solo work.
Sonny Berman died at the age of 21 in New York City
, reportedly from a drug overdose. He was developing a major reputation as a breakthrough artist at the time of his death. His influence on musicians and following continues to present day.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpeter.
Berman was born in New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
. He began touring at age sixteen and went on to work with Louis Prima
Louis Prima
Louis Prima was a Sicilian American singer, actor, songwriter, and trumpeter. Prima rode the musical trends of his time, starting with his seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band in the 1920s, then successively leading a swing combo in the 1930s, a big band in the 1940s, a Vegas lounge act in the...
, Harry James
Harry James
Henry Haag “Harry” James was a trumpeter who led a jazz swing band during the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 1940s. He was especially known among musicians for his astonishing technical proficiency as well as his superior tone.-Biography:He was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a...
and Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
but is perhaps best known for his later work with Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
. Berman was distinguished by his passionate and innovative soloing and his versatility of tone—ranging from bold and emotional to sweetly muted. He was also known for his sense of humor which often made its way into a playfulness and joyfulness found in his solo work.
Sonny Berman died at the age of 21 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, reportedly from a drug overdose. He was developing a major reputation as a breakthrough artist at the time of his death. His influence on musicians and following continues to present day.
Discography
- Sidewalks of Cuba (with Woody Herman), 1946
- Curbstone Scuffle, 1947
- Woodchopper's Holiday,1946
External links
- [ All Music]
- The Incomplete Sonny Berman