[Dixielandjazz] Eddie Bert, versatle musician dies at 90--Giacomo Gates writes

[Norman Vickers]

To: Musicians and Jazzfans;  DJML

From:  Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

Vocalist Giacomo Gates, residing and teaching in Connecticut and appearing
at  various national and international gigs, writes re his acquaintance with
Eddie Bert.

Giacomo is longtime friend of the Jazz Society of Pensacola, having appeared
for us on several occasions.  He will also be performing for our 30th annual
Pensacola JazzFest April 7-8,2013.

His latest CD is:  THE REVOLUTION WILL BE JAZZ:The Songs of Gil Scott-Heron.
For more info see his website:  www.giacomogates.com

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From: Giacomo Gates [mailto:giacomogates at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 8:46 AM
To: Norman Vickers
Subject: RE: : RIP Eddie Bert, versatle musician dies at 90

 

Norm...
Eddie Bert...what a guy!
When I returned to the East Coast in 1989, I met Eddie Bert while taking an
arranging class with Bill Finegan. He was a friend of Bill's and there as a
"ringer" to play in the Univ of Bpt big band.
I was able to hang out with both of them and heard great stories....musical,
non-musical, funny...those guys were great human beings.
It was the first time I sang with a big band, and to have Bill playing piano
and Eddie playing trombone was a gas...the rest of the students were college
kids, only a few of them knew what company they were in.
Eddie was on several other gigs that I ended up doing and even did some
dates with him and a rhythm section.  Always a big warm sound, and a very
hip guy, with a warm and funny personality.  He'd usually have his wife with
him, and one could tell they loved each other.   I met Molly seeveral times
too, they were a teriffic pair.
Bill Finegan and Eddie Bert were among the first "heavy musicians" I met,
players with a lot of history, lot of knowledge and willing to share it.
Both warm, witty, bright guys...they are both missed.
With warm memories...
Gates