Friday, May 30, 2014

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE"- CHAPTER 131 - CAREER OF CHARLIE BERTINI & 30- YEARS OF THE APPLEJAZZ FESTIVAL

This Cortland, NY native started playing trumpet at age nine. During his youth Charlie was active in marching bands, concert bands, school chorus and even conducting music classes. Bertini started his own dance band while still in ninth grade. At age 19, he joined the Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus Orchestra touring for six years first as trumpeter and then musical director..

Next performances with Al Martino, Patti Page, Mel Torme, Broadway Shows, Dixieland Clubs and live shows in Orlando at both Walt Disney World and Universal Studio. Then came a four-year hitch at the Circus World Theme Park and a year as musical director for Ringling Brothers & Barnum Bailey Circus.

Always in demand as a world-class trumpeter Charlie Bertini has backed up Paul Anka, Bert Bacharach, Ray Charles & Johnny Mathis. He has appeared on network television specials and several music specials aired by PBS.

Charlie Bertini's AppleJazz Band history dates back to a jam session in 1984. His 1990's AppleJazz Band included the talents of John Kane, Larry Arlotta, Dave Hanlon, Dick Chave, Dave Gannett to name a few. His 1995 AppleJazz concert was nominated for a Cable Ace Award for "Best Music Program".

Bertini has released five solo Cd's "Apple Sass" (1995), "Jewels", "Acid Dixie" (recorded live at AppleJazz Festival held at Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York, NY), "Out of the Season" and "Charlie Bertini's AppleJazz Band-Classic Performances". Bertini also recorded two Christmas Cd's " Christmas Cookies" and "Fresh Batch" (1998). If this isn't enough Charlie has recorded 12 albums with Bill Allred's Class Jazz Band. During his amazing career, Bertini has performed in 45 states, China and Europe. Although residing in Florida and performing in jazz trios, Charlie still finds times to serve  executive director of the AppleJazz Festival held through year 2014 in Central New York.

His July 4, 2005 Apple Jazz Festival again at Dwyer Park Pavilion featured a lineup of Ronnie Leigh, Ronnie France, Dave Hanlon, Terry Meyers, Dick Chave, Jeff Phillips, John Allred and Bertini.  In June 2006 Bertini released the two-disc set "Classic Performances" from his 14th through 16th annual summer AppleJazz concerts (1997-99).  This unique three-year Cd package contains performances from some of CNY greatest musical talents including- Joe Whiting, John Kane, David "Rock" Feinstein, and Loren Barrigar.

The years flew by AppleJazz 25 featured Peter Dean (Dean Brothers) along with mainstays Doyle, Hanlon, Kane, France, Whiting, Bertini and others. Meanwhile AppleJazz Records release Cds by Lauren Jessica Bertini " Can You Hear It" (2009), "Charlie Bertini- "Triology" & "Out of Season" plus the great Ronnie Leigh's first solo Cd Live at AppleJazz (2012).

Charlie also returned to Central New York taking the stage in a salute to a friend Ronnie James Dio during Cortland's "Stand Up and Shout" Dio Tribute Concert & Benefit on July 10, 2011.

After a year layoff Charlie Bertini announced that he would hold his 30th and final AppleJazz Festival on May 31, 2014 at Dwyer Memorial Park. Once again the CNY greats responded to Bertini's invitation to play- Ronnie Leigh, Joe Whiting, Mark Doyle, Dave Hanlon, Ronnie France, Jeff Phillips, John Allred, Terry Meyers, & Lauren- Jessica Bertini. Other music industry notables in attendance included Frank Malfitano, Holly Gregg, "Rock" Feinstein, Laura Brazak & Ron Wray. A great tribute to a great man- Charlie Bertini..

In what I would call a great historic event it was announced by Frank Malfitano that the AppleJazz band would reunite in the summer of 2015 to perform at Syracuse's  M&T Jazz Festival.

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