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Berke hails originally from California where, in addition to being a performing and recording artist, he also taught music in the California Community College System for 20 plus years before relocating to Massachusetts where he is now an Associate Professor at BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC in Boston.
A multi-instrumentalist who plays Baritone & Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Guitar, Bass, Piano and is also a fine vocalist, Berke has performed with Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Temptations, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, Boston Opera Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and San Diego Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded music tracks for the "Fame and Quincy" TV shows along with Sesame Street and Captain Kangaroo (no jive!).
Music partner with Larry Groce during the 70's when he had the #9 hit "Junk Food Junkie" and was Grammy nominated for best children's song for "Pooh for President" (it was fun going to the awards ceremony) with appearances on the Merv Griffin Show, Johnny Carson Show, Don Kirshner's "In Concert" and American Bandstand.
In addition to his duties with "POCKETFULL OF SOUL" he also plays with the Chandler Travis Philharmonic, the Cape Cod Conservatory Jazz Band, and the Brewster Town Band (summers) and is available for private instruction. |