Eddie Bert

Music career

Edward Joseph Bertolatus was born in Yonkers, New York. His first job as a musician came in 1940 when he joined the Sam Donahue Orchestra. He later joined Red Norvo in 1941. He performed continuously with leading musicians including Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Tito Puente, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Illinois Jacquet, Woody Herman, and Charlie Barnet.

He is featured on hundreds of recordings and recorded extensively as a leader on various labels including Savoy Records, Blue Note, Trans-World, Jazztone, and Discovery Records. Bert continued to play sold-out shows until his death at the age of 90 on September 27, 2012 in Danbury, Connecticut.

Bert recorded and performed with many bands and orchestras. He spent the most time with Benny Goodman's Orchestra (1958–86), Charles Mingus (1955–74), The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra (1968–72), New York Jazz Repertory Company (1973–78), The American Jazz Orchestra (1986–92), Loren Schoenberg Orchestra (1986–2001), and Walt Levinsky's Great American Swing Orchestra (1987–95).

Bert received a degree and a teaching license from the Manhattan School of Music (1957). He taught at Essex College, University of Bridgeport, and Western Connecticut State University.

His photography can be seen on Jazz Giants, To Bird with Love (Chan Parker and F. Pandras), and The Band that Never Was (Spotlight Records, album cover and liner notes).

Honors

As leader

As sideman

With Stan Kenton

With Charles Mingus

With Thelonious Monk

With others

Broadway shows and movies