Bob Berg
American jazz saxophonist known for his work with Miles Davis.
Bob Berg (April 7, 1951 – December 5, 2002) was an American jazz saxophonist. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he began classical piano lessons at age six and picked up the saxophone at thirteen. After studying at the High School of Performing Arts and Juilliard, he left school to tour. Berg’s playing was shaped by John Coltrane’s work from 1964 to 1967. Rooted in hard bop, he performed with Horace Silver from 1973 to 1976 and with Cedar Walton from 1977 to 1983. He gained wider recognition after joining Miles Davis’s band in 1984. Following his departure from Davis in 1987, Berg released several solo albums and frequently performed and recorded in a group co-led with guitarist Mike Stern. On those albums, he blended funk, jazz, and even country music, often playing at the 7th Avenue South club in New York City. He also worked in a quartet with Chick Corea, Steve Gadd, and Eddie Gómez. His tenor saxophone sound combined the influence of rhythm-and-blues players like Junior Walker and Arnett Cobb with the lyricism and soul of Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, and John Coltrane. Berg died in a traffic accident in East Hampton, New York, when a cement truck skidded on ice and hit his car while he and his wife were driving near their home.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1951-04-07
- Birth Place
- Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
- Death Date
- 2002-12-05
- Death Place
- Amagansett, New York, U.S.
- Genre
- Jazz
- Occupation
- Saxophonist
- Past Member Of
- Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Cedar Walton, Mike Stern, Chick Corea
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Berg was born in Brooklyn, New York. He started his musical education at age six studying classical piano and began playing saxophone at thirteen. He studied at the High School of Performing Arts and Juilliard before leaving school to tour. Berg was influenced by the late 1964–1967 period of John Coltrane's music. He played from 1973 to 1976 with Horace Silver and from 1977 to 1983 with Cedar Walton. Berg joined Miles Davis' band in 1984 and left in 1987. After leaving Davis, he released solo albums and performed with guitarist Mike Stern, playing a more accessible style mixing funk, jazz, and country music. He often played at the 7th Avenue South NYC club and worked with Chick Corea, Steve Gadd, and Eddie Gómez in a quartet. Berg's tenor saxophone sound was a synthesis of rhythm and blues players such as Junior Walker and Arnett Cobb with the lyricism of Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, and John Coltrane. Berg was killed in a traffic accident in East Hampton, New York, when a cement truck that had skidded on ice hit his car while he and his wife were driving near his home.
Reader's Guide
Bob Berg's significance lies in his tenure with Miles Davis and his solo work that blended jazz with funk and country. As a sideman, he recorded extensively with Horace Silver, Cedar Walton, and Mike Stern, among others. His playing synthesized R&B influences with the intellectual freedom of post-bop saxophonists. Berg's death in a traffic accident cut short a career that had produced over a dozen solo albums and numerous sideman appearances. His work with Davis in the mid-1980s brought him wider recognition, and his later albums explored accessible styles while maintaining jazz roots. Berg's legacy is preserved through his recordings and his influence on saxophonists who followed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bob Berg?
Bob Berg was an American tenor saxophonist born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 7, 1951. He is best remembered for his hard-bop playing and his tenure in Miles Davis's band during the mid-1980s.
What shaped Bob Berg's sound and style?
Berg's approach was deeply rooted in hard bop, and his phrasing was heavily influenced by John Coltrane's recordings from 1964 through 1967. He studied at the High School of Performing Arts and Juilliard before dropping out to pursue touring.
Which major artists did Bob Berg sit in with?
He played alongside Horace Silver from 1973 to 1976 and Cedar Walton from 1977 to 1983. His most widely noted collaboration came when he joined Miles Davis's ensemble in 1984, a stint that lasted until 1987.
How did Bob Berg get into music?
He started on classical piano at age six and switched to saxophone at thirteen. After formal training at Juilliard, he abandoned school to hit the road and learn the craft through live performance.
When and where did Bob Berg pass away?
Berg died on December 5, 2002, in East Hampton, New York, at the age of 51. He left behind a catalog of solo albums and a reputation as one of the most compelling tenor voices in post-Coltrane hard bop.
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