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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBERTONCINI, Gene(b 6 April '37, NYC) Guitarist. Began at age nine, turned pro at 16, played on children's TV show. Studied architecture at Notre Dame U, returned to music. Worked in TV with Merv Griffin, Skitch Henderson; in Metropolitan Opera House orchestra; accompanied singers (Tony Bennett, etc). For a decade he worked each year in a duo with Michael Moore, a classical bassist and crossover musician: the duo is perhaps the most difficult of forms, because the two musicians must be equals and the music must have room for each to breathe as well as support the other. Bertoncini chose the material and wrote the arrangements (often combining classical and pop songs); they played in intimate rooms without much amplification and had the rapport that only those who like to play duets can have. Albums: Bridges and Close Ties on Omnisound, O Grande Amor: A Bossa Nova Collection '86, Strollin' '88 and compilation The Art Of The Duo, all on Stash; Two In Time '89 and Roger Kellaway Meets The Duo '89 on Chiaroscuro. They also play on violinist Johnny Frigo's Debut Of A Legend '94 on Chesky. Moore has made Vol. 9 in a duo series on Concord with pianist Bill Charlap, playing all his solos arco on tunes by composers incl. Duke Ellington, Willard Robison and Gustav Mahler. Bertoncini's other work is no less seductive, on many albums as a sideman as well as Jobim -- Someone To Light Up My Life '96 on Chiaroscuro, accompanied only by percussion. He accompanied vocalist Meredith D'Ambrosio on Sunnyside. |