Eddie Bert


Edward Joseph Bertolatus, also known as Eddie Bert, was an American jazz trombonist.

Music career

He was born in Yonkers, New York, United States. Bert received a degree and a teaching license from the Manhattan School of Music. He taught at Essex College, University of Bridgeport, and Western Connecticut State University.
Bert performed and recorded with many bands and orchestras. He spent the most time with Benny Goodman's Orchestra, Charles Mingus, The [Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra], New York Jazz Repertory Company, The American Jazz Orchestra, Loren Schoenberg Orchestra, and Walt Levinsky's Great American Swing Orchestra.
Bert is featured on hundreds of recordings and recorded extensively as a leader on various labels including Savoy, 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.
His photography can be seen on Jazz Giants, To Bird with Love, and The Band that Never Was.

Honors

  • Musician of the Year, Metronome magazine, 1955
  • Grammy for Musician of the Year, 1959
  • Honored at Town Hall, New York City, May 16, 2002
  • Honored at Jazz at the Kennedy Center with Billy Taylor, May 6, 2002
  • Rugers University Jazz Hall of Fame, 2009

    Discography

As leader

With Chris Connor
With Urbie Green
  • The Persuasive Trombone of Urbie Green
  • 21 Trombones
  • 21 Trombones Rock & Blues & Jazz Vol. Two
  • The Message
With Thad Jones & Mel Lewis
  • Central Park North
  • Consummation
  • Suite for Pops
  • Thad Jones & Mel Lewis
  • Thad Jones & Mel Lewis
  • Paris 1969 Vol. 1
  • Basle 1969
  • The Groove Merchant
With Stan Kenton
With Elliot Lawrence
  • Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements
  • Plays Tiny Kahn and Johnny Mandel Arrangements
  • Swinging at the Steel Pier
  • Big Band Modern
With Charles Mingus
With Thelonious Monk
With Red Norvo
With Chico O'Farrill
With Buddy Rich
  • Richcraft
  • The Rich Rebellion
  • Both Sides
  • Buddy Rich
With Sal Salvador
With Loren Schoenberg
  • Time Waits for No One
  • Solid Ground
  • Just A-Settin' and A-Rockin
  • Out of This World
With Bobby Short
  • Celebrating 30 Years at the Cafe Carlyle
  • How's Your Romance?
  • You're the Top
With others