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Barry Bergstrom

Born and raised in Washington, Oregon and Montana, Barry has lived in Oakland, California and Las Vegas, Nevada,with extended stays in New York and Los Angeles. He has performed in every major city of the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, The West Indies and Canada, many in Europe, Asia and South America and currently divides his time between New York, Los Angeles, numerous tours and his home in Washington.

Barry began playing the clarinet in 5th grade, encouraged by his parents to play both "Classical" music and the popular "Standards" that they recalled from their youth. "It's The Talk Of The Town", "Satin Doll" and the "Tennesee Waltz" were some of the first tunes he learned. At the age of 16, Barry "discovered" jazz, when he attended a clinic and concert by The Cannonball Adderley Quintet. The warmth exuded by Julian "Cannonball" Adderley left a lasting effect on the young man, both as a musician and as a human being. In that same year Barry won a Mid-Columbia Symphony Young Artist Award, and started to play alto saxophone, flute and upright bass. The five years after high school were eventful, working many different jobs, hitchhiking and riding freight trains.

At 23 years of age Barry decided to resume playing the woodwind instruments and for the first time undertook the serious study of the saxophone. His musical career has been climbing steadily upward ever since. As a Jazz musician he has performed with some of the greats including the big bands of Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey and Harry James. He has shared the stage with James Moody, Bill Tole, Cedar Walton, Pete Christlieb, Steve Miller, Randy Brecker, James Carter, Sonny Russo, Bob Hope, Carl Fontana, Buddy Montgomery, Howard Alden, Peter Washington, Lewis Nash and numerous other great jazz artists. In addition he has performed with numerous "R&B" acts, including the Temptations, the Coasters and the Drifters. His classical saxophone performances include Eugene Bozza's "Aria", Paul Creston's "Sonata For Alto Saxophone", Glazounov's "Concerto For Alto Saxophone" and he is currently preparing Jacque Ibert's "Concertino Da Camera" (written for alto saxophone in 1935). Clarinet performances include Mozart's "Concerto" and Weber's "Concertino". Flute performances have been in a jazz context only, where he lists his main influence as Roland Kirk. Barry has studied, albeit briefly, with: Don McMaster, Greg Metcalf, and received tips and encouragement from Dave Liebman, James Moody, and James Carter.

Saxophone influences include: Willie Smith, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Charlie Parker, Marcel Mule', Sigurd Rascher, Ike Quebec, Jim Pepper, Sonny Rollins, Don Byas, Coleman Hawkins, Gene Ammons, Art Pepper, Roland Kirk, Dave Liebman, et. al.

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