Draft:Shelly Berger Bassist and Arranger

Sheldon Berger (born February 22, 1955) is a Canadian arranger, composer, producer, jazz bassist and educator known for his versatile musical contributions across various genres.

Early Life and career

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Shelly Berger relocated to Los Angelas California in 1979 to study jazz arranging at the Dick Grove School of Music. During his nine years in LA, he established himself as a multifaceted musician. His musical journey included recording and/or touring with illustrious jazz figures such as Louis Bellson, Kenny Burrell, Red Norvo, Don Menza, Matt Catingub, Joanie Sommers and Mavis Rivers. He served as the Musical Director for Anita O'Day from 1981-1984, showcasing his exceptional leadership and arranging skills.

Contributions to Contemporary Entertainment

Upon his return to Toronto in 1989, Shelly continued an active jazz career, collaborating with renowned artists such as Diana Krall, Ernestine Anderson, Larry Goldings, Ruby Braff, Mark Murphy, Joanne Brackeen, Herb Ellis, Lew Tabakin, Roger Kellaway as well as producing and releasing 5 CDs (see Discography below).

Beyond the realm of jazz, Berger's talents extend into contemporary entertainment. He has served as an arranger-producer for notable acts like Sharon, Lois & Bram, Quartetto Gelato, and Matt Dusk. His production, arrangement, and recording work span a wide array of pop acts including Loreena McKennitt, Chaka Khan, Don Ross, Emilie-Claire Barlow, and David Clayton-Thomas.

Berger's creative expertise also graced the broadcast field, where he arranged and produced music for television series such as "The Elephant Show" and "Sesame Street," along with themes for TSN Sportsbreak and TSN Toronto Blue Jays baseball broadcasts.

Shelly Berger's prowess extends to orchestral and symphonic realms. He has written arrangements for esteemed orchestras including The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Metropole Orckest, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Portland Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Symphony Orchestra, and many more.

Notable Education, Awards, and Productions

Berger's dedication to his craft is underscored by his musical training and awards. In addition to his studies under Dick Grove, he received training under the guidance of renowned mentors such as Michael Colgrass (Composition), Rick Wilkins (Arranging), and Mundell Lowe (Film Scoring )

Berger's contributions to teaching include sharing his expertise with the next generation of musicians - he founded and ran The Shelly Berger Music School from 2001-2005, and currently teaches arranging, composing, and leads the big band in Humber College Jazz program.

Awards

• (2018) “JUNO NOMINEE” – “Old School Yule!” Matt Dusk (CD) – Arranger
• (2017) “JUNO NOMINEE” – “Quiet Nights” Matt Dusk (CD) – Arranger & Producer
• (2016) “JUNO WINNER” –  “Jazz Vocal Recording” “ – ” Clear Day “- with the METROPOLE ORKEST conducted by JULES BUCKLEY” – Emilie- Claire Barlow – (CD) – Composer/Arranger
• (2014 ) “JUNO NOMINEE” – My Funny Valentine – The Chet Baker Songbook” Matt Dusk (CD) – Arranger & Producer
• (2013) ” INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS”  – Rush Mode- The song Rush Mode was NOMINATED for “Best Jazz Song” and “The Last Of The Summer Days” for best “Jazz Song With Vocals” Mike Field (CD) – Producer
• (1998) ” JUNO NOMINEE”  – “As If ” Ted Quinlan  (CD)  – Producer
• (1991) “JUNO NOMINEE”  –  “A To Z” Sharon, Lois & Bram (CD) – Arranger
• (1984) “GRAMMY NOMINEE” –  “Hi Tech Big Band” “Matt Cattingub Big Band” (CD)  – Bass
• (1981) “JUNO  NOMINEE”  –  “Swinging and Singing”  Sharon, Lois & Bram (CD)   – Arranger
• (1980) “JUNO WINNER” –  “Smorgasboard”  Sharon, Lois & Bram (CD)  – Arranger

Discography

As producer/composer/co-composer

Year recorded	Title	Label	Personnel/Notes
1990	Solana	Ballaphon Records	Produced by Shelly Berger and George Koller Engineered by Roger Slemin Assistant engineer – Ken Chui Recorded at Wellesley Sound Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Albert Von Seggern – Sax and Flute John Goldsmith – Piano Brian Katz – Guitar Bob Becker – Drums, Percussion & Tabla George Koller – Bass, Cello & Sitar Shelly Berger – Bass, Piano, Synth
1995	Shelly Berger	Basil Records	Produced by Shelly Berger Engineered by Linda Duemo and Bob Doidge Mixed by Shelly Berger and Barry Romberg Mastered by David Beckford Recorded and mixed at Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Ernie Tollar – Sax & Flute Les Portelli – Piano Ted Quinlan – Guitar Barry Romberg – Drums Nancy Walker – Synth Shelly Berger – Bass
2006	GOT To! Live 1978-1979	Basil Records	Produced by Shelly Berger Recorded at Cafe Soho -Toronto, Ontario, Canada -1978/79 Edited by Jeff Riches and Shelly Berger Mastered by Andy Krehm for Silverbirch Productions TRUMPETS: Rick Waychesko, Wayne Baker, John McLeod, Wilf Sharp, Rick Tait, Herbie Koffman, Mike Lucas, Dave Dunlop, Larry Kramer, Bram Smith TROMBONES: Phil Gray, Bill Beecroft, Pete Coulman, Cam Walters, Terry Lukiski, Susan Tretheway, Gord Myers, Don Sweet, Steve Wiloby, Bil Cross, Alex Vorous, Dave McMurdo SAXOPHONES, CLARINETS AND FLUTES: Bob Brough, John Johnson, Alex Dean, Chris Chaley, Anthony Terpstra, Del Dako, Dave Beecroft, Jeff Goodspeed, Don Englert, Earl Seymour, Jane Fair, Simon Wallace, Ed Boygone RHYTHM SECTION: Piano– Mark Eisenman & Brian Wray; Guitar– Lorne Lofsky & Peter Lietch; Drums– Joe Bendza – Anthony Terpstra, & Anil Sharma; Percussion – Bill Usher, Michael Craydon, Mike Beck, Warren Viner; Bass – Shelly Berger
2006	Look Up	Shelly Berger	Produced by Shelly Berger Engineer – Jason Steadman, Edited and mixed – Jeff Riches and Shelly Berger Recorded at Lydian Sound Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Hugh Marsh – electric violin Mike Murley – sax Geoff Young – guitar Barry Romberg – drums & percussion Ted Warren – drums Greg Dedenus – piano John Mahon – percussion Waleed Abdulhamid – percussion/vocals/mouth sounds Wendy Solomon – cello Ernie Tollar – sax Ted Quinlan – guitar Les Portelli – piano Jeff Riches – electronic keyboards Shelly Berger – acoustic & clevinger bass, electronic keyboards "Shelly Berger's compositions are lucid and complex with sophistication and originality". Eli Eisenberg, WholeNote Magazine, Oct 2006
2017	Blood Moon	Mack Avenue	Arranged By, Producer – Shelly Berger, Co-producer – Jeff Riches Recorded By, Mixed By – Jeremy Darby Mastered By – Paul Novotny Engineer [Assistant] – Julian Decorte Recorded At – The Canterbury Music Company Clarinet – Dave Bennett Bass – Jim Vivian Drums – Peter Siers Guitar – Reg Schwager Percussion – Davide Direnzo Piano – Dave Restivo Reached No. 24 on the Billboard Jazz charts in 2018