© Christian Ducasse

“An Experiment In Terror (Tenor)”

There are a few quotes around the internet attributed to Michael Brecker about Jerry Bergonzi. When asked how it feels to be the best jazz saxophonist in the world, Brecker responded “I don’t know, ask Jerry Bergonzi.” Another journalist supposedly asked Brecker if he still practiced daily and, in response he said, “As long as Jerry Bergonzi is around, no tenor player can rest on his laurels.” Whether or not these quotes are accurate is up for debate, but what is true is that Jerry Bergonzi has set the bar for tenor players since his early days with Brubreck.

This DVD, released in May of 2011, gives a brief glimpse of Jerry in the studio with Billy Peterson on bass, who also produces, Joe Pulice on drums, and Peter Schimke on piano. At a little over an hour, the studio performance runs through a few compositions including the development of “Mr. Higgens.” “What’s a beat between friends?”