Ginger & Scott, Ginger Berglund & Scott Whitfield

Artist Information

Biography

What sets us apart? Talent nurtured to musical equivalency of best chocolate and finest wine served with fireworks...plus experience in spades. Wm. Shakespeare said that "All things by season seasoned are...to their right praise and true perfection". We've worked musical lifetimes to find each other and are the real seasoned and swingin' deal!
Please see www.officialgingerandscott.com re:new CD "Dreamsville".
See www.ScottWhitfield.com, and gingerberglund.com for details about each performer's background as solo artists. Entire bios noted below also.

Scott Whitfield (trombonist, composer, arranger, and vocalist) is rapidly gaining international recognition for his work with contemporary big bands, including the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra and the new edition of Johnny Griffin’s Big Soul Band, as well as his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestras (East AND West). In addition to Whitfield’s own recordings, his compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by such artists as Diva, Maurice Hines, The Pied Pipers, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, and Pete Petersen’s 23-strong Collection Jazz Orchestra. The discography of Scott Whitfield includes 7 recordings as leader and more than 50 recordings with other artists.

A frequent clinician and guest artist for Bach Stradivarius trombones, Whitfield has appeared throughout the world, from Australia to Zurich, sharing his expertise on trombone technique, improvisation, composition, arranging, and jazz history. His “The J.J. Johnson Collection” (published by Hal Leonard) has inspired many trombonists, young and old.

Upon settling in New York in 1993, Scott became a member of the Nat Adderley Sextet, which also included Jimmy Cobb, Walter Booker, Vincent Herring and Rob Bargad. The group’s engagements at Sweet Basil led to fruitful associations with Nnenna Freelon, Frank Wess, and Lionel Hampton, among others.

From 1998 to 2002, Whitfield served on the jazz faculty at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, teaching trombone, composition and arranging, and improvisation, while also coordinating the school’s combo program. During this period, one of Scott’s composition students placed third in a worldwide field of contestants in the Thad Jones International Jazz Composition Competition.

The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra (first founded while Scott was pursuing his Master’s degree at North Texas State University) now has TWO incarnations: the SWJO East, based in New York; and the SWJO West, based in Whitfield’s new home of Los Angeles. Both of these aggregations feature some of the top players in the business. Plans are in the works for a large project featuring the combined, bi-coastal orchestra.

For more than a year, the Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra East was in residence at New York’s Birdland, the Jazz Corner of the World, culminating in the exciting “Live at Birdland” CD, released in April 2004 on Summit Records. “The Minute Game,” featuring the SWJO West, was released in February 2005, and features Whitfield’s groundbreaking composition “Hiccups.” More recently, “Diamonds For Nat,” released in February 2006, is a special 75th Birthday tribute to Scott’s mentor, the late Nat Adderley, featuring the SWJO East once again. The CD skyrocketed to number FIVE in jazz radio airplay in its THIRD WEEK!

Although Scott now makes his home in Los Angeles, he continues to commute to New York for appearances. His writing has been compared to that of some of his biggest influences, including Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Bill Holman, Rob McConnell, Bob Florence, and Ernie Wilkins.

Scott Whitfield (trombonist, composer, arranger, and vocalist) is rapidly gaining international recognition for his work with contemporary big bands, including the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra and the new edition of Johnny Griffin’s Big Soul Band, as well as his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestras (East AND West). In addition to Whitfield’s own recordings, his compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by such artists as Diva, Maurice Hines, The Pied Pipers, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, and Pete Petersen’s 23-strong Collection Jazz Orchestra. The discography of Scott Whitfield includes 7 recordings as leader and more than 50 recordings with other artists.

A frequent clinician and guest artist for Bach Stradivarius trombones, Whitfield has appeared throughout the world, from Australia to Zurich, sharing his expertise on trombone technique, improvisation, composition, arranging, and jazz history. His “The J.J. Johnson Collection” (published by Hal Leonard) has inspired many trombonists, young and old.

Upon settling in New York in 1993, Scott became a member of the Nat Adderley Sextet, which also included Jimmy Cobb, Walter Booker, Vincent Herring and Rob Bargad. The group’s engagements at Sweet Basil led to fruitful associations with Nnenna Freelon, Frank Wess, and Lionel Hampton, among others.

From 1998 to 2002, Whitfield served on the jazz faculty at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, teaching trombone, composition and arranging, and improvisation, while also coordinating the school’s combo program. During this period, one of Scott’s composition students placed third in a worldwide field of contestants in the Thad Jones International Jazz Composition Competition.

The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra (first founded while Scott was pursuing his Master’s degree at North Texas State University) now has TWO incarnations: the SWJO East, based in New York; and the SWJO West, based in Whitfield’s new home of Los Angeles. Both of these aggregations feature some of the top players in the business. Plans are in the works for a large project featuring the combined, bi-coastal orchestra.

For more than a year, the Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra East was in residence at New York’s Birdland, the Jazz Corner of the World, culminating in the exciting “Live at Birdland” CD, released in April 2004 on Summit Records. “The Minute Game,” featuring the SWJO West, was released in February 2005, and features Whitfield’s groundbreaking composition “Hiccups.” More recently, “Diamonds For Nat,” released in February 2006, is a special 75th Birthday tribute to Scott’s mentor, the late Nat Adderley, featuring the SWJO East once again. The CD skyrocketed to number FIVE in jazz radio airplay in its THIRD WEEK!

Although Scott now makes his home in Los Angeles, he continues to commute to New York for appearances. His writing has been compared to that of some of his biggest influences, including Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Bill Holman, Rob McConnell, Bob Florence, and Ernie Wilkins.

Jazz gem Ginger Berglund has been crafting a multi-faceted career since her earliest days as cornerstone of her church's children's choir. Ginger has sung with Kenny Rankin, recorded with Steve Allen and pianist Paul Smith, and worked with Brazilian jazz vocal great Flora Purim and premier percussionist Airto Moreira. She is a featured singer with the Jumpin' Joz swing 'n jive band, Pasadena Pops Big Band, Bruce Eskovitz quartet, and the Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra. Whenever she's in town, Ginger stars with the Tracy Wells Big Band at Alpine Village in Torrance, CA every second Monday of every month.

In addition to her gigging life, Ginger's talents have led her to have been concurrently involved in other interesting business endeavors such as for Jane Fonda's Workout and the UCSD's new Rady School of Management. While at UCLA's Anderson School of Business, her work with international schools of business afforded her opportunities to sing in many cities around the world. She's worked in commercials (acting and singing), and has her image permanently etched into the artwork of the Pasadena Gold Line, Lake Metro station west. An avid rider herself, she says "Go Gold!"

Ginger was admitted to the Screen Actor's Guild for her work in the comedy movie "Kiss My Grits." She also appeared in the Martin Scorsese film "The King of Comedy" with Jerry Lewis and Tony Randall. Along the way Ginger has worked and sung with one jazz great after another: Jennifer Leitham, Danny Gottlieb, Mark Egan, Kei Akagi, Roy McCurdy, Shelley Berg, and Joe Farrell. Ginger's next CD (release 1/08) with the great trombonist, Scott Whitfield, will also feature her work with the Grammy award winning pianist and arranger, Bob Florence.

Ginger got her first break at 15, debuting with Pasadena's favorite choral director, Jim Coday, and singing with his group Vanity Fair at Ronald Reagan's Gubernatorial Inaugural Ball. Other dates quickly followed, including performances at the Dodger Stadium Fourth of July Family Show and Mitzi Gaynor's Christmas Show at LA's Shrine Auditorium.

Instrumentation

Ginger Berglund - vocals, percussion
Scott Whitfield - trombone and vocals
Jennifer Leitham, bassist, is our first pick. Add piano (Corey Allen) and drums (Kendall Kay) for bare minimum quintet. We can concertize as a duo with pickup rhythm trios of course, but prefer to bring our dream team sextet (add Roger Neumann, reeds). We have arrangements available for big band and symphony orchestras too.

Discography

New CD "Dreamsville" duo vocal album. Artios Group label. Jan. 08 on cdbaby.com, iTunes, etc.
Ginger:
Haven't We Met, 4/01 - cdbaby.com, iTunes, etc.
Swing Is Here, 9/05 - Tracy Wells Big Band, cdbaby.com
Scott:
Speaking Of Love, 1/07 - Summit Records
Live At Charlie O's, 5tet, 8/06 - Summit
Diamonds For Nat, 2/06 - Summit
The Minute Game, 2/05 - Summit
Live At Birdland, Jazz Orchestra East, 3/04 - Summit
Hiding In Plain Sight, 2001 - Amosaya
To Be There, 1997 - Amosaya

Official Website

http://www.OfficialGingerandScott.com

Links

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Audio

• Pardon Me While I Fall In Love
  Listen   Download
• Come To Me
  Listen   Download
• Lorelei
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Pardon Me While I Fall In Love
• Come To Me
• Lorelei

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Into The Night: Ginger Does Jazz [+ Show ]
  

  ....“Berglund’s soprano voice glides on rhythms and over notes like some celestial being through the.......“Berglund’s soprano voice glides on rhythms and over notes like some celestial being through the galaxy. She can also belt it out and attack a scat solo with conviction. She has a natural and candid approach to jazz, defying linear structure without just blowing a series of riffs. One of her fortes is volcalese, setting lyrics to instrumental numbers and solos, and she’s penned some clever words for “Billie’s Bounce” and “Amazonas”. Berglund moves quite easily between vocal register worlds: in the upper realm her sound is a smooth blend of soprano sax and flute.” Debbie Beyer, Pasadena Weekly

• US Army Band [+ Show ]
  

  "Scott Whitfield's incredible artistry at the 2007 Eastern Trombone Workshop had everyone in attenda..."Scott Whitfield's incredible artistry at the 2007 Eastern Trombone Workshop had everyone in attendance spellbound."
  -Harry Watters, ETW Jazz Coordinator
  

• Dave Frishberg
  

  Yo Scott-- I enjoyed your playing and singing very much.

• Speaking of Love album review [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.jazzreview.com/cd/review-18545.html Featured Artist: Scott Whitfield CD Title: Spe...http://www.jazzreview.com/cd/review-18545.html
  
  Featured Artist: Scott Whitfield
  
  CD Title: Speaking of Love...
  Year: 2007
  Record Label: Summit Records
  Style: Jazz Vocals
  Musicians: Scott Whitfield (vocals, trombone), Ted Kooshian (piano), Mary Ann McSweeney (bass), Williard Dyson (drums), Terry Clarke (drums - #2, #6, #9, #14), The Manhattan Vocal Project – Pete McGuinness (lead vocal, trombone), Joe Elefante (vocal, alto saxophone), Scott Whitfield (vocal, trombone), Kevin Osborne (vocal, trombone); Special Guests - Cheryl Bentyne (vocals), Marvin Stamm (trumpet, flugelhorn), Scott Robinson (tenor and bass saxophone, bass flute), Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), Memo Acevedo (percussion)
  Review: Trombonist and bandleader Scott Whitfield pares things down a bit. Instead of fronting one of his two orchestras (The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra East based in New York and The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra West based in Los Angeles, CA,) he’s with his quintet and exercises his vocal chords and lays down lush and lovely instrumental and vocal arrangements for his latest release on Summit Records, Speaking of Love… This CD is for lovers with a sweet tooth.
  
  Whitfield reaches back to a genre that seems to tempt the stodgiest of us to feel warmth smack dab in the center of our hearts. Along with love song standards, he pens his own, like his rompish “I’m a Romantic Sap” (featuring Marvin Stamm on muted trumpet and Scott Robinson on tenor saxophone,) in which he sings and plays, and the crooner “Two People” (with the Manhattan Vocal Project.) “Only At Lonely Times” is given a blushed Brazilian tinge with guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and percussionist Memo Acevedo. Scott Robinson’s bass flute is just audible above the lilting rhythm formed by Acevedo and drummer Terry Clarke. This composition is by pianist Rodgers Grant, who’s worked with, among other jazz artists, percussionists Mongo Santamaria and T.S. Monk. Manhattan Transfer member Cheryl Bentyne is in perfect harmony with Whitfield on “Sugar” and “Adagio in Pearl,” fashioned from a melody by pianist Bill Evans (also known as “Bill’s Hit Tune.”)
  
  Whitfield seems to be playing his hand as of late, releasing Live at Charlie O's, Diamonds for Nat, and The Minute Game since 2005 (all on Summit Records.) It’s an exercise in expression and Whitfield seems to have the resources and energy to put it all out there. Speaking of Love… is just another card out of the deck. And this time it's the Queen of Hearts….
  Chocolates anyone?
  Tracks: A Beautiful Friendship, Sugar, Come to Me, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, I’m a Romantic Sap, Adagio in Pearl, Two People, It’s You!, Only at Lonely Times, I Love You, What Went Wrong?, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, When I Fall in Love, All Of You
  Record Label Website: http://www.summitrecords.com
  Artist's Website: http://www.scottwhitfield.com
  Reviewed by: Cheryl K. Symister-Masterson
  

• Arthur Hamilton (composer of "Cry Me A River" [+ Show ]
  

  Hi Ginger After hearing your album, I am really looking forward to hearing what you and Scott wi...Hi Ginger
  
  After hearing your album, I am really
  looking forward to hearing what you and Scott will do with some of my songs. Your voice is fresh and true and intimate, and you dive deeply
  into the lyric of each song. And the scatting is great. Can't wait to hear more.

• Scott's "Live At Charlie O's" album review [+ Show ]
  

  CD Title: Live At Charlie O's Year: 2006 Record Label: Summit Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic ...CD Title: Live At Charlie O's
  Year: 2006
  Record Label: Summit
  Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic
  
  Musicians: Scott Whitfield (trombone, vocal), Roger Neumann (tenor and soprano saxophone, flute), John Rangel (piano), Bob Florence (piano), Jennifer Leitham (bass), Kendall Kay (drums)
  
  Review:
  Trombone is an instrument, in both jazz and classical worlds, that usually takes the role of the ugly cousin – sure, you invite the player to the party because it’s family, but people would rather sit and stare at the trumpet and saxophonists. This is not to say the history of trombone doesn’t have practitioners who startle and amaze. One only need recall the great recordings of J. J. Johnson, Bill Watrous and Urbie Green, among many more, for proof of the trombone’s inherent artful nature. The hard truth is, however, jazz aficionados would be hard pressed to remember the last time they purchased music led by a trombonist.
  
  So it is with great regret many will pass up masterful and totally underappreciated trombonist Scott Whitfield’s newest CD, Live At Charlie O’s. Whitfield plays with the fire, exuberance, and at times sentimentality, of the best musicians on any instrument. His resume includes time with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, Johnny Griffin's Big Soul Band and the Manhattan Vocal Project, in addition to his own work as a leader. Also noted as an accomplished arranger, Whitfield’s charts have been performed and recorded by groups such as Diva, Maurice Hines and Pete Petersen's Collection Jazz Orchestra. Pretty darn solid company.
  
  While he’s more well-known for his big band work, on this disc Whitfield leads a quintet in some of the most hard-swinging music you’re ever likely to come across. From the tight positively hard-edged energy of “Postage Due,” to the silky ballad “A Message From The Captain,” to the bittersweet medium “Sunset Dreams,” Whitfield plays with an abundance of technique that serves to embellish rather than get in the way of his phrases and musical statements. Brilliantly flashy in the high register, and full bodied of tone in the low, this recording should open a lot of ears to his remarkable skill. As an added bonus, his scat singing may be the best out there since the passing of Mel Torme.
  
  Standing alongside Whitfield are multi-reedist Roger Neumann, bassist Jennifer Leitham and drummer Kendall Kay. Taking turns on piano are John Rangel and Bob Florence. Together, the accompanying unit’s dexterity is free-flowing, with moments of great soloistic support. Leitham’s solo on “Sunset Dreams” is so melodic it’s hard to wonder why more bass-clef artists don’t take her lead in approaching their instruments in the same smoothly connected manner. John Rangel’s piano solo on “You Go To My Head” is also a highlight never more aptly proving the “less is more” mantra. All told, a great recording worthy of repeated listening.
  
  Tracks: Postage Due, Blue Daniel, A Message From The Captain, Let's Get Lost, Sunset Dreams, Spring's Kiss, You Go To My Head and Bye Bye Blues
  
  Record Label Website: http://www.summitrecords.com/
  
  Artist's Website: http://www.scottwhitfield.com/
  
  Reviewed by: Thomas R. Erdmann
  

Setlist

"Man, if you gotta ask, you'll never know".
Louis Armstrong

...oh, ok...jazz standards and originals, plus commissions upon request. "Arrangements Are Us" .On A Slow Boat To China, All My Tomorrows, Wheelers and Dealers, But For Now, Ornithology...don't forget the originals noted in the media files section...The Best Thing For You, Dancing In The Dark, You Inspire Me, Corcovado, Dreamsville,
Let's Get Lost, Whatever Happened To Romance?, I'm A Romantic Sap (another original). Requests? Yeah, sure! We know them all...

Basic Requirements

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