Karl Berger & Kirk Knuffke - Heart is a Melody

"The 87-year-old Karl Berger is one of the most important personalities in modern jazz, period!". These are the words of the great Kirk Knuffke - a top-shelf creative cornetist based in New York City, and the initiator of an incredible multi-generational meeting-of-the-minds on this incredible new recording. Knuffke doesn’t mince his words and goes on to call Berger the father of the vibraphone in modern music. Karl Berger is nothing short of a genius - a master musician who also shines as a pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, and inspiring teacher with a long and wildly fascinating career that intersects with just about every major player throughout the history of avant-garde jazz.

The musical material on HEART IS A MELODY is a blend of compositions written by some major personalities, players, and friends from throughout Karl's life, mixed with some of Karl's own music and some of Kirk's. Everything is connected to Berger's fantastic career and incredible story.

Here are four musicians from three generations, with the 87-year-old Karl Berger acting as the central catalyst. He welcomes the listener into the space of possibilities through his playing, compositions, and deep empathy. A true genius. Kirk, Jay, Matt, and Maestro Berger are a gift.