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Kris Berg

Top selling composer /arranger for Belwin Jazz. Artist for Yamaha and Bag End Cabinets. Clinician / educator.

About Me

Kris Berg is a best-selling big band composer and arranger for Belwin Jazz, a Division of Alfred Publishing and is especially know for his funk charts and his love of chickens! He has written charts for many artists, including Kurt Elling, Delfeayo Marsalis and Chris Vadala, for honors bands in Texas, Oklahoma, Montana and Missouri and for colleges and public school bands across the country. His charts have been performed and recorded all over the world. Kris is the author of the popular bass method book, BASS LINES IN MINUTES, published by Hal Leonard and also has big band charts published with Warner Brothers Music, Doug Beach Music, Bakers Jazz & More, and Walrus Music.

Mr. Berg has been the Director of Jazz Studies at Collin College near Dallas for 20 years. At Collin, he teaches jazz classes, directs ensembles and is the founder of both the Collin Jazz Fest and the Texas All-Star Jazz Camp. Under his direction, Collin jazz ensembles have performed numerous times at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, appeared in Nassau, Bahamas and at jazz festivals all over the United States. Kris received his Masters and Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas where he directed jazz ensembles and taught big band arranging.

An award winning bassist, director and educator, Kris has appeared or recorded with the likes of Wayne Bergeron, Kurt Elling, Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine, Delfeayo Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, Bobby Shew, Tom “Bones” Malone, Jimmy Heath, Doc Severinsen, Clark Terry, John Fedchock, Gregg Bissonette, Chris Vadala, Kevin Mahogany, Marvin Stamm, Dennis DiBlasio, Frank Mantooth, Matt Harris, Clay Jenkins, Kim Richmond and many others. Currently active as an artist / clinician for Yamaha Corporation of America, Mr. Berg has appeared at jazz festivals and camps throughout the United States and is endorsed by Bag End Loudspeakers and Walter Woods Amplifiers. He has been selected as guest director for the IAJE Community College All-Star Jazz Band, the Montana, Oklahoma, Maine and Wyoming All-State Jazz Bands, the Texas Collegiate All-State Jazz Ensemble and the Texas Private School All-State Jazz Band.

Kris’ most current project is his newly released CD, “This Time, Last Year”, on the MAMA record label. The CD features some of the outstanding musicians in the Dallas area, Kris’ unique big band writing and arranging, and special guests, Wayne Bergeron, Delfeayo Marsalis, Chris Vadala and Clay Jenkins.