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Biography of Bernie Bierman
BERNARD BIERMAN was born in New York City on August 26, 1908. He went through the public school system, pre-law at NYU and Brooklyn Law School. In 1930, he passed the bar and practiced law from 1931 to 1942. He served in the US Army from 1942 to 1945.
Just before entering the service, Bernie was working on a children’s operetta with two young men named Jack Manus and Al Sells. It was completed by the time Bernie was discharged, and was sold and recorded. Titled “The Love of Two Cabbages,” it did quite well, and Bernie and Jack Manus brought it to publishers Shapiro and Bernstein, who were sufficiently impressed to sign them as staff writers. In the 3 years that followed, over 60 of their songs were recorded by Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Harry James, Guy Lombardo, Sammy Kaye, Xavier Cougat and many others. “Midnight Masquerade” had 11 different recordings and was number 3 on the “Hit Parade,” competing with “Because of You.”
In 1952, his successful musical career ended, so he could continue the painting & decorating business left to him. In 1986, at the urging of his wife, he returned to his first love - words and music, becoming friendly with the “Incomparable” Hildegarde, who on her 80th birthday, sang “Starting Tomorrow” at Carnegie Hall with Mark Coffin, which Bernie had written for them. He also wrote “The Other Half of Me,” which she sang at The Cabaret Convention at Town Hall. Bernie has released six CDs, the latest of which, Discoveries, features songs he found while rummaging through his files and had never been recorded. Michelle Pirret made her musical debut on Bernie’s CD, Somewhere in the World. Discoveries features Marieann Meringolo, Marty Silver, Steve Ross, Michelle Pirret and Joseph Bachana.
Bernie is a member of ASCAP, Dramatist League, Society of Singers, MAC and Brooklyn Law School Alumni. In 2004, he was honored by Back Stage Magazine with a Bistro Award for “Lifetime Achievement in the Field of American Popular Songs”, along with Les Paul & Ruth Brown. In 2005, Bernie was made an honorary member of the Friars Club and in 2007, he celebrated his 99th birthday at the Metropolitan Room.
See our comprehensive list of Bernie Bierman links on the Internet >>
Bernie's New CD - Discoveries
Bernie's latest CD, released by Rado Music is Discoveries. An eclectic collection of songs performed by an ensemble of various vocalists, this compilation encompasses genres from the musical worlds of blues, jazz, standard American pop, and cabaret. Bieman's musical wit, tenacity, and spirit are joys to be experienced. Sung by: Joe Bachana, Marieanne Meringolo, Michelle Pirret, Marty Silver and Steve Ross, with contributions from: Steve Addabbo (guitar); Tom Dempsey (guitar); Charlie Giordano (accordion); Ratzo Harris (bass); Tom Kirchmer (bass); Conrad Korsch (bass); Marcus McLaurine (bass); Paul Meyers (guitar); Joe Nero (drums); Gary Pace (piano); Tony Regusis (organ); Mike Richmond (bass).
Listen to clips from Discoveries by Bernie Bierman on CD Baby >>
Bernie has released five other original CDs: read about them here >>
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