Thilo Berg


Thilo Berg is a German drummer who attracted attention, particularly in the 1980s, as a modern jazz, big band leader. He has produced and organised more than 700 jazz, classical, R&B and soul events. Besides his own productions, he worked on large industry concerts as well as kick-off meetings and social events.

Career

Thilo Berg completed studies as a classical percussionist with Herrmann Gschwendtner and was a solo timpanist and percussionist in the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra between 1981 and 2007. He also held the same position at the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra until 2008. In addition to this, Berg worked in various bands. In 1986 he formed his big band and worked with guest soloists such as Barbara Dennerlein, Ack van Rooyen, Jiggs Whigham, Barbara Morrison, Silvia Droste, Jim Snidero, Slide Hampton, Bob Mintzer, Art Farmer and Bill Ramsey.
Together until 1993, the band included musicians such as Till Brönner, Paul Heller, Peter Weniger, Ludwig Nuss, Mark Nightingale, Gerald Presencer and Martin Shaw, as well as the pianist Hubert Nuss and Thilo Wagner.
The work of the Big Band was documented on three albums. Berg also worked in smaller groups with musicians such as: Jack van Poll, Bobby Shew, Heiner Franz, John Gordon, Elaine Delmare and Curtis Fuller.
Thilo Berg founded the jazz and classical music label Mons Records in Trippstadt in 1991, and has worked as a music producer for Sony Music, BMG, Columbia and Universal.
In 1995, Mons Records was the most successful Indie label on American jazz radio stations. Mons Records released around fifteen productions a year. Music from Mons can be found on several film productions including Double Jeopardy with Tommy Lee Jones and Ashley Judd, and U.S. TV shows including American Idol and the Swingin Fireballs on So You Think You Can Dance.

Literature