One could sum up Karl Berger’s philosophy and approach to music in only two words: “Just play.” Karl, who passed away on Easter Sunday, 2023, was the cofounder (with Ornette Coleman and Karl’s wife Ingrid Sertso) of the Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York. Despite a very stern and rigorous academic background in German universities (his PhD dissertation was Die Funktionsbestimmung der Musik in der Sowjet-ideologie, or, The Function of Music in Soviet Ideology), Karl saw that the real function of music is to bring people together in joy, love, and laughter. His 1976 record with Ed Blackwell, “Just Play” (Quark Records & Books – 9996) was a shining example of this outlook. After all your learning, studying, practicing, striving, scheming, collaborating, and cogitating–just play.
This was the last advice Karl gave me. I was in Woodstock to attend a Jamaaladeen Tacuma workshop in September of 2022. At dinner one night with Karl, Ingrid, and their daughter Savia, I told Karl that I was about to turn 70. Karl said, “Now is the time to start unlearning. Just play. You don’t have to learn anything new.” I’m grateful for this advice; I embrace it and take it very much to heart. I understand what Karl means. And yet, I have so very much to learn.
Bob Sweet 