Bernie Williams with Chieli Minucci And Special EFX @ Infinity Music Hall & Bistro

 CHIELI MINUCCI is the leader of the Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz group Special EFX, which formed in 1982. Minucci & Special EFX have recorded a combined 26 CDs, 8 of those being solo releases. In addition Minucci has recorded and performed with top pop artists such as Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Jessica Simpson, Anastasia and others, as well as jazz/pop artists Bobby Caldwell, Marion Meadows, Jay Beckenstein, Kim Waters, Alex Bugnon, Gerald Veasley, Lao Tizer, Nestor Torez, Bob Baldwin, and many others. His father, Ulpio Minucci (concert pianist/composer) wrote the now ‘standard’ 1955 hit song “Domani,” as well as “A Thousand Thoughts of You,” and “Felicia” (both sung by Nat King Cole).

Also known as a composer for television and film, Minucci was nominated for 10 Daytime Emmy Awards and has won three, in 1998, 2007, and most recently in 2008, for his eclectic compositional work on CBS’s The Guiding Light. He has written music for well-known programs such as Good Morning America (theme), Bloomberg Radio (theme), Access Hollywood, The 700 Club, and others. He also contributed music to the soundtracks of Bowfinger (1999), Legally Blonde (2001). and Panic (2000), as well as most recently to ‘Lifted’ (2007).

Minucci composed and produced the soundtrack for the Broadway Across America/Nickelodeon live stage productions of the hit TV series, Dora the Explorer (‘Dora’s Pirate Adventure’, ‘The City of Lost Toys’ and currently ‘Return to the City of Lost Toys’) which are currently touring internationally. He also wrote and recorded original songs for the live stage production of Thomas & Friends Live™, (both ‘Thomas Saves The Day!’ and most currently, ‘A Circus Comes to Town’)

Bernie Williams

Throughout Williams’ years with the Yankees, his passion for music never waned, and the sound of his guitar would often be heard emanating from the clubhouse or during team flights. Whether acoustic or electric, a guitar was a constant presence in the star’s locker or equipment bag, and it was no surprise when he demonstrated how serious his musical pursuit was with the release of his first album, The Journey Within in 2003. The record featured fusions of jazz, rock and the tropical rhythms of Williams’ Latin heritage and was met with both strong critical praise and instant chart success- reaching #3 on Billboard’s “Contemporary Jazz Chart.”

Bernie Williams raised his musical game even further with the release of his second album Moving Forward. Featuring guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Secada, Dave Koz, and an All-Star cast of renowned studio musicians, Moving Forward debuted as Billboard’s #2 Contemporary Jazz album in the country, and continued to hold that chart position for five straight weeks, and spawned two consecutive Billboard #1 singles, Go For It, and Ritmo de Otono. The album was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Album in 2009.

In addition to performing at concert venues, music festivals, and special events, since the release of Moving Forward, Bernie spent considerable time authoring his first book, and released a book to be released July 2011 published by Hal Leonard Books titled, Rhythms of the Game: The Link Between Music and Athletic Performance. The book examines the symbiotic relationship between musical artistry and athletic performance through the eyes of a man who has mastered both. Bernie plans to return to the studio in 2012 to record his third album.