EP 89: What Touring with Jazz Royalty Taught André Berry About Finding His Sound

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I’m joined by one of the most respected names in smooth jazz bass, André Berry. You may know him from the stage alongside Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright, or Peter White—but behind the bass is a journey of reinvention, hustle, and heart.

André grew up in Cleveland, where the dream of starting a band began in his early teens. After switching from guitar to bass at 16, he found his groove and never let go. Influenced by legends like Larry Graham and Louis Johnson, André eventually found himself filling in for Louis—an experience that was as humbling as it was defining.

He walks me through how a simple recommendation led to his first jazz gig with Rick Braun and opened doors to work with icons across the genre. We reflect on his move from Cleveland to Los Angeles, the winding path that led him to The Busboys, and how building authentic relationships helped him stay in motion when others stopped playing.

André gets personal about the turning point that made him take music seriously again and how David Sanborn challenged him to stop imitating and start creating. That moment reshaped André’s philosophy on sound, purpose, and artistic freedom. He also talks about his upcoming project with his new trio, DAP, whose first release is slated for September.

This episode is about more than career milestones—it’s a look into what happens when you lean into your lane, trust your network, and answer the wakeup call to honor your gift.