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There is the anticipation, if not an expectation, that some of the people in attendance might not know much about the performer’s background beyond the last decade.
Maybe they’ll marvel at the winemaker also being a Grammy-nominated musician.
“I’ve gotten a little bit of that the last few years,” Bernie Williams said with a chuckle. “I haven’t played in quite a while, and I’ve built a fanbase solely for music, so there are some people who don’t know.”
He meant “played” as in baseball. It’s hard time imagine Williams not immediately being recognized as a famous athlete, particularly before a New York audience. Still, the 54-year-old insists that enough time has passed, and that he crosses paths with enough people who aren’t at all sports fans.
But, before Williams became a full-time musician and moonlighting vintner, he was a New York Yankees great, a star of the dynastic 1990s teams that won four World Series championships.
He has immersed himself so fully in jazz and classical music, and become so proficient, he now considers it “a compliment” when someone remembers him as a centerfielder.
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Since retiring in 2006, his focus has been producing hits with a guitar instead of the bat and drawing applause for harmonies instead of home runs.
“It’s a great thing,” he said. “Music is a passion I’ve been cultivating since I was a little kid, and I love the fact that people appreciate my work as a musician.”
He’s got another gig. Williams and his band will perform on Saturday, 7 p.m. at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, leading off its annual Jazz Summer Concert Series and celebrating the second release of the Bernie’s Blends collection of wines.
“There’s something about playing jazz in an intimate setting that I really enjoy,” said Williams, who also performed there last summer. “Playing in a vineyard, with people having a great time and enjoying wine, it’ll be a magnificent evening.”
Williams’ first appearance there drove ticket sales and his performance was raved about, according to the winery, which also sold 51 cases of the wines he helped create. So, naturally, an encore was requested — on the stage and in the cellar.
Millbrook Winery is making available special edition Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from a collection crafted and curated by Williams alongside their winemakers.
“I was mixing 5% of this, 10% of that, and they would determine what made sense and how it needed to be adjusted,” said Williams, who assisted winemaker Ian Bearup in selecting notes and taste-testing. “I’m by no means a wine connoisseur, but I appreciate the process. It’s an intersection of science and art.”
Tickets for the concert series, including Williams’ show, are available now at Millbrook Winery’s website, as are bottles of Bernie’s Blend.
Williams’ daughter, Beatriz, designed the bottle art, which depicts a profile of her father with the backdrop of a beach in his native Puerto Rico.
“It’s like having a piece of artwork with every bottle; I’m proud of the work she did,” Williams said of his daughter, a former basketball star at Byram Hills High School, who now is a Brooklyn-based artist.
Bernie Williams’ relationship with Millbrook Winery began with a by-chance meeting with its management after he and his girlfriend happened upon the vineyard two years ago. Williams is a Westchester resident, but often bikes in and around Dutchess County, enjoying some of the quiet roads and rustic settings.
The couple came across the winery while cycling and decided to visit. There, they were introduced to David Bova, the vice president and general manager. Williams expressed interest in wanting to perform at the venue the following year, and eventually a suggestion was made to have him create a wine blend.
The release of 51 cases last year was a reference to Williams’ No. 51 jersey, which the Yankees retired. The collection quickly sold out last year, so 250 cases are being sold this summer with the bottles priced from $45 to $120.
“Working with a professional legend like Bernie Williams is an honor and a privilege,” Bova said in a statement. “It allows us to create something truly special, as well as reinforce our commitment to showcasing the very best of our community and its unique talents.”
Williams grew up with the influence of Latin jazz, and his multifaceted childhood interests were encouraged by his parents, he said. But he excelled at baseball and, his signing with the Yankees as a 17-year-old phenom put on hold his musical aspirations.
He went on to become a five-time All-Star and helped lead the Yankees to four titles in five years.
He retired after a 16-year career in the major leagues but, Williams said, he was young enough then to change course and pursue his other dream. He has since earned a degree in music, performed internationally and alongside superstars like Bruce Springsteen, and his 2009 album “Moving Forward” was nominated for a Latin Grammy.
“There’s a lot of time you have to spend mastering the craft,” Williams said of the similarities in honing his talents in either field. “You need a routine, that constant maintenance of your skills.”
He isn’t quite ready to add “sommelier” to his renaissance man resume, but he does have some ideas for wine pairing.
“Steak with a smooth wine is the quintessential meal, especially in the summer,” he said. “A nice ribeye, medium rare, with a bottle of red is a great blend of flavors. It’s a harmonious symphony in your mouth.”
This weekend, of course, he hopes to provide that symphony for the ears as well.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4826, Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
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