Bernie Williams was center stage just like the old days Yankee Stadium, Only this time he was at Lincoln Center with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and making his New York Philharmonic debut.
After spending 16 years finding fame roaming the grass where Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle once roamed, Williams was on the stage made famous by Leonard Bernstein and where guitar great Andres Segovia once played.
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Williams performed “Moving Forward”, a jazz-inspired piece composed in 2009 that was arranged by Jeff Tyzik as part of the orchestra’s spring gala on Wednesday night at David Geffen Hall, the former All-Star outfielder. There was a public announcement of the second career of. As a classical guitarist.
This image released by the New York Philharmonic shows former New York Yankees baseball player Bernie Williams standing left with conductor Gustavo Dudamel as he makes his New York Philharmonic debut Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in New York. (Brandon Patock/New York Philharmonic via AP)
The day before the performance, he recalled going to the Manhattan School of Music from 2012–16 to learn his new trade and earn a bachelor’s degree.
He said, “I had a lot of these guys hanging around me and it made me realize that I had to work as hard as I’ve ever worked at anything, including becoming a Major League Baseball player.” ” “I had to work, and none of the things I had done before were going to help me here. I really had to reinvent myself. Everything I learned from being a professional baseball player, Some of those things really helped me perform under pressure, work and be consistent.”
Dudamel, who became music director in 2026–27, gave a rousing introduction of Williams that was repeatedly interrupted by applause as he explained Williams’ background at an event to raise money for music education.
“Bernie grew up in Puerto Rico and I think he probably had some other opportunities besides music,” Dudamel said.
Wearing a dark suit and tie with patent leather loafers, Williams played his 4 1/2-minute composition backed by the Philharmonic, which also included student musicians.
Williams, now 55, signed with the Yankees on his 17th birthday in 1985, made the major leagues six years later and four times world series champion, five-time All-Star and 1998 AL batting champion. He hit .297 with 287 homers, 1,257 RBIs and 147 stolen bases for the Yankees from 1991–2006.
He began playing guitar at age 6 or 7 in Puerto Rico, learning from his mother’s friends and listening to his father Bernabé play guitar. Bernie brought his guitar to the ballpark and played in the clubhouse lounge to MTV tunes selected by teammate Derek Jeter.
“When you’re on the road, you spend a certain amount of time in the room,” Williams said. “A lot of people play video games, a lot of people just watch TV. So I liked to split the time between watching TV, ordering room service, and playing guitar.”
He played in a paint room under the right field stands at the old Yankee Stadium, where Ron Guidry left a drum set that was taken over by Paul O’Neill. Williams brought an amplifier, and they jammed after batting practice and during rain delays.
A special thrill occurred before a game against Minnesota in 1998, when Bruce Springsteen walked into the clubhouse, talked to some Yankees players and signed Williams’ guitar, writing: “For Bernie, if you ever get tired of baseball. Are…” The duo joined Joe Torre at his Safe at Home Foundation concert in 2007 to play “Glory Days”.
By 2003, Williams released his first recording, “The Journey Within”. Their second, “Moving Forward”, earned Latin Grammy nominations for Best Instrumental Album in 2009, and he is considering his third album, which he hopes will have more adventurous playing and writing.
Williams said, “Anyone can enjoy good music and some part of that music is able to move people in a way that nothing else can.” “So I think understanding those feelings that come with being a musician has taken me on a great journey and it’s been a really amazing process that’s the opposite of what I’m used to in sports. The opportunity to do both things. It’s great to meet in a lifetime.”
His mother was adamant on him going to college. Williams received her degree in 2016 after a four-year undergraduate program. He studied guitar with Christopher Rosenberg, harmony, composition and improvisation with Gary Dial, and writing with John Pagano. Williams now serves on the school’s board of trustees.
Before this week’s performance, Williams performed from April 9-13 at the Café Carlyle, the famous Upper East Side nightspot where Bobby Short entertained New York high society from 1968-2004.
“Everyone is very close and you hear a pin drop and everyone is very attentive,” he said. “It’s a unique experience, at least for me. I’m used to playing in front of 50,000 people, with everyone screaming and shouting their hearts out. So, yes, it’s quite the contrast.”
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Philharmonic CEO Gary Ginstling said after Wednesday morning’s rehearsal that 30 orchestra musicians were standing in line to receive Williams’ autographed balls, caps and shirts as Williams posed for photos. Cellist Patrick Gee rehearsed in a Yankees jersey already signed by Torre and Jeter.
“I’ve never seen them all so excited about one of our artists,” Ginstling said.
