Photo Coverage: Composer Bierman Celebrates 99th Birthday

American composer Bernie Bierman celebrated his 99th birthday at the Metropolitan Room on Wednesday, August 29.

Born August 26, 1908, native-New Yorker Bierman, began working under contract to the music publishing firm Shapiro/Bernstein and Company in 1947.  As a composer and lyricist in New York's infamous Brill Building, he worked alongside some of the most legendary contemporaries of Tin Pan Alley, including Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and Sammy Cahn.

By 1951, Bierman had composed over sixty songs for various recording artists and major record labels.  His songs, which often charted top ten lists, have been performed by notables like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Kaye, Sarah Vaughan, Don Cherry, Billy Eckstine, Harry James and more.

Due to a pre-existing family contracting business, Bierman later ended his music career to become the head of the Master Painter's Association of New York City, where he remained for thirty years.  His songwriting career picked-up after retirement where he collaborated with Woody Allen, Rita Gardner, Steve Ross and Michelle Pirret. In the next 15 years he would release four new albums and his timeless songs are performed in cabarets nation-wide today.  He received the Backstage Bistro Award for Lifetime Achievement of Excellence in the Field of American Popular Song in 2004.

Photos by Mark Rupp

Celeste Holm and Bernie Bierman

Bernie Bierman

Bernie Bierman

Co-host of the party Joe Bachana

Joe Bachana

Co-host Don DeLair

Jenna Esposito

Tony DeSare

Kristen Sargent & Ritt Henn

Devin Richards

Marieanne Meringolo

Bernie Bierman blowing out his candles

Frank Basile, Celeste Holm and Janet Fanale

Celeste Holm and Devin Richards

Devin Richards and Tammy Grimes

Devin Richards with Joe Bachana and daughter

KT Sullivan with Joe Bachana and daughter

Heather Sullivan and Jenna Esposito

KT Sullivan and Bernie Bierman