The Art of the Story

A musical family legacy told in "Lee Berk: Leading the Berklee Way'

By Doug Doyle,

Bobby Sanabria

Published October 31, 2025 at 9:19 AM EDT

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On this episode of The Art of the Story, we highlight the new book Lee Berk: Leading the Berklee Way.

Lee Berk, the late president and namesake of Berklee College of Music, died unexpectedly on October 21 of 2023. The new book, written by guitarist and noted journalist Mark Small with the help of Lee’s widow Susan is a loving tribute to the Berk family and its impact on the music community and beyond.

Lee Berk with Amar G. Bose and Oleta Adams in 1994

Bobby Sanabria and Doug Doyle's entire interview with Susan Berk and Mark Small is below:

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Doug Doyle

Doug Doyle has been News Director at WBGO since 1998. Since then, Doug and his news staff have received more than 300 awards from organizations like PRNDI (now PMJA), AP, New York Association of Black Journalists, Garden State Association of Black Journalists and the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.

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Bobby Sanabria

Bobby Sanabria is an eight time Grammy-nominee as a leader, drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, conductor, documentary film producer, educator, activist, and bandleader. A native son of the South Bronx born to Puerto Rican parents, he has performed and recorded with such legends as Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Dizzy Gillespie, Chico O’Farrill, Ray Barretto, Cándido, Henry Threadgill, Larry Harlow, and the Godfather of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mario Bauzá.

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