March 27

Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein (2018)

By Jamie Bernstein

When my father worked in Manhattan and we lived in a nearby suburb from 1961-70, there was no more prominent New Yorker than Leonard Bernstein, charismatic conductor of the New York Philharmonic and composer of "West Side Story", everyone's favorite film during my teen years.

Jamie Bernstein has written this affection, no-holds-barred memoir of her famous father on the 100th anniversary of his birth (2018).  Bernstein married the beautiful Costa Rican actress Felicia Montealegre and had three children, Jamie , Alexander and Nina.  Jamie recalls the family's life in several NYC locations (including the Dakota) but especially warmly remembers the family's weekend and summer homes in Fairfield, CT.  The memoir is a literal who's who of Jamie's generation, including close friends especially in entertainment (Steve Sondheim, Lillian Hellman, Lauren Bacall, Mike Nichols) and government (JFK and Jackie).  Benazir Bhutto was a college friend at Harvard.  Jamie recalls her father's appearances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, including his famous concerts for young people*, his inaugural performance at the Kennedy Center - but also the parties, the constant smoking and drinking, she and her brother's drug use, her mother's early death from cancer, witnessing the aftermath of John Lennon's death from a window of the Dakota.

Jamie's relationship with her father was close, but also complicated.  When she tries to become a pop singer, the shadow of her famous father is both a blessing and a curse.  His names opens doors, but also invites expectations and comparison.  She labors for years to make a name for herself, singing and accompanying herself on guitar, but ultimately fails.  It is only after Leonard Bernstein's death from lung cancer at age 72 that Jamie finds her stride as a filmmaker and lecturer on the music her father made, but also an educator, helping young people around the world find pleasure and healing in music.  Today, all three Bernstein children maintain the archives and rights to their father's music, working to bring music education to young people around the world.

*My family attended one of Leonard Bernstein's young people's concerts, shortly after President Kennedy was shot.  I'll never forget the brilliant young harpist who was featured.  This youtube selection may be that program.