Maplewood, New Jersey.
Raised in Puerto Rico, Bernie Williams discovered his love for baseball and music simultaneously. At eight years old, he was captivated by the enchanting sounds of a flamenco guitar brought home from Spain by his merchant-marine father. He also experienced the same exhilaration when he first held a baseball bat.
The talented student-athlete excelled in both pursuits, enrolling at the special performance arts school Escuela Libre de Musica at just thirteen years old. He quickly became one of the most prominent young athletes on the island, setting record times in the 400 meters in track and field and becoming one of Puerto Rico’s most highly sought-after young baseball prospects. Bernie was signed by the New York Yankees after high school in 1987 and eventually made his Major League debut with them in May 1991 as a switch-hitter.
Apart from performing at concert venues, music festivals, and special events, Bernie dedicated significant time to authoring his first book, Rhythms of the Game: The Link Between Music and Athletic Performance. Published by Hal Leonard Books and released in July 2011, the book delves into the interdependent relationship between musical artistry and athletic performance through the eyes of a man who has excelled in both.
