Sounds Of Berklee

David Rosenthal ’81: Music director and keyboardist for the Piano Man for 23 Years and counting By Curtis Killian During a recent artist residency at his alma mater, David Rosenthal ’81, Billy Joel’s music director and keyboardist since 1993, described his prodigious career as “a fun and exciting journey.” He wasn’t exaggerating. On the most recent leg of that odyssey, Rosenthal is booked for indefinite sold-out shows with Billy Joel in a first-of-its-kind residency at Madison Square Garden. Thus far there have been 26 monthly engagements at the fabled venue, which Rosenthal says will continue as long as there is a demand. “It’s just remarkable, the enthusiasm of the New York fans for Billy,” Rosenthal says. “Worldwide he has that incredible appeal, but particularly in New York he has that home advantage.” Notably, Joel and Rosenthal will also play at Fenway Park in August for the third summer in a row, and Joel’s sold-out debut gig at Wembley Stadium in September. Of his role as music director and the uni