Bernardo Padrón

…was born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in Ottawa.

After graduating from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music Performance program in 1987, Bernardo moved to Caracas where played with Venezuela's top pop and jazz artists (Frank Quintero, Kara, Luz Marina, Biela DaCosta, and Martes 8:30, among others).

There, he recorded and his first CD of original compositions entitled “Seadance", released in 2001. The lyrical "Seadance", now in its second edition, has been very well received and continues to get airplay on National jazz radio stations.

Since his return to Toronto in 2003, Bernardo has led several groups, playing his original compositions at jazz clubs in Toronto and Ottawa. He has also played with Hawksley Workman, David Alexis Baro, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, David Buchbinder, Evaristo Machado, Rubén Vasquez and Friends, Guiomar Campbell and Parabólica, The Alchemistas, Marc Sepic, Dominicanada, Tumbao, Luis Mario Ochoa, and others.

As well as his jazz pursuits, bernardo also leads the group “Orinoco” which specializes in the study and performance of Venezuelan traditional folk music. Orinoco has performed in several world music venues and Festivals in Toronto. His explorations into this genre have since led to formal studies in ethnomusicology at York university where he is currently pursuing his Master’s degree.

With the support of the Canada Arts Council, Bernardo is currently completing the production of his latest CD, “Tales of la Juana”, due to be commercially released in January, 2007.

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