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Will Bernard
Guitarist Will Bernard, a Berkeley, CA native and Brooklyn NY transplant studied guitar and piano from an early age with Dave Creamer, Art Lande and Julian White later developing and interest in classical music composition . He received a a degree in music from UC Berkeley where he studied with Andrew Imbrie and others.
He began playing and recording on an international level as a member of Peter Apfelbaum’s Hieroglyphics Ensemble,who made their recorded debut with Don Cherry on “Multikulti” (A&M 1989). Since then, Bernard has participated in a host of boundary stretching groups, ranging from jazz, hip-hop and world music to experimental music, with many stops in between. In the 90’s Bernard recorded and performed with many projects under the direction of acclaimed producer Lee Townsend and worked with groups ranging from the Hindustani-influenced Jai Uttal to the political hip-hop group the Coup. The most commercially successful of these projects was the group T.J. Kirk (with Charlie Hunter) whose sophomore album “If Four Was One” on Warner bros. was nominated for a Grammy in 1997. Will made further inroads with the Stanton Moore trio which toured extensively and made 3 albums on Telarc and a Hal Leonard drum instructional video and book.
Bernard broke out as a bandleader in 1998 with the release of “Medicine Hat” (Antilles/Polygram), showcasing his expert chops and flair for funky, bottom-heavy soul-jazz. He then followed up with two self produced albums (“Motherbug” and “Directions To My House”), before making two albums on Palmetto Records (“Party Hats” and “Blue Plate Special”). “Party Hats” garnered a nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008 for best contemporary jazz album.The all-star “Blue Plate Special” includes performances by Stanton Moore, Andy Hess and John Medeski. In 2011, Bernard released an organ trio record titled “Outdoor Living” to positive reviews with his own genre-bending style.
Bernard’s last two albums are on Posi-tone records “Just Like Downtown” (Posi-Tone 2013) which features John Ellis on tenor sax and bass clarinet, Brian Charette on organ, and Rudy Royston on drums and “Out and About” (2016). which features Ben Allison, Allison Miller, Brian Charette and John Ellis. These recordings demonstrates Bernard’s roots in straight-ahead jazz and more traditional styles as well as funk and free wheeling improv.
As a touring artist, Bernard has hit the road extensively with sin his own bands or as a member of the Stanton Moore Trio, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Groundation, and numerous other lineups. As a leader Bernard has performed at The Monterey, North Sea, SF Jazz, Jazz a Vienne, Bumbershoot, Be-Bop and Brew, Montreal, Vancouver, Carribean Sea, and The High Sierra festivals,as well as clubs and festivals across the US, Europe and Canada. They have opened for Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters, Jimmy McGriff, The Funky Meters, John Scofield, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Zigaboo Modeliste and the Charlie Hunter Quartet.
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Will Bernard & Beth Custer: Sky
by Vincenzo Roggero
Quello tra Will Bernard e Beth Custer è un sodalizio che dura da decenni come ben dimostrano le due foto--una giovanile e una attuale--che occupano la seconda e la quarta di copertina di Sky , la loro ultima fatica discografica. Lui suona la chitarra elettrica e acustica, ha radici musicali nella San Francisco Bay Area, studi di musica classica, jazz, passioni per il funk di New Orleans e per il downtown newyorkese. Lei suona i clarinetti nei ...
Continue ReadingWill Bernard 4-Tet: Medicine Hat
by Mike Jacobs
With its sly, seductive 9/8 groove, the title track from Medicine Hat (Antilles, 1998), proves to be a fine remedy for those in immediate need of a bit of uncommon soulfulness. ...
Continue ReadingWill Bernard & Beth Custer: Sky
by Mark Corroto
Luckily there are no record producers or record executives for creative music these days, because clarinetist Beth Custer and guitarist Will Bernard would be out of a job or, at least, a recording contract. That is because neither of the artists' interests can be categorized, pigeonholed, or compartmentalized. Custer performs chamber music, jazz, trance, pop, blues, silent film soundtracks, trip-hop, rock, folk, tribal, and ambient music. Likewise, Bernard has his fingers in jazz (from straight ahead to soul and jazz-rock), ...
Continue ReadingWill Bernard Finds His Own Path To Jazz Career
by Jim Trageser
Guitarist Will Bernard doesn't consider himself a “regular" jazz player. He says this occurred to him when he was being asked to play on some recording sessions in New York. “In New York, I've been doing some recording—I did three records for PosiTone, which is more of a jazz label. They're actually based in L.A., but they record mostly in New York. He was calling me in to do jazz sessions, and I think, 'I'm not ...
Continue ReadingWill Bernard: Pond Life
by Mark Corroto
All great performances, be they athletic or musical, start with a solid base. For guitarist Will Bernard that is a trio with drummer Ches Smith (Ceramic Dog, Snakeoil) and completing Bernard's bass (sic) with both the acoustic and electric input of bassist Chris Lightcap. Upon this foundation Bernard is inspired to expand his music with the help of keyboardist John Medeski and saxophonist Tim Berne. Medeski can be heard on the guitarist's 2008 album Blue Plate Special (Palmetto Records) and ...
Continue ReadingWill Bernard: Ancient Grains
by Kyle Simpler
In the culinary world, ancient grains is a term used to describe grains that have been virtually unchanged for centuries but are often used in modern recipes. Will Bernard uses this idea as a metaphor in his album Ancient Grains. The basic concept is that the instruments used in this recording, such as guitars, organ, amplifiers and drums, are vintage in different ways. Some are actually vintage instruments while others are based on designs of vintage instruments. As with the ...
Continue ReadingWill Bernard: Freelance Subversives
by Doug Collette
A native Californian currently headquartered in Brooklyn, Will Bernard's geographical touchpoints mirror the expanse of solo and collaborative projects to which he's contributed over the course of his career. Just a few of the names appearing in his discography are also indicative of the guitarist's broadly eclectic approach: eccentric singer/composer Tom Waits, drummer extraordinaire Stanton Moore and guitar wunderkind Charlie Hunter. And dating back to Will's membership with the latter in T.J. Kirk (with drummer Scott Amendola), there's been a ...
Continue ReadingDavid Haney And Bernard Purdie Bring New York Jazz Stories To Joe’s Pub On April 6
Source:
GoMedia PR
On April 6, pianist and composer David Haney and legendary drummer Bernard Purdie will bring another performance of New York Jazz Stories to Joe’s Pub. New York Jazz Stories combines swinging, electrifying music, featuring Bernard Purdie and company along with some highly entertaining stories retold by David Haney. These are real stories told directly to Haney, transcribed and brought to life with a sound track by “Pretty” Purdie, bassist Adam Lane, Steve Swell on trombone; violinist Jason Kao Hwang, Melanie ...
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Bernard Peiffer: Formidable!
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
I last posted about pianist Bernard Peiffer in August 2015. Back then, I explored his early recordings. Today, I want to turn your attention to Formidable!, an album of solo piano pieces by Peiffer recorded in 1970 in Philadelphia. The private recordings were released by Peiffer's estate in 2006 on CD. They are among Peiffer's last known recordings before his death in 1976. The sound and inventiveness are exquisite. The tapes were discovered by Stephan Jean-Bernard Peiffer in his mother's ...
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Bernard Peiffer: Forgotten Piano
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Pianist Bernard Peiffer began recording in 1943, during the German occupation of Paris. By 1949, he was recording in Paris with touring American musicians such as Don Byas, Bill Coleman, Hot Lips Page, Sidney Bechet, James Moody and Kenny Clarke. With the formation of Barclay Records by Eddie Barclay in the early 1950s, Peiffer began recording with a trio. In 1954, he moved to New York. Peiffer's first album in the States was Bernie's Tunes (EmArcy), a showcase for Peiffer's ...
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Aaron Bernard Brim "Meeting Of The Mindz" Deep Pocket Groove Master!
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
Aaron Bernard Brim is an accomplished professional with an undeniable pocket, groove and swingability. His discipline in being sensitive to the needs and wants of the artists and all musicians he is working with brings cohesiveness to the musical unit. This builds rhythmic excellence and a genuine platform with respect for other musicians and crew while having fun. Aaron Bernard Brim is the President and CEO of Brimstone Music Prods. Corp and San Fe Ti Records. His focus is to ...
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Chicago-based Saxophonist Bernard Scavella Releases "A Taste Of Scavella"
Source:
Craig Neely
Chicago, IL: Chicago-based reed master Bernard Scavella delivers mightily on his latest, A Taste Of Scavella, an 11-tune recording packed with the best in post bop playing with a freshness to match. Scavella Scavella's masterful tenor and soprano playing and exceptional writing are on display as he composed nine of the tracks. A Taste Of Scavella also includes Joe Henderson's “Serenity" and Kenny Barron's “Sun Shower." For A Taste Of, Scavella chose a supporting cast of top notch musicians whom ...
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Bernard Purdie & Friends Hit The Stage At The Philadelphia Clef Club Of Jazz & Performing Arts
Source:
Vena Jefferson
The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz on the Avenue of the Arts is back and bigger and better than ever for Spring/Summer 2014 with Two Amazing Summer Concert Performances with Bernard Purdie and Joey DeFrancesco. Philadelphia, PA: PCC of Jazz is revving up for the 2014 Spring/Summer Season with two incredible concert performances featuring First, Bernard Purdie,world-renown drummer and one of the most influential musicians and bandleaders of our time will play a special two-night engagement and a one-day drum ...
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Will Bernard: New Trio Album, Tour Dates
Source:
JamBase
NEW ALBUM OUTDOOR LIVING OUT MARCH 20 Guitarist Will Bernard has confirmed plans to release a new trio album, Outdoor Living on March 20 via Dreck to Disk/A-Train. The groove-Centric disc marks the recording debut of Bernard's touring trio with Wil Blades (B3) and Simon Lott (Drums). To support the record, the guys have announced East Coast, West Coast and New Orleans tour dates. Check out all the dates below. Will Bernard Tour Dates
February 24—Will Bernard Trio @ Jules ...
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Advice for DIY Musicians: Adam Bernard's 'Muscle for Your Hustle'
Source:
HypeBot
Music and entertainment writer Adam Bernard recently released “Muscle For Your Hustle: What Every DIY Musician Needs to Know." In this ebook, a steal at $.99, Adam shares “firsthand advice from things I've experienced, or..the advice other artists have given me about what works for them." As always, Adam shows that his perspective on the industry is solid and grounded. I first encountered Adam Bernard, longtime music blogger at Adam's World, when he left a comment supporting Mickey Avalon on ...
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Will Bernard Trio June 2011 California Run
Source:
Marshall Lamm Promotions & Public Relations
Grammy-nominated guitarist Will Bernard will be performing select dates in California in June with his trio featuring Hammond B3 organist Wil Blades and drummers Simon Lott and Scott Amendola. Sunday, June 19 Will Bernard Trio with Wil Blades and Simon Lott Live Oak Music Festival, San Luis Obispo, CA Thursday, June 23 Will Bernard Trio with Wil Blades and Simon Lott Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA Friday, June 24 ...
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Will Bernard Brings Wily Jazz, and a Whole Lot More
Source:
All About Jazz
With grooves as thick and rich as mousse, a stream of murmuring organ notes and precise syncopations, the Will Bernard Trio sounds like it should be up on the main stage at the Telluride Jazz Celebration. But, hey, it’s September, the festival season has gone to bed, and besides, it’s getting cold out there. Instead, the Will Bernard Trio will play a show in the intimate glow (and heated interior) of Las Montañas. The free-jazz, soul-jazz, roots-jazz, anything goes show ...
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“…a player who clearly deserves a wider audience for his imaginative genrebusting aesthetic.” —John Kelman, All about Jazz
“…one of the most potent, if under recognized, guitarists on the post-Frisell/post-Scofield scene.” —Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times
“Will Bernard is one of the best-kept jazz-guitar secrets on the planet.” —Dan Ouellette, Billboard
“...Bernard cruise(s) with the mercurial flow of Steve Cropper (Booker T & The MG’s) and obvious ancestor Grant Green. But, there’s more razor sharp teeth inside his bite than these touchstones.” —Dennis Cook, Jambase
Photos
Music
You Are My Sunshine
From: Jazz, Baby!By Will Bernard
Crab Apple Red
From: Directions To My HouseBy Will Bernard
Videos
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Will Bernard
Location: New York City
Instrument: Guitar
