You missed! This event is over

Pleasure Drones

The Jam

WILL BERNARD GUITAR

“…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

A Berkeley, CA native and recent Brooklyn transplant, guitarist Will Bernard 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 MULTIKUTI (A&M 1989). Since then Will 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 90s Will 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 successful of these projects was the group T.J. Kirk (with Charlie Hunter) whose sophomore album IF FOUR WAS ONE was nominated for a Grammy in 1997.

Will broke out as a bandleader in 1998 with the release of MEDICINE HAT (Antilles/Polygram), showcasing his expert chops and flair for funky, bottomheavy soul-jazz. He then followed up with two self produced albums on his own label, Dreck to Disk, before finding a new home on Palmetto Records. Will’s debut recording for Palmetto Records, PARTY HATS, was released > February 20, 2007. Matt Balitsaris, President of Palmetto Records, welcomed Will: “We’re psyched to have Will Bernard in the Palmetto family. He’s a soulful player who writes groovy tunes with a distinctive point of view. PARTY HATS wants to live in your car.” PARTY HATS was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008 for best contemporary jazz album.

As a touring artist, Will Bernard has been gaining steady momentum, performing in his own band or as a member of the Stanton Moore Trio, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Groundation, and numerous other lineups. The Will Bernard band has performed at The Monterey, North Sea, SF Jazz, Bumbershoot, Be-Bop and Brew, Montreal, Vancouver and The High Sierra festivals, as well as clubs across the country and through Canada. They have opened for Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters, Jimmy McGriff, The Funky Meters, John Scofield, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Ziggy Modeliste and the Charlie Hunter Quartet.

ERIC KALB DRUMS/ELECTRONICS

Eric is a devotee of R&B drumming with an improvisational aesthetic colored by bursts of rock aggression. Best known for his high energy live performances he has toured North America, Europe, Australia and Japan with such notables as Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, John Scofield, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charlie Hunter,The Greyboy Allstars and Deep Banana Blackout to name a few. Along the way he has had the pleasure of playing with the legendary Allman Brothers Band and The Meters. Eric has also backed up Rock-n-Roll icon Chuck Berry and performed at such important events as the Newport, Monterey and Umbria Jazz Festivals. Recent studio sessions have included recordings for the major motion pictures American Gangster and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

JEFF HANLEY BASS/ELECTRONICS

Jeff Hanley is a very in demand bass player on the New York Scene. He is valued for his old school bass pocket inspired by James Jamerson, Jerry Jemmott and Willy Weeks as well as his extensive Harmonic knowledge. He has toured and recorded with Marsalis Music recording artist Doug Wamble and performs with Greg Allman band members Jay Collins and Scott Sharrard as well as the infamous Santiago. Jeff has also performed/recorded with saxophone legends Bunky Greene, Sam Rivers, and Branford Marsalis.

 

DATES/TIMES

WHERE

• The Jam

PRICE

• $10

• Ages: 21+