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Peter Bernstein

Born September 3rd, 1967 in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in over 60 recordings and numerous festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has made five recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label. The latest, Heart’s Content, features the all-star rhythm section of Brad Mehldau, Larry Grenadier, and Bill Stewart.

While a student at The New School, Peter met the legendary guitarist Jim Hall, who asked him to participate in his Invitational Concert as part of the 1990 JVC Jazz Festival. The event featured such guitarists as John Scofield and Pat Metheny and was released as a CD by Music Masters. Hall once noted that Peter "...has paid attention to the past as well as the future. He is the most impressive young guitarists I’ve heard. He plays the best of them all for swing, logic, feel and taste."

That same year, Peter was discovered by alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson and took part in the first of four recordings with him. He was a regular member of his group throughout the 1990s. "Some people just have it." Donaldson said. "...most of the time you have to teach someone what to do, but Peter knows it all."

Peter has also played with legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb (Cobb’s Mob), organist Larry Goldings, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Melvin Rhyne, drummer Bill Stewart, Joshua Redman, Diana Krall, Nicholas Payton, Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell, and Eric Alexander and performed in North America, Europe and Asia and making numerous television appearances.

Peter has taught at the Julliard School, Berklee College of Music, North Texas State University, the New School Jazz Program and the Jazz Conservatory in Amsterdam.

Peter has been fortunate to gain the respect of his peers and mentors. He has been recognized in both the readers’ and critics’ polls in Downbeat Magazine for the past three years. He continues to hone his style through writing and performing and has developed a distinctive and unforgettable guitar voice that is all his own.

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5
Liner Notes

Melvin Rhyne: Classmasters

Read "Melvin Rhyne: Classmasters" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


While it's an easy task to designate any number of Hammond B-3 organ players who have quickly fallen under the spell of innovator Jimmy Smith, it's not as simple to inventory the few individuals who've avoided Smith's overpowering influence to develop a sound and manner of their own. Melvin Rhyne is one who managed to carve a niche for himself during the '60s with a much lighter and less bombastic approach, around during the heydays as a member of Wes ...

3
Liner Notes

Ralph Bowen: Five

Read "Ralph Bowen: Five" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


Although he's better known in educational circles due to his solid commitment to jazz pedagogy as a member of the faculty at Rutgers University, Ralph Bowen has been a vital member of the jazz community since debuting with the group Out of the Blue back in the mid '80s. His adaptability to a diversity of musical situations has made him a valuable sideman over the years, although the opportunities for Bowen to call the shots as a leader have not ...

27
Album Review

Mike LeDonne: Wonderful!

Read "Wonderful!" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Organist Mike LeDonne's latest recording, Wonderful!, is a labor of love on several levels. Of course, there is love of the music and love of accomplishing something that had not been done before--teaming a gospel choir with jazz quartet. Above all else, there is love for LeDonne's wife, Margaret, and daughter Mary who is disabled but, as LeDonne says, is nonetheless “truly wonderful." LeDonne wrote the album's title song for Mary, wherein he compares her to “a ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

A Conversation with Peter Bernstein

Read "A Conversation with Peter Bernstein" reviewed by David Bixler


The week of March 5 guitarist Peter Bernstein brings a quartet to the Village Vanguard in New York City that includes pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Doug Weiss, and the iconic drummer Al Foster. In this episode of LINER NOTES Peter expresses a genuine gratitude for being able to play music. He also offers insights on how he personally approaches this music as a guitarist, sharing valuable lessons learned from his legendary teachers Gene Bertoncini, Ted Dunbar, and Jim Hall.

5
Album Review

Mike LeDonne: Wonderful!

Read "Wonderful!" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


In jazz's rich tapestry, where tradition meets innovations, there emerged a convergence exemplified by the present release Wonderful! with the virtuosic Mike LeDonne's Groover Quartet + Gospel Choir, who embark on a transcendent journey into the heart of gospel- infused jazz. The project is informed by LeDonne's desire to offer a heartfelt tribute to his wife Margaret and daughter Mary to showcase the spirited and varied nature of the disability community. Participating in this harmonious affair are the long-time members ...

Album Review

Judy Niemack: What's Love?

Read "What's Love?" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Potrebbe non essere gentile iniziare questa recensione ricordando l'età della signora Niemack ma per un'artista ancora così attrattiva ed efficace, l'imminenza dei settant'anni non rappresenta un problema. La cantante californiana mantiene la sua cifra espressiva, aggiungendo nuove ombreggiature vocali e un incedere più intimo e colloquiale, come evidenzia in questo disco. Come altri recenti progetti il lavoro ha subito un arresto per le restrizioni sociali della pandemia che ha fatto saltare la presentazione al Village Vanguard tre ...

9
Liner Notes

Joe Magnarelli: Hoop Dreams

Read "Joe Magnarelli: Hoop Dreams" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


As Duke Ellington would often remind us, music comes in two varieties, that which is good and that which is bad. This suggests that genre and category are really of little concern and that overall quality is really the defining factor in considering the validity of any musical expression. Taking this axiom one step further, let me suggest that good music comes in assorted varieties. On one end of the spectrum you have music brimming with complex structures and technical ...

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Performance / Tour

Announcing Smoke Jazz Club’s October Line-up Including A Special Tribute To Monk, Smoke Sessions Records Album Release Celebration By Peter Bernstein, And More

Announcing Smoke Jazz Club’s October Line-up Including A Special Tribute To Monk, Smoke Sessions Records Album Release Celebration By Peter Bernstein, And More

Source: AMT Public Relations

Entering its second quarter century as committed as ever to pure jazz (All About Jazz),” SMOKE Jazz Club continues its 25th anniversary season with a month of both legendary artists and young jazz luminaries. October begins with the award-winning David Weiss Sextet (Oct 2) celebrating the release of Auteur, its first album in a decade. Peter Bernstein convenes a remarkable all-star quartet featuring legendary drummer Al Foster to celebrate the release of his stunning album Better Angels on the club’s ...

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Event

Zinc Announces Its Summer Jazz Series Lineup

Zinc Announces Its Summer Jazz Series Lineup

Source: Decibel

After a 2-year hiatus amid the Covid pandemic, Zinc is announcing the summer lineup of its highly successful jazz series produced by New York-based concert promoter, Charles Carlini of In Touch Entertainment. The programs comprise Piano Jazz and Guitar Masters evenings on select Mondays and Tuesdays. All these performances will continue to be a regular feature at Zinc throughout the summer months and into the fall. “These programs have met with such enthusiastic response from our audiences because each one ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Peter Bernstein's birthday today!

Born September 3rd, 1967 in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in over 60 recordings and numerous festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has made five recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label. The latest, Heart’s Content, features the all-star rhythm section ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Peter Bernstein's birthday today!

Born September 3rd, 1967 in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in over 60 recordings and numerous festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has made five recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label. The latest, Heart’s Content, features the all-star rhythm section ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Peter Bernstein's birthday today!

Born September 3rd, 1967 in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in over 60 recordings and numerous festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has made five recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label. The latest, Heart’s Content... Read more.

Place our Musician ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Peter Bernstein's birthday today!

Born September 3rd, 1967 in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in over 60 recordings and numerous festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has made five recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label. The latest, Heart’s Content... Read more.

Place our Musician ...

3

Performance / Tour

Jazz Bakery Presents Jeremy Pelt And Peter Bernstein on December 2nd and December 3rd

Jazz Bakery Presents Jeremy Pelt And Peter Bernstein on December 2nd and December 3rd

Source: Jeff Gauthier

The Jazz Bakery presents a weekend of cutting edge jazz with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt's Make Noise Quintet on December 2nd, and guitarist Peter Bernstein's Mostly Monk Quartet on December 3rd. On Saturday December 2nd, Jeremy Pelt's Make Noise Quintet with pianist Victor Gould, bassist Richie Goods, Jonathan Barber on drums and Jacquelene Acevedo on percussion, will perform at the Musicians Institute Concert Center in Hollywood at 8PM. Saturated with the rhythms of two percussionists Pelt's Make Noise quintet has an ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Peter Bernstein's birthday today!

Born September 3rd, 1967 in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in over 60 recordings and numerous festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has made five recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label. The latest, Heart’s Content... Read more.

Place our Musician ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Peter Bernstein's birthday today!

Born September 3rd, 1967 in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in over 60 recordings and numerous festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has made five recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label. The latest, Heart’s Content... Read more.

Place our Musician ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Jazz Musician of the Day: Peter Bernstein

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Peter Bernstein's birthday today! Born September 3rd, 1967 in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in over 60 recordings and numerous festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has made five recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label. The latest, Heart’s Content... Read more. Place our Musician ...

Jamie Taylor
guitar, electric
Ryan Fourt
guitar
Fabrizio Savino
guitar, electric
Pieces
band / ensemble / orchestra
Gur Liraz
guitar
Martin Iaies
guitar, electric
Nico Moreno
guitar, electric
Conor Cantrell
guitar, electric

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Wonderful!

Cellar Music Group
2024

buy

Better Angels

Smoke Sessions Records
2024

buy

Dust Settles

Tippin' Records
2023

buy

Third Time's The Charm

La Reserve/Bandstand Presents
2023

buy

The Magnificent

Cellar Music Group
2023

buy

Oklahoma

Messy House Records
2023

buy

Born To Be Blue

From: What's Love?
By Peter Bernstein

Been Down This Road Before

From: Been Down This Road Before
By Peter Bernstein

Salome's Dance

From: Salome's Dance: The Mike Rud...
By Peter Bernstein

Dilemma

From: Introducing Tom van der Zaal
By Peter Bernstein

Favela Chic

From: Introducing Tom van der Zaal
By Peter Bernstein

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