Bernard Wright
| Bernard Wright | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 16, 1963 Jamaica, Queens, New York |
| Origin | New York, New York |
| Genres |
Post-disco[1] Contemporary R&B[1] Post-bop[1] Crossover jazz[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, artist |
| Instruments | Keyboards |
| Labels |
Manhattan/EMI Records Arista GRP/MCA Records |
| Associated acts | Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Dave Grusin, Roberta Flack, Doug E. Fresh |
| Notable instruments | |
| Keyboards (Clavinet, Fender Rhodes), synthesizer (Prophet V), Oberheim DMX | |
Bernard Wright (born November 16, 1963) is an American funk and jazz keyboardist and singer who began his career as a session musician and later released four solo albums.[2]
Biography
Wright was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York. He attended the Fiorello Laguardia High School of Music & the Performing Arts in New York.[3] Classmates included writer Carl Hancock Rux, gospel recording artist Desiree Coleman Jackson, and rappers Slick Rick and Dana Dane. He was offered a slot touring with Lenny White when he was 13, and he played with Tom Browne at the age of 16.[1]
GRP Records signed him in 1981 and released his debut album 'Nard,[4] tracks from which were prominently sampled in hits by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Skee-Lo, and LL Cool J.[5] The album was re-released in 2001.[6] He followed with Funky Beat (1983)[7] on Arista and Mr. Wright (1985) on Manhattan Records.[8] The latter of these albums included his biggest R&B appearance, "Who Do You Love", for which a video was made that is featured in the title sequence of Video Music Box.[9] In 1990 he released the gospel album Fresh Hymns.[10] In 200 he formed a duo with Alfredo Elias and Damon Banks and released the album Back To Our Roots.[11]
Wright has also appeared on recordings by musicians such as Miami Mike Devine Pennington, Doug E. Fresh, Cameo, Bobby Brown, Pieces of a Dream, Charles Earland, Marcus Miller, and Miles Davis.[12]
Since his recording days, Wright has continued playing keyboards in Dallas, where he mentors younger artists.[13]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | US | US R&B |
US Jazz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 'Nard | |
|
|
| 1983 | Funky Beat | |
|
|
| 1985 | Mr. Wright | |
|
|
| 1990 | Fresh Hymns | |
|
|
Singles
| Year | Title | US R&B |
US Dance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Just Chillin' Out" | |
|
| "Haboglabotribin'" | |
| |
| 1982 | "Won't You Let Me Love You" | |
|
| 1983 | "Funky Beat" | |
|
| 1985 | "Who Do You Love" | |
|
| "After You" | |
| |
| "Yo 'Nard" | |
|
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Bernard Wright at Allmusic
- ↑ "Bernard Wright". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
- ↑ "Fiorello laguardia alumni". Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ↑ "Bernard Wright - 'Nard (original)". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
- ↑ "Sunday Selection: LL Cool J and Bernard Wright - "Who Do You Love?"". Hip-Hop News, Rumors, Rap Music & Videos |AllHipHop. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
- ↑ "Bernard Wright - 'Nard (remaster)". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
- ↑ "Bernard Wright - 'Nard". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
- ↑ "Bernard Wright - Funky Beat". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
- ↑ The Wright Stuff. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1985-12-21.
- ↑ "Bernard Wright - Fresh Hymns". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
- ↑ Lopez, Jeff (2000-03-25). Bernard Wright returns with jazz trio Too BAD Juna debut. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
- ↑ "Bernard Wright (performance credits)". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
- ↑ Quinn, Peter. "10 Questions for Musician Michael League". www.theartsdesk.com. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
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