Hardbopjazz Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 I will catch him tomorrow night at Smalls in NYC. He is playing solo guitar. I use to see him a lot in the 90s when he played with Lou Donaldson. I also caught him twice with Dr. Lonnie Smith. What do you think of his playing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe G Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Very solid player with great time, great lines, and the ability to tell a story. I would be interested to hear what he does solo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted July 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 You may be able to hear. Smalls streams the concerts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Very solid player with great time, great lines, and the ability to tell a story. I would be interested to hear what he does solo. If it fits into your schedule, there should be a live video feed at 7:30 PM ET: Small's Video Feed Page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim R Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 2004 thread Bernstein turned up on several tracks in Mike Weil's recent blindfold test (#66), so you may also wish to read that discussion thread. Bernstein has been around for a long time now, and I think he's become quite an influence on a lot of young players. Solo guitar is not something I've heard much from him, but I've never seen him in person. I have no doubt that he's a fine solo player... like a lot of other past greats who rarely were recorded in that setting. It's unfortunate that this aspect of guitar playing has always been more difficult to market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Ptah Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 When I saw him live last fall, I found his playing to be far more interesting and full of tension and release, compared to when I had seen him live five years earlier, when he was more of a relaxed bopper, to my ears.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kh1958 Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 He seems to be the first call guitarist in New York, because just about every time I've seen a mainstream group at a club in New York in the last four or five years and there is a guitarist, it is Peter Bernstein. At first I thought he was competent but kind of bland, but I've found him to be more distinctive the last few times I've seen him and am liking him more and more (though I haven't bought one of his leader CDs yet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Storer Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Interesting take. It echoes that of a guitarist friend of mine, who is considerably more favorably inclined to what he calls "Scobertheny" guitar than to the heirs of Grant Green. But little by little he has come around to the Peter Bernstein camp and now has great esteem for him, and even buys the CDs. I like Bernstein a lot, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 He is very melodic and smooth (not in a smooth jazz way). I love his phrasing. Great guy, too. Met him in NYC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fasstrack Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 I will catch him tomorrow night at Smalls in NYC. He is playing solo guitar. I use to see him a lot in the 90s when he played with Lou Donaldson. I also caught him twice with Dr. Lonnie Smith. What do you think of his playing?I like Pete's playing, and he's a gentleman. I know him since he's 21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 (edited) Streaming video right now ... I take it back - it went black just as he was starting. Edited July 15, 2009 by Dan Gould Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted July 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 I guess he didn't want his performance streaming to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Peter Bernstein had a very interesting CD released not long ago. It's a trio date titled MONK on the Xanadu label. Peter's approach to Monk tunes is rather unique and well worth hearing. I had an opportunity to hear Bernstein play live a couple of years ago at a Jazz Party and he was highly impressive. At this point, Peter Bernstein is one of my favorite living guitar players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted July 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 He was great last night. I will be going back next Wednesday to Smalls. He will be playing solo again. I wonder if he will have a different set list? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 (edited) I like his playing - very beautiful guitar sound, still very defined, a good feeling for melody, not so technically orientated, but striving for musical statements. It's hard to compile an organ BFT without constantly stepping over him. I will check out that Monk disc. Sound clips indicate it might be the better disc compared to Bobby Broom's. Who's playing bass and drums? Edited July 17, 2009 by mikeweil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 played that monk disc five or six times this week, much more "guitaristic" than i'd have expected from bernstein, haven't heard the broom one... but this here is great, trio with doug weiss on bass and bill stewart on drums... ( http://www-v3.deezer.com/de/#music/result/...ernstein%20monk ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe G Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 played that monk disc five or six times this week, much more "guitaristic" than i'd have expected from bernstein, haven't heard the broom one... but this here is great, trio with doug weiss on bass and bill stewart on drums... ( http://www-v3.deezer.com/de/#music/result/...ernstein%20monk ) Sounds GREAT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 1960 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I just recently became hip to Peter Bernstein's playing via his sideman dates on the Criss Cross label. I guess better late than never? His work with Melvin Rhyne for example is superb. I really dig what this guy is doing. Sticking with the Criss Cross label for now, any thoughts on his dates as a leader? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFrank Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 He seems to be the first call guitarist in New York, because just about every time I've seen a mainstream group at a club in New York in the last four or five years and there is a guitarist, it is Peter Bernstein. At first I thought he was competent but kind of bland, but I've found him to be more distinctive the last few times I've seen him and am liking him more and more (though I haven't bought one of his leader CDs yet). I've only seen him once, and "bland" was my impression. But considering all the comments here and the fact that he IS a first call guitarist, I should revisit some of his albums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted January 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 He seems to be the first call guitarist in New York, because just about every time I've seen a mainstream group at a club in New York in the last four or five years and there is a guitarist, it is Peter Bernstein. At first I thought he was competent but kind of bland, but I've found him to be more distinctive the last few times I've seen him and am liking him more and more (though I haven't bought one of his leader CDs yet). I've only seen him once, and "bland" was my impression. But considering all the comments here and the fact that he IS a first call guitarist, I should revisit some of his albums. If Sonny Rollins added him to his band, he can't be shabby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I just recently became hip to Peter Bernstein's playing via his sideman dates on the Criss Cross label. I guess better late than never? His work with Melvin Rhyne for example is superb. I really dig what this guy is doing. Sticking with the Criss Cross label for now, any thoughts on his dates as a leader? Earthtones on Criss Cross is very good. His work as a sideman with Larry Goldings is some of my favorite. The Monk album is also very good and much more interesting than Broom's Monk album, imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim R Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 His work as a sideman with Larry Goldings is some of my favorite. Me too. Along with "Earth Tones", the Goldings titles "Light Blue" and "Caminhos Cruzados" come to mind as standouts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmjk Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 I just recently became hip to Peter Bernstein's playing via his sideman dates on the Criss Cross label. I guess better late than never? His work with Melvin Rhyne for example is superb. I really dig what this guy is doing. Sticking with the Criss Cross label for now, any thoughts on his dates as a leader? Tom, you may like his Brain Dance date on Criss Cross, which also has Eric Alexander. The version of "You Leave Me Breathless" on that album is something I re-visit often. I like Peter's playing a lot, and I wish I could grab a lesson or two with him. Maybe someday... Anyone hear the newish guy on Criss Cross named Jonathan Kreisberg? Love his phrasing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedwork Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 (edited) Tom, you may like his Brain Dance date on Criss Cross, which also has Eric Alexander. The version of "You Leave Me Breathless" on that album is something I re-visit often. I like Peter's playing a lot, and I wish I could grab a lesson or two with him. Maybe someday... when i lived in nyc he was very open to giving lessons. he had a regular gig at Smoke and you could just walk up and ask him. he is, of course, very busy, but he seemed like a very personable fellow. you should ask him for lessons. my opinion: he's one of the best jazz guitar players alive. he's not necessarily an innovative game-changer on his instrument like, say, frisell, davis, metheny, hendrix, tyner, etc... but for straight-ahead jazz blues, in the pocket standards, "tasty" interpretations of great tunes, he's basically 2nd to none in my mind. amazing player w/ a BEAUTIFUL tone. Edited January 11, 2012 by thedwork Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranemonk Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 I generally concur... He's got a new CD out on the Smallslive label... Good one! Tom, you may like his Brain Dance date on Criss Cross, which also has Eric Alexander. The version of "You Leave Me Breathless" on that album is something I re-visit often. I like Peter's playing a lot, and I wish I could grab a lesson or two with him. Maybe someday... when i lived in nyc he was very open to giving lessons. he had a regular gig at Smoke and you could just walk up and ask him. he is, of course, very busy, but he seemed like a very personable fellow. you should ask him for lessons. my opinion: he's one of the best jazz guitar players alive. he's not necessarily an innovative game-changer on his instrument like, say, frisell, davis, metheny, hendrix, tyner, etc... but for straight-ahead jazz blues, in the pocket standards, "tasty" interpretations of great tunes, he's basically 2nd to none in my mind. amazing player w/ a BEAUTIFUL tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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