Al Berard
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (January 2010) |
Al Berard (1960–2014) was a Cajun musician, recording artist, and composer in addition to being considered a world-renowned cajun fiddler.
Berard, influenced by the Cajun songs heard as a young child growing up in South Louisiana, began playing guitar at age eleven. As a student at Cecilia High School, his musical talents allowed him to become an active member of the school's concert band in addition to performing as lead guitarist in a local rock band which he founded.[1]
After graduation, Berard founded The Basin Brothers Band, performing a repertoire of country, traditional and original Cajun French music at festivals, clubs, and workshops throughout the United States and in Europe. The Basin Brothers strived to promote and preserve Cajun culture and music.[1]
Berard owned a recording studio in addition to a music publishing company - OPLAMAE Music/BMI. His work included composition, production, recording and editing for television and film in addition to his involvement with the Basin Brothers and other Louisiana bands and projects.[1] He resided in Cecilia, Louisiana.
Al died February 26, 2014 in Lafayette, LA, after suffering an aneurysm the previous night.[1]
Discography
- 2014 Incredible Journey
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Let's Get Cajun"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Stayin Cajun"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Mulate's Presents: The Basin Brothers"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Dans La Louisiane"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Deux Violons"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Fait a la Main"
- Al Berard and Errol Verret; :"C'est Dans La Sang Cadjin"
- Al Berard; "Al Berard and Friends"
- Al Berard and Karen England; "Feet Off The Ground"
- Selected Recordings
- The Basin Brothers
- 2007 Cajun Fiddles (Acadiana ACD 0157) engineer, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, vocals
- 1996 Dans La Louisiane (Rounder CD 7065) co-producer, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals
- 1993 Basin Brothers (Bayou Teche) fiddle, electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
- 1991 Stayin’ Cajun (Flying Fish FF 70581) co-producer, fiddle, guitar, vocals
- 1990 Let’s Get Cajun (Flying Fish FF 70539) producer, arranger, fiddle, lead guitar, mandolin, vocals
- 1984 “Now and Then”/”Rowdy Night” (45rpm, Showtime 1066) fiddle
- Berard Family Band
- 2006 Berard Family Band (Old Man Records 8631-2) producer, guitar, mandolin, vocals
- Drew Landry and the Dirty Cajuns
- 2006 Tailgaten Relief & Hurricane Companion EP (Drew Landry) producer, fiddle, guitar, bass
- Hadley J. Castille and the Louisiana Cajun Band
- 1993 Cajun Swamp Fiddler (Swallow SW 6112-2) guitar, mandolin, vocals
- Filé
- 1982 Left Feet (Flying Fish FF 70507) electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
- Solo and Duo Projects
- 2006 Al Berard & Jason Frey, Old Style Cajun Music (Acadiana ACD 0155) fiddle, guitar, vocals
- 2000 Al Berard & Karen England, Feet Off the Ground (Swallow SW 6162) co-producer, fiddle, vocals
- 1999 Al Berard and friends play Cajun music from the heart (Swing Cat), producer, performer
- 1994 Al Berard & Errol Verret, C’est dans le sang Cadjin (Swallow SW 6114-2) co-producer, fiddle, guitar, vocals, mandolin
- Compilation credits
- 2002 Cajun Music: The Essential Collection (Rounder 1166-11604-2), Al Berard & The Basin Brothers
- 2001 Cajun Sweet Home Louisiana (Cooking Vinyl/Spinart Gumbo CD 020), performer (solo and with The Basin Brothers)
- 2001 Cajun (Putumayo World Music PUT 184-2) Al Berard & Errol Verret
- 1998 Cajun & zydeco festival (Rounder ED 7067) Al Berard & the Basin Brothers
- 1998 Cajun Cookin’ (Rounder ED 7043) Al Berard & the Basin Brothers
- 1997 Cajun Greats (Rounder ED 7012), Al Berard & the Basin Brothers
- 1997 Bayou Beat (Rounder ED 7053), Al Berard & the Basin Brothers
- 1994 More Music from Northern Exposure (MCA ) song “Un Mariage Cassé”
- Other recording credits
- 2007 Nolton Simien, La Danse Finis Pas: Classic Louisiana Creole Music (Al Berard Studios)
- 2005 Lee Benoit, Ma Petite Femme (Old Man 7935-2) electric slide guitar, acoustic guitar, fiddle, mandolin
- 2004 Robert Leblanc, Allons à la veille chez Robert (Swallow SW-6184), performer
- 2001 Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys, Au Coup d’Éclair (Swallow SW-6183) elec. guitar
- 2001 Pope Huval, Chante Ti Garçon (Swallow SW-6168) producer, editor, performer
- 2001 Sacaulait, Sac-à-lait Jig (Swallow SW-6165), fiddle
- 2001 T-Mamou Band Cajun and creole jam (Swallow SW 6160), producer, performer
- 2000 Lee Benoit, Dis 'n' Dat (MTE 5068-2) fiddle
- 1999 L’esprit de la Louisiane (Over the Moon Productions OMT-1943), guitar, bass, dulcimer
- 1999 Becca Begneaud, Merci pour le cadeau (Ame de Louisiane ADL-5001), arranger
- 1999 Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band, Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band play traditional style Cajun music (Swallow SW-6156) fiddle
- 1999 Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 3 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle
- 1999 Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 2 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, vocals, guitar (with The Traiteurs and with Big Pecan and The Assorted Nuts)
- 1999 Native Sons Native Sons (Latanier 5011) mandolin
- 1998 Alain Gatay with Trans Bayou Express, On est après rouler! (France, CZML 0398)
- 1998 How’s Bayou, Pardon my French (Artdeco), fiddle, electric guitar
- 1998 Martin Swinger, Scrapbook
- 1998 Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 1 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, guitar (solo and with The Basin Brothers)
- 1997 Camey Doucet, Mom, I’m still your little boy (Swallow, SW-6140)
- 1995 Hélène Boudreaux, Pete Bergeron Une deuxième Chance (Swallow SW6120-2), performer
- 1995 John Dubois, Bayou Ballads (Chaud Dog Jean) guitar
- 1991 John Dubois, Rendezvous Louisianais (Chaud Dog Jean) acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, background vocals
- 1990s Trans Bayou Express, Voyage dans le pays Cajun (France, TRE1LA99) fiddle, guitar, vocals
References
- ^ a b c d "Al Berard, masterful Cajun musician, has died". theind.com. 26 February 2014.
