Bernard Wright
Bernard Wright | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 16, 1963 Jamaica, Queens, New York |
| Genres | Post-disco[1] Contemporary R&B[1] Post-bop[1] Crossover jazz[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, artist |
| Instrument | Keyboards |
| Labels | Manhattan/EMI Records Arista GRP/MCA Records |
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.
Biography
Wright was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York. [2] In the liner notes to his debut album Nard, he states that his mother is Lessie Wright.[3] He attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York.[4] Classmates included writer Carl Hancock Rux, gospel recording artist Desiree Coleman Jackson. 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, 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) on Arista and Mr. Wright (1985) on Manhattan Records. 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.[7] In 1990 he released the gospel album Fresh Hymns. In 2000 he formed a trio with Alfredo Elias and Damon Banks and released the album Back To Our Roots.[8]
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.[9]
Since his recording days, Wright has continued playing keyboards in Dallas, where he mentors younger artists.[10]
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
- ^ a b c d e Bernard Wright at Allmusic
- ^ Decurtis, Anthony (March 23, 1997). "Two Seasoned Voices, Together Raised for a Cause". New York Times.
- ^ Liner notes, Nard. Arista Records, 1981.
- ^ "Fiorello laguardia alumni". Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ The Wright Stuff. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1985-12-21.
- ^ 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.
