2026 8th edition FESTIVAL Jazz and More 12/08 20:30 WILL BERNARD TRIO

WILL BERNARD TRIO WILL BERNARD GUITAR · ALAIN MARTIN DOUBLE BASS · JIMMY WEINSTEIN DRUMS. PRESS KIT Will Bernard is an American guitarist, composer and bandleader, renowned for his extraordinary versatility and for blending jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, world music and experimental music. Bill Milkowski described him as one of the most powerful, though little-recognised, guitarists of the post-Bill Frisell and John Scofield scene. He began his international career with Peter Apfelbaum’s Hieroglyphics Ensemble, taking part in its recording debut alongside Don Cherry. Over the years, he has collaborated with artists including Dr. Lonnie Smith, Tom Waits, Dr. John, Booker T. Jones, John Medeski, Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore and George Porter Jr., as well as being part of projects such as T.J. Kirk, Stanton Moore Trio and Robert Walter’s 20th Congress. As a leader, he has released numerous albums, including Medicine Hat, Motherbug, Directions to My House, Party Hats — nominated for a Grammy in 2008 —, Blue Plate Special, Outdoor Living and several releases for Posi-Tone Records. His most recent productions include Freelance Subversives (2020), Pondlife (2022) and Sky (2023). With an extensive international career, Bernard has performed at major festivals including Monterey, North Sea, SF Jazz, Jazz à Vienne and Montreal, as well as at numerous venues across the United States, Europe and Canada. His style combines roots in traditional jazz with funk, soul, free improvisation and an experimental attitude, making him a particularly versatile and creative musician. “The beats delivered by this quartet are morbidly obese, the guitar playing is full of sly twists, and the net result is a jazz album with all the hipster elan of a “66 Dodge Polara” – Guitar Player Magazine “Will Bernard’s Blue Plate Special features a veritable supergroup of modern jazz” – All About Jazz “smooth yet probing hollowbody…greasy keyboards….bang on a can drums….snappy bass” – Downbeat Magazine