Peter Bernstein

Biography

Born in New York City on September 3, 1967, Bernstein began playing piano when he was eight but switched to guitar when he was thirteen, learning the instrument primarily by ear. He studied jazz at Rutgers University with Ted Dunbar, and Kenny Barron.

While a student at the New School in New York City, he met guitarist Jim Hall, who offered him a job performing at the JVC Jazz Festival in 1990. He then appeared on albums with Jesse Davis, Lou Donaldson, Larry Goldings, Michael Hashim, Geoff Keezer, and Melvin Rhyne. He released his first album as a leader with pianist Brad Mehldau. He has also worked with Jimmy Cobb, Tom Harrell, Diana Krall, Lee Konitz, Eric Alexander, Joshua Redman, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Walt Weiskopf.

In 2008, Bernstein became part of the Blue Note 7, a septet formed that year in honor of the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records. The group recorded the album Mosaic.

Bernstein plays a Zeidler archtop guitar almost exclusively. The guitar was made in 1981.

Discography

As leader

Somethin's Burnin' (Criss Cross, 1994)

Signs of Life (Criss Cross, 1995)

Brain Dance (Criss Cross, 1996)

April in New York (Jardis, 1998)

Earth Tones with Larry Goldings, Bill Stewart (Criss Cross, 1998)

We Remember Tal with Gene Bertoncini, Mundell Lowe, Jack Wilkins (J-Curve, 1999)

Stranger in Paradise (Venus, 2003)

Heart's Content (Criss Cross, 2003)

Guitars Alone with Satoshi Inoue (What'sNew, 2003)

You'll See with the Anniversary Quartet (Cellar Live, 2005)

In Orbit with Planet Jazz (Sharp Nine, 2006)

Monk (Xanadu, 2008)

Peter Bernstein Quartet: Live at Smalls (SmallsLIVE, 2008)

Live at Smalls with Planet Jazz (Off Minor, 2010)

Live at Smalls with Larry Goldings, Bill Stewart (SmallsLIVE, 2011)

Dialogues with Joachim Schoenecker (2012)

Live at Cory Weeds' Cellar Jazz Club with the Tilden Webb Trio (Cellar Live, 2013)

Solo Guitar Live at Smalls (SmallsLIVE, 2013)

As a member

M.T.B.

With Brad Mehldau and Mark Turner

Consenting Adults (Criss Cross, 2000) – rec. 1994

Solid Jackson (Criss Cross, 2024) – rec. 2023

As sideman

With Eric Alexander

Tell It Like It Is (Criss Cross, 1994)

Full Range (Criss Cross, 1995)

Aztec Blues (Criss Cross, 1997)

Alexander the Great (HighNote, 2000)

With Ralph Bowen

Soul Proprietor (Criss Cross, 2001)

Five (Criss Cross, 2008)

With Jimmy Cobb

Only for the Pure of Heart (Fable/Lightyear, 1998)

Cobb's Groove (Milestone, 2003)

The Original Mob (Smoke Sessions, 2014)

This I Dig of You (Smoke Sessions, 2019)

With Jesse Davis

As We Speak (Concord Jazz, 1992)

Young at Art (Concord Jazz, 1993)

First Insight (Concord Jazz, 1998)

With Steve Davis

Vibe Up! (Criss Cross, 1998)

Update (Criss Cross, 2006)

With Lou Donaldson

Play the Right Thing (Milestone, 1991)

Birdseed (Milestone, 1992)