Dave Bernstein

• Active: '90s, 2000s
• Genres: Jazz
• Instrument: Guitar

Biography

Dave Bernstein left California for a couple years to study at Berklee but in 1986 returned to his native state, where he established himself as one of the Bay Area's leading jazz guitarists. Influenced greatly by legends like Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Wayne Shorter, Bernstein grew up in Southern California and attended the University of California at Santa Cruz before traveling east to Boston briefly for Berklee. Over the years he has shared the stage numerous notable players -- Teddy Edwards, Herbie Lewis, Rod Piazza, William Clarke -- and has led many of his own blues and jazz bands. In the early 2000s he led the Dave Bernstein Quartet -- pianist Alan Steger, bassist Chris Amberger, drummer Michael Spencer -- with whom he performed at many revered Bay Area establishments and recorded the C the Blues (2002) album. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide