Peter Bernstein Quartet

A New York City native, Peter Bernstein has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. Bernstein has played on festival, concert, and club stages worldwide and has appeared on over 300 recordings; 14 under his own name. Bernstein’s other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins.

Jazzizz magazine says this about Bernstein, “Peter Bernstein produces a warm, ringing, muscular tone which echoes that of such giants as Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Kenny Burrell.”

The Los Angeles Daily News states, “The jazz guitarist [Peter Bernstein], among the most sought after in the New York area, has a feather-light touch, an encyclopedic knowledge of chords and the ability to play standards like he’s inventing them on the spot.”

His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is “Better Angels”, and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

Performing with Bernstein at The Drake on March 7 will be Aaron Goldberg on piano, Vicente Archer on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Farnsworth, a South Hadley native, headlined the 2023 Northampton Jazz Festival with his “Max Roach Centennial Celebration,” a sold-out performance at The Academy of Music.

“We’re thrilled to bring the great Peter Bernstein to the Valley with his equally talented band mates,” says Griggs. “We especially love having Joe Farnsworth back in town; he brings a love and enthusiasm for Western Mass like no other jazz musician I’ve ever seen.”

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. For more information and tickets visit thedrakeamherst.org

Amherst Oyster Bar is the sponsor of the Peter Bernstein Quartet. The restaurant will donate 20% of dinner-service profits on March 7th to the Northampton Jazz Festival. In addition, guests who present their tickets to the Peter Bernstein Quartet while dining at the Amherst Oyster Bar on March 7 will receive six complimentary oysters per ticket (selection determined by Amherst Oyster Bar).