Musician: Bernie Arai
Bernie Arai’s career as a performer, recording artist and educator spans styles from jazz to electronic music to Japanese taiko. He works regularly with some of Canada’s most accomplished musicians. Born, raised and based in Vancouver, Bernie has performed across the country with various ensembles, and has toured across Canada, the U.S., Japan and Europe.
While studying engineering physics at the University of British Columbia, Bernie played drums in the UBC big band and gigged around town. After transferring to the Jazz Studies program at North Vancouver’s Capilano College, he studied with percussionist Ken Moore and jazz drummers Dave Robbins and Dylan van der Schyff. Bernie has also studied with New York jazz drummers Ian Froman and Bill Stewart.
Now Bernie leads his own ensembles, most recently his trio The Big Much featuring Dave Sikula on guitar and Chad Makela on baritone saxophone, and an electronic noise collective called Abort,Retry, Fail.
He remains in demand as an accompanist and band member for many legendary musicians from across Canada and around the world, appearing in concert at numerous music festivals worldwide, and on CBC Jazzbeat and Hot Air sessions. He has even had the opportunity to guest host CBC’s long running radio show Hot Air on two occasions.
The newly released “the perilous beauty of madness” by Dark Blue World features Bernie’s drumming and has already received rave reviews. Bernie plays on the latest CD from the quartet Altered Laws, entitled “Metaphora” was nominated for the 2007 Juno for Best Contemporary Jazz Recording. In March 2006 Cellar Live Records released Bernie’s first recording as co-leader and producer featuring his sextet Ugetsu. Other recent recordings featuring Bernie’s playing include discs by Jennifer Scott (“Mile 41″), and the Fred Stride Jazz Orchestra (“Forward Motion”).
