Woo Warrior

"Doctor Woo's Jazzy Funky Orchestra"

Hall of Famer Bernie Worell premiers his orchestra in NYC.

By BRIAN PACE  of the PACE REPORT

 

(Be sure to check out the full video report in the attached video section.)

Pianist and Keyboardist Bernie Worrell is probably one of the most important and innovative musicians to help shape and mold funk, jazz, classical, and rock n roll in American popular music. This Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, along with Eddie Hazel, William “Bootsie” Collins, and George Clinton changed the world musically by adding a new musical genre by playing a more aggressive form of music that added the use of electronics as well as an extensive use of percussion to the mix.  The groups Parliament-Funkadelic would become a musical amalgamation that played rock and soul that evolved into funk music. Worrell would go on to become the arranger and co-writer of the groups songs including “Flashlight,” Give Up the Funk,” “Mothership Connection,” and  “Aqua Boogie.” His signature Minimoog and many keyboard arrangements have been sampled endlessly by rappers including De La Soul, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and A Tribe Called Quest.  In face, Worrell is the most sampled musician of all time.

His latest project is both a labor of love as well as something he’s wanted to record during his entire career. “Bernie Worrell: Standards,” is his first jazz recording in a career that spans some 45 years. Bernie enlisted the help of drummer Evan Taylor, who also serves as the co-producer of the disc, to also put together his new group The Bernie Worrell Orchestra.  As his producer, both Taylor and Worrell endlessly put together a list of jazz standards ranging from Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train” to Dave Brubeck’s “Take 5.”  But the project allows him to play behind a nine-piece band that features two drummers, a percussionist, two saxophonists, a trumpeter, a bassist, and guitarist. It’s a funky and organic project that allows the master keyboardist to ‘funk out’ these jazz standards.

These songs aren’t a far departure from Bernie’s origins and beginning in the industry. Born George Bernard Worrell, Jr on April 19, 1944 in Long Branch, New Jersey, he grew up listening to classical and jazz music as a child. He was born with perfect pitch and began studying classical music at 3 years old. By playing the piano, his mother wouldn’t allow the young musical prodigy listen to the sounds of rhythm and blues that was popular at the time. Instead, he had to sneak and listen to R&B while studying Brahms, Beethoven, and Bach. Though he listened to jazz music which he took a liking to and followed pianists like Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, and Bud Powell.

Upon graduating from high school, Bernie attended the New England Conservatory of Music. But it was while he was in school that he was getting his chops as a professional musician while playing in Boston. He backed the likes of Tavares, Tammi Terrell, Pigmeat Markham, and R & B great Maxine Brown; whom he became her musical director for 2 years after he completed school.

But it was his reign with Parliament that he gave the music world his innovative keyboard style. He also was a member the new wave group The Talking Heads and was featured in the critically-acclaimed concert film “Stop Making Sense.”

Bernie has been a leader since the late 1970’s when he recorded and released his debut album “All the Woo in the World.” He’s backed and played on recordings by The Honey Cones, Johnnie Taylor, Black Rock Johnson, Freda Payne, Albert King, Bobby Womack, The Dramatics, Mtume, The Spinners, Gil-Scott Heron, and Sly & Robbie.

(Be sure to check out the full video report in the attached video section.)

UPCOMING APPEARANCES WITH BERNIE WORRELL:

October 22 2011 Saturday, October 22 2011 10:00pm
Bernie as Special Guest w/Volts Per Octave in Portland, OR

Location : Ted's (formerly Berbati's Pan), 231 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, OR

October 25 2011 Tuesday, October 25 2011 07:30pm
Bernie as Special Guest at Fundraiser at Apollo Theater

 
October 27 2011 Thursday, October 27 2011 11:00pm
Bernie Worrell Orchestra @ Bitter End, NYC, NY
 
October 29 2011 Saturday, October 29 2011
WesNWorrell in Ohio
Location : 12001 Route 282, Nelson Ledge Road, Garrettsville, OH 44231 

November 04 2011 Friday, November 04 2011 08:00am
Bernie Special Guest w/Steve Kimock & Friends
Location : Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211 (718)963-3369 

November 05 2011 Saturday, November 05 2011 08:00pm
Bernie as Special Guest w/Steve Kimock & Friends
Location : Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211 (718)963-3369 

December 16 and 17 2011   Chicago IL
Bernie as Special Guest w/Steve Kimock & Friends

Location:  MARTYR's 2855 N Lincoln Avenue Chicago IL:   WSG:  Fareed Haque and MathGames!

 

Currently, Bernie is on the road with the orchestra. For upcoming dates or to order his latest disc “Bernie Worrell: Standards,” please visit him on the web at bernieworrell.com.