Barry Bernhardt aka 'Big Bear Theory' - guitarist/recording artist/producer.
A long standing member of the anti-cookiecutter society.
ULTRAVIOLET (2008) - futuristic blend of jungle, acid jazz, ethereal rock, idm.
Beats/programming; dj John Daminato, Adam Sieverson. Live drums; Dave Marsalek. Sax; Gabe Patti. Trumpet; Brandon Rizzo.
RENAISSANCE (2007) - an alchemystical blend of avant garde rock, classical and world musics. Featuring Adam Sieverson (composing, arranging, percussions, keyboards), Bob Leone (keyboards), Mark Wardo (drumset, percussions), Tomeka Reid (cello), Brandon Rizzo (recorder).
BOOTIGWA (2005) - organic jazz fusion. Highlighting the songwriting and virtuosity of Chicago bassist Mark Montgomery {Planet Groove, Mozart Street, Melaku & the African Elements}.
LAKE STREET (2004) - hybrid of instrumental rock, psychedelic jazz, acid funk, urban blues. Selected tracks with Chicago jazz greats Nick Tountas (bass), Darren Scorza (drums), & sound artist Adam Sieverson (arrangements, drumset, keys, programming). Also guest performance by Frizz (bass).
UNTIL NOW (2003) - alternative, eclectic pop, rock, funk. Featuring sultry vocalist/lyricist Jenny Mass {The Paisleys, Sweet Elixer}.
WAY BACK WHEN (2002) - underground, psychedelic heavy rock with five different vocalists including Mark Vickery {Sumo}, Rae Christie and the floetry of Abnorm. Bass performances by Frizz and Mr PC.
WAY STATION (2001) - raw, alternative jazz, rock, blues, western swing, rockabilly with sax sensationalist Frank Catalano.
MOZART STREET (2000) - eccentric art-rock/jazz fusion, funk, blues. Features Toby Veach on sax {Bad Dog No Biscuit} and bass monster Mark Montgomery.
LINCOLN PARK WEST (1998) - ethereal jazz/rock guitar solo imagery. Alan Baster {Mr. Blotto} drums ..ed tracks. *Re-released by Loud Dust Recordings in 2003 as 'Ethereal Park'.
Influences
Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Police, Rush, Pat Matheny, Lee Ritenour, Wes Montgomery, Al DiMeola, Carlos Santana, Hendrix, Nuno Bettencourt, Jerry Riggs, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Sumo, Miles Davis,
Sounds Like
organic jazz fusion, instrumental rock, psychedelic jazz, acid funk, urban blues, alternative jazz, eclectic pop, rock, funk, acid jazz, underground, psychedelic heavy rock, raw, western swing, jazz, rockabilly, eccentric art-rock, ethereal orchestrated jazz-rock, guitar solo imagery
Barry Bernhardt a.k.a. "big bear theory" is a guitarist/recording artist/producer based out of Chicago, Il. Conceptual, genre-bending, dreamlike, improvisational, non-commercial, underground, risk taking...
Originally from Marion, IL. Began playing guitar at age 11 & inspired by mid-70's rock acts such as Kiss, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Rush...
He spent the 80's playing material by the Police, the Cars, Def Leopard, Scorpions, Van Halen, Ozzy...
Moving to Chicago in '90, he was exposed to blues, jazz, funk, new-age, improv. jams.
In 1993, while living in an apartment above the "Jazz Bulls" night club in Chicago's neighborhood known as Lincoln Park, Barry got serious about writing and recording original music. Spent the mid-90's being influeneced by all of the great musicians in the underground acid jazz/fusion scene and working on ideas and demo tapes...
First release was in 1998 when he recorded "LINCOLN PARK WEST" -an ethereal, jazz/rock guitar instrumental cd and features Alan Baster (Mr. Blotto) drums ..ed tracks. It's been compared to Joe Satriani, Jeff Beck, Al DiMeola, Pink Floyd... * Re-released as "ETHEREAL PARK" by Loud Dust Recordings.
In 1999 he recorded and produced "MOZART STREET". With the sax being the main solo instrument in this band, Barry's guitar works and writing style are still the driving force behind this eccentric band. Described as art-rock/jazz fusion.
"WAY STATION" was released in 2000 and features Chicago sax great Frank Catalano (Louie Bellson, Brecker Brothers). Blending vintage rock, jazz, blues, and rockabilly- this band takes you on a musical train ride and has been described as alternative jazz.
In 2001, Barry went back to his earlier influences of hard rock and recorded the poetic heaviness of "WAY BACK WHEN". Underground, psychedelic, guitar-centric rock with 5) different vocalists adding elements of metal, grunge, punk, spoken word, rap...
Working with sultry singer Jenny Maas (Sweet Elixir,The Paisleys), Barry released the cd "UNTIL NOW" in 2002. This band creates a broad-range appeal with their eclectic mix of pop/rock/disco-funk. Dreamy, alternative, hippie type retro modern...
"LAKE STREET" was released in 2003 and is full of crazy guitar solos on top of funky grooves of jazz, prog-rock, urban blues and psychedelic ambiance... Appearances by sound architect/ rhythmtist Adam Sieverson and Chicago jazz greats Darren Scorza(drums) & Nick Tountas(bass). ala Miles Davis/Hendrix/Jeff Beck...
2005 brought on the studio recording of "BOOTIGWA" (organic jazz fusion), which acted as a collaboration with bass master, Mark Montgomery. Released in 2006 and brought you analog funk in a digital age! Look for tracks from this release on this myspace site.
"RENAISSANCE" , from 2007, is an original album blending a mix of avant garde rock, classical and world music. Deep and colourfulescapism. It also has an enchanting flavor to it and new-age elements abound. Featuring guests soloists; keys, cello, recorder...
2008 ushers in the electro-acoustic sensation of "ULTRAVIOLET". 9th release
of pshychedelic guitar in a space-age realization. Jungle, acid jazz, experimental laser rock. Many guitar solos w filters, effects, midi, etc.. Eletronic beats and guest Dave Marsalek(live jungle drums). Electrifying funk!
In the works is "ANTI-CHANCE" which takes listeners through a journey of Barry's roots, solidified in hardcore/prog/metal mixed with poetry, live jungle to keep it diverse, inspired, progressive and in the Big Bear vein. This release features Chicago drummer extraordinaire, Dave Marsalek {spizm, trioizm, doppler shift, chicago jungle bop syndicate, steps(74)}.
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