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Bernie Kenerson featured at annual CJA Fathers Day concert
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Innovator and multi-instrumentalist, Bernie Kenerson says it’s time to bring the Akai EWI 4000s out to the forefront and give it some r-e-s-p-e-c-t! You will be able to witness his talent and ability at the Coastal Jazz Association Annual Fathers’ Day Concert on June 15.

Kenerson is a producer, composer and arranger who plays many different electric wind instruments, saxophones, flutes, clarinets and keyboards. He began playing clarinet at age 7, sax at age 10 and flute at age 13. His professional career started at age 16 in his hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

He joined the U. S. Army at age 17 and has 14 years experience as an instrumentalist and arranger in Army bands. His musical studies include a two-year professional diploma from Berklee College of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from Appalachian State University where he formed the Neo-jazz band, “Slipstream,” whose self produced album ‘Afterglow’ received Downbeat magazine’s 1982 DeeBee award for best college group. Kenerson received an Outstanding Soloist award on Lyricon.

In the late ’80s and early ’90s, Kenerson lived in Brussels, Belgium, where he performed in a variety of groups at concerts and festivals throughout western Europe, Scandinavia and Morocco.

It was then back to the U.S. and a regular gig at the Jasmine Supper Club in Myrtle Beach where he performed nightly and shared the stage with jazz artists’ Gato Barbieri, Kim Waters, The Yellowjackets, Joe Beck, Bob James and the legendary Jimmy Smith.  

He can also be heard on many beach music CDs, including 11 that made the Beach Music top 100 and has received three Cammy Awards. Kenerson began performing on electric wind instruments in April 1978 with the Lyricon and currently plays the new Akai EWI 4000s as his main instrument and displays a wealth of expression and artistry on this unique electric horn.

His new CD release “Just You & Me” (The Art of the EWI) merges a traditional jazz approach with original contemporary jazz compositions which feature the EWI as the lead instrument with a wonderful live rhythm section.

Kenerson is a pleasure to hear no matter what horn he has in his hands and his EWI playing is exciting and refreshing.

The Coastal Jazz Association’s Annual Fathers’ Day Concert will be held June 15 at 5 p.m. at Four Points by Sheraton Historic Savannah, 520 West Bryan St. (at the corner of Bryan and MLK). The concert is free for Coastal Jazz Association members and $10 for non-members.

Attendees who join CJA while at the concert will also be admitted for free. For more information call (912) 675-5419 or go to www.coastal-jazz.org