Marc Bernstein - Kibrick (2019)

An impactful presence on the European scene over the past 20+ years, and 10 on the NYC scene before that, saxophone/bass clarinetist, composer, bandleader and educator Marc Bernstein has immersed himself in such a wide array of music with his bands KIBRICK, Good People, Out Of The Blue, Radical…but NOT…Fanatical, Voice and Baritone, Cameron/Bernstein 5 and Our Colours that he defies simple categorisation. Bernstein has played and recorded as a bandleader with musical innovators ranging from Tom Harrell, Billy Hart, Billy Cobham, David Kikoski and Bob Moses to Marc Ducret, Jacob Anderskov, Anders Trentemøller, Kasper Tranberg and Stefan Pasborg.

Bernstein has produced ten albums as a leader. His critically acclaimed CD “Meet The Kibricks” landed on many best-of-lists, including those of The Danish National Radio and The New York Times, who wrote; “Even with the acclaim he has received for his recordings, Bernstein is just as renowned for his dynamic performances. Brooklyn-born and now Denmark-dwelling saxophonist Marc Bernstein isn’t a name heard often enough, but judging him on terms of his work with his wonderful Kibrick group, he deserves serious consideration.”

Born in Brooklyn, NY to children of Ukrainian and Polish immigrants, Bernstein is widely regarded for his original playing and riveting stage presence which is hugely influenced by his grandparents history as Eastern European immigrants to the USA during the start of the turbulent 20th century and the effect that their “escape”, roots, culture, music and traditions had on their (and his) lives. Marc also started going to the Village Vanguard, Sweet Basil and 7th Ave South regularly as a young aspirant to hear, amongst others: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, James Moody, Gil Evans Big Band, George Coleman, The Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius and Billy Hart. Upon graduation from Berklee College of Music in 1984, Marc had been inspired further by hearing great Bostonians like Roy Haynes, Mick Goodrick, Jerry Bergonzi, Herb Pomeroy, and his sax mentors Jimmy Mosher and George Garzone.