Jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein has been on the scene of New York and around the world since 1989. He has participated in numerous recordings and performances with musicians of all generations. Born in New York City in 1967, Bernstein began playing piano at the age of 8, but switched to guitar at the age of 13, teaching himself primarily by ear. He studied jazz at Rutgers University with Ted Dunbar and Kenny Barron. While a student at the New School in New York, he met guitarist Jim Hall, who offered him a job as a featured artist at the JVC Jazz Festival in 1990.
Peter Bernstein released his first album as a leader with pianist Brad Meldau. As a sideman, the former has appeared in groups led by Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson, George Coleman, Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Fathead Newman, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Diana Krall, Lee Konitz, Jimmy Cobb and many more. Current projects include his album, Monk, with Doug Weiss and Bill Stewart, a recently released solo record, Solo Guitar – Live at Smalls, and the highly acclaimed organ trio with organist Larry Goldings and drummer Bill Stewart. In 2008, Bernstein became part of the Blue Note 7, a group formed that year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records. The lineup recorded the album Mosaic. Bernstein plays Zeidler archtop guitar almost exclusively. The guitar was manufactured back in 1981.
Peter Bernstein’s 2020 album What Comes Next reflects a question we all would ask ourselves back then. “Locked up, afraid to leave our homes during a global pandemic, divided by politics and protests during a controversial US presidential election – any one of these issues – if not solved – would forcast an uncertain future.”