Better Angels Peter Bernstein

• 1 Perpetual Pendulum 06:28
• 2 Ditty for Dewey 06:11
• 3 You Go to My Head 06:17
• 4 Born to Be Blue 02:54
• 5 Better Angels 05:53
• 6 Hazel Eyes 06:08
• 7 No Problem 05:53
• 8 Lament 03:47
• Total Runtime 43:31

Info for Better Angels

It would be accurate to say that the quartet that Peter Bernstein has assembled for his remarkable new album is making its debut, but it would also be more than a little misleading. While it’s true that this all-star group – which teams the acclaimed guitarist with pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Vicente Archer, and legendary drummer Al Foster – had never played together prior to recording BETTER ANGELS, its members all share deep and long-standing relationships.

The result is the best of both worlds: striking interplay that can’t help but thrive on the chemistry generated by the various connections, combined with the high-wire energy derived from delving into the unknown. BETTER ANGELS extends that combination of the comfortable and the unfamiliar to Bernstein’s choice of repertoire, which pairs thoughtfully selected standards with bold new original compositions.

“Since this was our first time playing together, I wanted to play some things that are common ground for everybody,” Bernstein explains. “But I also wanted to document some new tunes while they’re still fresh. Hear these guys react to music that's new – and then reacting to their reactions – is really the fun of it for me.”

“Let's see what happens when we put these elements together,” was the spirit of the session as expressed by Bernstein, the thrill of experimentation still evident in his voice long after the date was so successfully completed. “It’s always a learning experience.”

“His technique is amazing, using a seamless combination of single-line and chordal playing, and his harmonic ingenuity is endless.” (The Guardian)

Peter Bernstein, guitar
Brad Mehldau, piano
Vicente Archer, bass
Al Foster, drums

Produced by Paul Stache & Damon Smith
Recording by Chris Allen
Recording Assisted by Ben Miller
Mixing by Chris Allen & Paul Stache
Mastering by Chris Allen
Executive Producers: Paul Stache & Molly Johnson

Peter Bernstein
Born September 3rd, 1967 in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in over 60 recordings and numerous festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has made five recordings for the Criss Cross Jazz label. The latest, Heart's Content, features the all-star rhythm section of Brad Mehldau, Larry Grenadier, and Bill Stewart.While a student at The New School, Peter met the legendary guitarist Jim Hall, who asked him to participate in his Invitational Concert as part of the 1990 JVC Jazz Festival. The event featured such guitarists as John Scofield and Pat Metheny and was released as a CD by Music Masters. Hall once noted that Peter &has paid attention to the past as well as the future. He is the most impressive young guitarists I've heard. He plays the best of them all for swing, logic, feel and taste.That same year, Peter was discovered by alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson and took part in the first of four recordings with him. He was a regular member of his group throughout the 1990s. Some people just have it. Donaldson said. &most of the time you have to teach someone what to do, but Peter knows it all.Peter has also played with legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb (Cobb's Mob), organist Larry Goldings, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Melvin Rhyne, drummer Bill Stewart, Joshua Redman, Diana Krall, Nicholas Payton, Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell, and Eric Alexander and performed in North America, Europe and Asia and making numerous television appearances.Peter has taught at the Julliard School, Berklee College of Music, North Texas State University, the New School Jazz Program and the Jazz Conservatory in Amsterdam.Peter has been fortunate to gain the respect of his peers and mentors. He has been recognized in both the readers' and critics' polls in Downbeat Magazine for the past three years. He continues to hone his style through writing and performing and has developed a distinctive and unforgettable guitar voice that is all his own.

"Peter’s an extremely elegant musician with a gorgeous tone that seems to relax you when you hear it" - The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles

"The jazz guitarist, among the most sought after in the New York area, has a feather-light touch, an encyclopedic knowledge of chords and the ability to play standards like he’s inventing them on the spot." - The Los Angeles Daily News

"Mr. Bernstein is a fluidly improvising guitarist in the post-bop tradition, with control over harmony and a beautiful sound." - The New York Times

"Peter Bernstein produces a warm, ringing, muscular tone which echoes that of such giants as Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Kenny Burrell." - Jazziz

This album contains no booklet.