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Bernard Wright

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This article is about the American singer. For the Northern Irish footballer, see Bernard Wright (footballer). For the English footballer, see Bernie Wright.

Bernard Wright
Bernard Wright (1990)
Bernard Wright (1990)
Background information
Also known asNard
Born(1963-11-16)November 16, 1963
Jamaica, Queens, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 19, 2022(2022-05-19) (aged 58)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
GenresGospel, Post-disco, Jazz, Contemporary R&B
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
InstrumentKeyboards
Years active1980–2022
Labels

Bernard Wright (November 16, 1963 – May 19, 2022) was an American funk and jazz keyboardist and singer who began his career as a session musician and later released four solo albums.

Biography

[edit]

Wright was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York.[1] In the liner notes to his debut album 'Nard, he stated that his mother is Lessie Wright.[2] His godmother was singer Roberta Flack.[3]

He attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York.[4] His classmates included writer Carl Hancock Rux and gospel recording artist Desiree Coleman Jackson. He was offered a slot touring with Lenny White when he was 13, and he played with Tom Browne at the age of 16.[5]

GRP Records signed him in 1981 and released his debut album 'Nard, tracks from which were prominently sampled in hits by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Skee-Lo, and LL Cool J.[6] The album was re-released in 2001. He followed with Funky Beat (1983) on Arista and Mr. Wright (1985) on Manhattan Records. The latter of these albums included his biggest R&B appearance, "Who Do You Love", for which a video was made that is featured in the title sequence of Video Music Box. The female vocalist was Marla Adler.[7] In 1990 he released the gospel album Fresh Hymns, followed by Brand New Gospel Format in 1991, and Fresh Hymns II in 1992. He released an album with Sadao Watanabe, titled Go Straight Ahead' N Make a Left, in 1997. In 2000 he formed a trio with Alfredo Elias and Damon Banks and released the album Back to Our Roots.[8]

Wright also appeared on recordings by musicians including Miami Mike Devine Pennington, Doug E. Fresh, Cameo, Bobby Brown, Pieces of a Dream, Charles Earland, Marcus Miller, and Miles Davis. After his recording days, Wright continued playing keyboards in Dallas, where he mentored younger artists.[9]

Bernard Wright died on May 19, 2022, at the age of 58, after being hit by a car while crossing a street in Dallas. He was married to Anita Wright for nearly 40 years and is survived by his children Bernard Jr., Christopher, and Victoria Wright.[10]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Year Title Peak chart positions
US
[11] 		US
R&B
[11] 		US
Jazz
[11]
1981 'Nard
116
53
7
1983 Funky Beat
—
58
—
1985 Mr. Wright
—
25
—
1990 Fresh Hymns
—
—
—
1991 Brand New Gospel Format
—
—
—
1992 Fresh Hymns II
—
—
—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Peak chart positions
US
R&B
[11] 		US
Dance
[11]
1981 "Just Chillin' Out"
33
85
"Haboglabotribin'"
78
—
1982 "Won't You Let Me Love You"
88
—
1983 "Funky Beat"
39
—
1985 "Who Do You Love"
6
44
"After You"
23
—
"Yo 'Nard"
—
—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References

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  1. ^ Decurtis, Anthony (March 23, 1997). "Two Seasoned Voices, Together Raised for a Cause". The New York Times.
  2. ^ 'Nard (Liner notes). Arista Records. 1981.
  3. ^ Abraham, Mya (May 20, 2022). "Bernard Wright, Funk and Jazz Singer and Godson of Roberta Flack, Dead at 58". Vibe. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  4. ^ "Fiorello laguardia alumni". Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  5. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Bernard Wright Biography". AllMusic.
  6. ^ "Sunday Selection: LL Cool J and Bernard Wright - "Who Do You Love?"". Hip-Hop News, Rumors, Rap Music & Videos |AllHipHop. December 27, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  7. ^ "The Wright Stuff". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 51. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 21, 1985. p. 2. ISSN 0006-2510.
  8. ^ Lopez, Jeff (March 25, 2000). "Bernard Wright returns with jazz trio Too BAD Juna debut". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 13. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 26. ISSN 0006-2510.
  9. ^ Quinn, Peter (November 9, 2014). "10 Questions for Musician Michael League". Theartsdesk.com. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  10. ^ "In Memoriam: Funk, jazz legend Bernard Wright dies at 58". Defender Network. May 25, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Bernard Wright - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
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