Bernard Wright

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

Wright was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York.In the liner notes to his debut album Nard, he states that his mother is Lessie Wright. He attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York. Classmates included writer Carl Hancock Rux, gospel recording artist Desiree Coleman Jackson, and rappers Slick Rick and Dana Dane. He was offered a slot touring with Lenny White when he was 13, and he played with Tom Browne at the age of 16.

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. 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. In 1990 he released the gospel album Fresh Hymns. In 2000 he formed a trio with Alfredo Elias and Damon Banks and released the album Back To Our Roots.

Wright has also appeared on recordings by musicians such as Miami Mike Devine Pennington, Doug E. Fresh, Cameo, Bobby Brown, Pieces of a Dream, Charles Earland, Marcus Miller, and Miles Davis.

Since his recording days, Wright has continued playing keyboards in Dallas, where he mentors younger artists.

Albums

Singles