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Will Bernard: Ancient Grains

By Kyle Simpler
June 22, 2021
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In the culinary world, ancient grains is a term used to describe grains that have been virtually unchanged for centuries but are often used in modern recipes.

Will Bernard

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Will Bernard uses this idea as a metaphor in his album Ancient Grains. The basic concept is that the instruments used in this recording, such as guitars, organ, amplifiers and drums, are vintage in different ways. Some are actually vintage instruments while others are based on designs of vintage instruments. As with the ancient grains, the players use these older instruments to create their own musical recipes.

Bernard has been recording since the 1980s. He has worked with an impressive list of performers including

Don Cherry

trumpet
1936 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Cherry,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

The Funky Meters

" data-original-title="" title="">The Funky Meters,

Tom Waits

piano and vocals
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Waits,

John Scofield

guitar
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">John Scofield and

Jimmy McGriff

organ, Hammond B3
1936 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy McGriff. His experience covers a range of musical genres, including jazz, funk, hip-hop and non-Western music. With Ancient Grains, Bernard draws from his background to create a cool modern take on more traditional sounds and styles.

The album features Bernard on guitar, along with

Sam Yahel

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Yahel on organ, and

Donald Edwards

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Donald Edwards on drums. These are all great players, and there's a definite chemistry among them. It's easy to see how these musicians have been schooled in the traditions, but they are also building from those traditions to explore new territory. In keeping with the ancient grains concept, this classic jazz trio setting produces some super cool, funky grooves seasoned with an occasional twist.

Most of the songs included on this album are original compositions. As Bernard describes it, the songs "draw on old forms and feelings that have been reworked in my own slightly skewed way." It's not free jazz or avant-garde, but it's not entirely traditional either. Take the opener "Dry Land Tourist," for example. This tight and funky groove seems like it could have come straight out of

The Meters

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">The Meters' playbook. At the same time, there's a little uncertainty to this 6/4 rhythm. It has an inventive and playful quality that isn't all that predictable. It is, as Bernard describes it, "slippery funk."

This idea of "slippery funk" comes across in many of the songs on Ancient Grains, including the title track, "Mazurka Tree" and "Trilobite." There is an appealing uniqueness to these songs, much like some of

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk's compositions. This is not surprising, considering that Bernard considers Monk to be his "gateway into the world of straight-ahead jazz." He even covers the Monk song "Boo Boo's Birthday" here.

The album isn't limited to just upbeat funky jazz. Some of the songs have a very soulful and contemplative feel, and the song "Stone Valley" is a perfect example. Yahel's organ has a gospel-inspired sound, which highlights the soulful tone of the tune. This song is something of a tribute to Bernard's father who had recently passed. It's also a reflection about how quickly the world changes.

Ancient Grains offers a healthy mixture of funky, soulful and straight-ahead tunes. Bernard shows how creating new sounds doesn't mean abandoning established traditions. As with the actual ancient grains, many traditions can be effectively repurposed into a tasty musical entr��e.

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Track Listing

Dry Land Tourist; Ancient Grains; Five Finger Discount; Pleasure Seekers; Stone Valley; Trilobite; Boo Boo's Birthday; Mazurka Tree; Temescal; Right As Rain; Wake Up Call

Personnel

Will Bernard

guitar

Sam Yahel

organ, Hammond B3

Donald Edwards

drums

Album information

Title: Ancient Grains | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Posi-Tone Records

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