After two solid years of a regular gig schedule and touring, the Will Bernard 4-tet has evolved into a new identity reflecting more of a group mentality: MOTHERBUG. Some of the elements involved in this development are the addition of the rhythm section of Keith McArthur and Jan Jackson who had played previously with Will in the collaborative band Pothole (1993-97). The long standing chemistry of Jan, Will, and Keith is complimented by the inventive keyboard work of Michael Bluestein. The sound of MOTHERBUG is based in a guitar/keyboard heavy blend of R&B with strong ties to the Bay Area sound pioneered in the 60's and 70's (ala Santana, Sly Stone, and Tower of Power). What makes the whole mix a little different is the quirkiness of Will's compositions. With forays into the world of electronic ambiance and a jam band attitude, the Motherbug songs add elements of lounge, surf, and anything else that gets picked up on the way. Solid pop hooks and a sense of humor complete the package. The new MOTHERBUG album, co-produced by Will and Jason Carmer (whose production credits include Third Eye Blind, and Run DMC), is now available at bay area stores and directly from Will through this website. PURCHASE WILL BERNARD'S MOTHERBUG CD Will Bernard has performed with the 4-tet and MOTHERBUG at The Monterey, North Sea, SF Jazz, Bumbershoot, Be-Bop and Brew, Montreal and The High Sierra festivals, as well as clubs up and down the West Coast. They have opened locally for Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters, Jimmy Mcgriff, The Funky Meters, John Scofield, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Ziggy Modeliste and the Charlie Hunter Quartet. In 1999 They played a 9-city tour of Canadian Jazz festivals and several East Coast venues. FOR THE LATEST WILL BERNARD & MOTHERBUG NEWS, SIGN UP ON THE MAILING LIST