HE'S GOT THE FUNK: Guitarist Will Bernard grew up in Berkeley during the heyday of Oakland funk, when Sly Stone, Tower of Power and Larry Graham spread East Bay grease across nation. He absorbed the insistent syncopation right from the source, and added a healthy helping of Crescent City soul.
Since graduating from Berkeley High in 1977, he's become one of the region's most valued and versatile players, contributing to a wide array of settings, from the Eastern-tinged jazz of Anthony Brown's Asian American Orchestra to the French cabaret chanson of Odile Lavault's Baguette Quartette. He first gained attention as part of Peter Apfelbaum's sprawling world-jazz big band Hieroglyphics Ensemble in the early '80s, but found his widest audience in the Grammy-nominated jazz/funk combo T.J. Kirk, a powerhouse quartet in which he matched wits with fellow guitar-slingers Charlie Hunter and John Schott.
But Bernard never left the funk behind, which has made him a go-to guy for bandleaders looking for an immediate infusion of soul. He's toured and recorded widely with Galactic drummer Stanton Moore and Greyboy Allstars organist Robert Walter. Last month, clarinetist Don Byron recruited him to play the deeply funky music of Junior Walker for a gig at Yoshi's. So it's hardly surprising that when left to his own devices, Bernard finds himself knee-deep in funk. He celebrates the release of his joyous new album "Party Hats" (Palmetto) on Friday at 12 Galaxies in San Francisco with a cast of players drawn from the album, including organist Wil Blades, bassist Keith McArthur, drummer Jan Jackson, trombonist Adam Theis, saxophonist Joe Cohen and trumpeter Mike Olmos. Percussionist Josh Jones, tenor saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum and a parade of other special guests will also be joining the festivities.

—Dan Ouellette