Al Berard
Encyclopedia
Al Berard is a Cajun
musician
, recording artist, and composer
in addition to being considered a world-renowned cajun
fiddler
.
Berard, influenced by the Cajun
songs heard as a young child growing up in South Louisiana
, began playing guitar at age eleven. As a student at Cecilia High School, his musical talents allowed him to become an active member of the school’s concert band in addition to performing as lead guitarist in a local rock band of whom he founded.
After graduation, Berard founded The Basin Brothers Band, performing a repertoire of country, traditional and original Cajun French
music at festivals, clubs, and workshops throughout the United States
and in Europe
. The Basin Brothers continuously perform and strive to promote and preserve Cajun
culture and music.
Berard currently owns a recording studio in addition to a music publishing company - OPLAMAE Music/BMI. His work includes composition, production, recording and editing for television and film in addition to his continued involvement with the Basin Brothers and other Louisiana bands and projects. He resides in Cecilia, Louisiana
.
Cajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, recording artist, and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
in addition to being considered a world-renowned cajun
Cajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
fiddler
Fiddler
A fiddler is a person who plays a fiddle or violin.Fiddler may also refer to:*Fabrangen Fiddlers, an American musical group founded in 1971*Tupolev Tu-28 "Fiddler", a fighter aircraft*Fiddler , a DC Comics villain...
.
Berard, influenced by the Cajun
Cajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
songs heard as a young child growing up in South Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, began playing guitar at age eleven. As a student at Cecilia High School, his musical talents allowed him to become an active member of the school’s concert band in addition to performing as lead guitarist in a local rock band of whom he founded.
After graduation, Berard founded The Basin Brothers Band, performing a repertoire of country, traditional and original Cajun French
Cajun French
Cajun French is a variety or dialects of the French language spoken primarily in Louisiana, specifically in the southern and southwestern parishes....
music at festivals, clubs, and workshops throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The Basin Brothers continuously perform and strive to promote and preserve Cajun
Cajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
culture and music.
Berard currently owns a recording studio in addition to a music publishing company - OPLAMAE Music/BMI. His work includes composition, production, recording and editing for television and film in addition to his continued involvement with the Basin Brothers and other Louisiana bands and projects. He resides in Cecilia, Louisiana
Cecilia, Louisiana
Cecilia is a census-designated place in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,505 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lafayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Cecilia is located at ....
.
Abridged discography
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Let's Get Cajun"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Stayin Cajun"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Mulate's Presents: The Basin Brothers"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Dans La Louisiane"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Deux Violons"
- The Basin Brothers Band; "Fait a la Main"
- Al Berard and Errol Verret; :"C'est Dans La Sang Cadjin"
- Al Berard; "Al Berard and Friends"
- Al Berard and Karen England; "Feet Off The Ground"
Awards
- Grammy Nominated Finalist; Best Traditional Folk Music" for "Let's Get Cajun", The Basin Brothers Band, 1991
- The Times Music Award; "Best Country/Swamp Pop Guitarist", 1989
- The Times Music Award; "Best Country Guitarist", 1990
- Cajun French Music Association; "Best Fiddle Recording" for "The Grand Anse Fiddle Song", 1992
- Cajun French Music Association; "Fiddler Of The Year" Nomination, 2003
- Cajun French Music Association; "Best Recording" Nomination for "Deaux Violons", The Basin Brothers Band, 2003
- Cajun French Music Association; "Award of Excellence", 2004
- Cajun French Music Association; "Fiddler Of The Year" , 2007
- Cajun French Music Association; "People Choice Award" Al Berard & Jason Frey, 2006-2007
Professional affiliations
- BMIBroadcast Music IncorporatedBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
(Broadcast Music, Inc.) - ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
- Cajun French Music AssociationCajun French Music AssociationThe Cajun French Music Association is an association dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Cajun music and culture.-History:The Cajun French Music Association is a non-profit organization of Cajuns and non-Cajuns whose purpose is to promote and preserve, not only Cajun music, but also...