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Overview
The BMR4 is a Chicago jazz quartet that features some of the best players in the city including members of the Buddy Guy,Lonnie Brooks, and Patrica Barber bands. We play the major venues in Chicagoland. We fit our musical selections to the event we are playing. The BMR4 is a highly versitle group, that besides straight ahead jazz , can incorperate blues,funk,cajan,latin, soul-jazz, and R&B. The BMR4 knows how to play upbeat music that engages an audience, even if your looking for background music. The BMR4 will perform a set worthy to the tastes of your clientele. Audio and video available on our website . Our cd label debut 'Turning Point' came out on Hallway Records in 2007.
15 Reviews
I hired BMR4 band as jazz music entertainment for our Mardi Gras event at our condo association. They were nothing short of amazing with a great selection of music, and outstanding musicians. Along with residents singing and toe tapping, there was even a conga line that got going when "As the Saints Go Marching In" was played. In between songs, Chris would give a little bit of background information on the upcoming song, which drew the crowd in.
If you are looking for a high quality jazz band, I highly recommend BMR4, you can't go wrong with the enthusiasm and quality of music they produce!
Jazz Band
Could not recommend BMR4 enough. We hired them to play our wedding cocktail reception and they were a huge hit. Extremely talented group and matched the vibe of our event perfectly. Chris was very easy to work with. 10/10!
Wedding Band, Jazz Band
First, these guys are amazing musicians. They sounded great and all our guests had only positive things to say about them. But on top of that, they were very easy to work with, very communicative, and really nice guys. We would hire them again without hesitation!
Jazz Band
Chris and his band were fantastic! Friendly, on time, good communication prior to party, crowd pleaser, and easy to work with during our backyard party. Everyone loved them and we would definitely have them back! Thank you!
Blues Band, Jazz Band
Reliable, quality music. The guests at our party loved them and the music. Would highly recommend.
Jazz Band
Working with Chris was really a pleasure! His communication is on point and he really understood what we were looking for in a band. I received so many compliments from my colleagues today regarding the music at our holiday party over the weekend. Beautiful, fun and lively blues + rock music helped make the night a success! Would highly recommend Chris and his associates.
Blues Band
BMR4 Quarter performed at our corporate dinner and they were outstanding. Their energy was infectious and everyone really enjoyed their sets. They were professional to work with throughout the entire process and were super flexible when we added an extra hour on the day of the show. I would highly recommend them and will contact them 1st for any jazz needs in Chicago.
Jazz Band
The Chris Bernhardt Jazz Band Chicago was nothing less than PERFECT for our occasion/venue! Their variety and range, both virtuoso and smooth blended sound, brought everyone MORE than expected! They delighted ALL ages, all stages of affection for Jazz, and aslo added IMMEASURABLY to the chill vibe of the night! We LOVED the sound, the amazing talents of each player, and hope to invite this FAB BAND again to our next event!
Jazz Band
BMR4 was a perfect choice for our holiday party. Chris was easy to communicate with and the music was great! I would highly recommend.
Jazz Band
Bmr4 was hired to entertain the residents of my retirement community and celebrate Mardi Gras! So many have already come to my office just to let me know how much fun they had last night and want to know when you will be back!!
Jazz Band
Chris's response time and follow up was great! I was busy and doing everything on my own. He made it easier and I appreciate that. The music was Amazing!!! Many inquired as to who they were and how I got them. I found them here and my husband said, they opened for the show on our first date. I already knew it would be Great!
R&B Group, Jazz Band
Such a wonderful addition to our event. Wonderful sound, yet still able to converse with Party-goers. Everyone loved them at the party.
Jazz Band
Booking Info
Price Range: $400-$2500
Gig Length: 45 - 240 minutes
Insurance: $250,000 - General Liability
What to Expect
The BMR4 is a highly versitle group, that besides straight ahead jazz , can incorperate blues,funk,cajan,latin, soul-jazz, and R&B. The BMR4 knows how to play upbeat music that engages an audience, even if your looking for background music.
The members of the group have been on Letterman, Leno, etc... and have travelled all over the world playing music
We are excellent to playing for the room. Please note if price is out of your budget, we can do trios and duos.If you want to expand the group, or add a singer that is possible also.
About
Chicago is one of those unique cities that has always been on the pulse of vangard change in popular music. Although the city is known most for its blues , Chicago has also played a leading role in the performance, recording, and artistic evolution of jazz. The BMR4 (Bernhardt, Moynihan, Rodbard quartet), veterans of the Chicago music scene, have proved to be quite adaptable in creating noteworthy musical mixtures of all idioms. You can hear in their jazz sound, flourishes of the city's blues, rock and R&B scenes.
As legendary guitarist Robert Johnson put it, Chicago has been a "sweet home" for the blues. As the most recognizable cultural signature that the city has produced, its rich sense of origin and history still shapes music and social practice throughout the Windy City. Chris Bernhardt, Jay Moynihan, and Mike Rodbard had their musical baptism in the blues-roots rock band The Buzz. Although the group made two recordings, sold over 10,000 recordings, and toured the country, these musicians' chops developed significantly while playing as the house band at Buddy Guys Legends. It was there that they backed up legends such as Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Otis Rush. Through the many gigs and tours, the band found out they had a mutual affinity for jazz, and missed playing the music they grew up on. They formed BMR4, found a regular engagement, and began to develop their sound.
But The BMR4 needed a guitarist. Neal Alger had known Chris Bernhardt for years growing up together in the same south suburb neighborhood. Performing or recording with Lin Haliday, Howard Levy, Grazyna Augusich, and Ed Thigpen, Alger, due to his lyrical soloing and accompanying , had become one of Chicago's greatest and most in demand guitarists. The group soon recorded a standards demo and set out to get some work.
Success came fast for the BMR4, which was unusual for its groups member who had spent years "paying their dues". It helped that the bands' live show is an energetic,vigorous experience, in which the repertoire leaps around from 60's modal jazz,standards, modern R&B, 12 bar blues, to unique interpretations of pop classics. They soon began playing major venues in the Chicagoland (link hidden)ccess also came to the groups members with Alger, Moynihan, and Rodbard being picked up for the bands of Patrica Barber, Buddy Guy, and Lonnie Brooks respectively. In the spring of 2006 the band signed with Hallway Records.
Venues that we are playing that you might be familiar with include Andys, Green Mill, both Pops For Champagne, Issac Hayes,Navy Pier, and benefits for Mayor Daley. We are a extremly versitle group that can play many different styles and are excellent to playing for the room. Please note if price is out of your budget, we can do trios and duos.If you want to expand the group, or add a singer that is possible also.
THE MEMBERS OF THE BMR4
Recent national shows: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest; Birdland, Blue Note ( NYC), Chicago Blues Festival; Blues Festival, Monterey (CA); Boston Fleet Center; Yoshi's Jazz Club ( San Francisco, CA); Fox Theatre , CO; Mont de Tremblant Festival (Montreal, Canada)
Recent local shows: Buddy Guys Legends, Andys Jazz Club, Taste of Chicago, Park West, Green Mill, Pop's for Champagne, Green Dolphin Street, Navy Pier, Beverly Arts Center
Appeared with: Carlos Santana, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, Al Green, Yellow Jackets, Medeski, martin, and Wood, Patrica Barber, Lonnie Brooks, John Mayall, Flaming Lips, Henry Johnson, Ramsey Lewis, Gregg Allman
National TV: The Jay Leno Show, The Late,Late show, Arts Station in Paris, France, WGN Morning News, Jenny Jones, ABC Prime Time with Peter Jennings
Recordings: Live: A Fortnight in France w/ Patrica Barber (2004), Alligator records' Genuine Houserocking Christmas (2003), Steve Arvey It's A Fine Line (2002), The Buzz, Live At Legends (2000), Highway (1998)
Additional Booking Notes
nothing special- ask for specs