Recognized by the likes of The Huffington Post & the Philadelphia Phillies, Jake is fueled by his passions for music and people. Adaptable to a wide variety of genres & venues, he brings >20 years of performance experience to the table. A deep repertoire combined with his positivity & enthusiasm blend seamlessly with private parties, corporate events, romantic occasions, even store openings! With each and every performance, above all else, he always targets cultivating fun, memorable events through melody, honing in on connecting to his audience. As a malleable guy, Jake's excited to tailor his performance to YOUR vision - send him a note to get started, and see what you can create together!
11 reviews
Jess G.
February 21, 2023I hired Jake for a proposal and
although a few things went awry
(nothing to do with Jake btw),
Jakes uplifting attitude made us forget about the negative. Amazing guitar skills, beautiful strong voice, up to date song selections and he’s open to suggestions on the spot! He is very communicative right up to the day of the event. I would 100 percent hire him again and suggest him to friends/family for future events.
All around amazing guy!
Hired as: Singing Guitarist
Jake Bernard
Jess thank you SO much for your kind words, and for thinking of me for your big day!! You and your family were absolutely wonderful, so easy-going -- and you were incredibly organized leading up to the day (which made my life pretty easy!). I even got to play a couple great songs to boot :) (great selection!!) Ultimately, what mattered most is that you & your amazing partner made a big commitment, and better yet, with family all there to cheer you on. Sending you and Stephanie all the love -- congratulations!!
Tami A.
December 10, 2022Jake is an amazing musician with a wonderfully gifted voice. He was good with communication, timely, attentive and extremely personable. Our guests commented on how much they enjoyed his music, happy personality, and his ability to take requests and roll with whatever was asked. We couldn’t have been happier with him and will ask him to play again in a heartbeat.
Hired as: One Man Band, Singing Guitarist
Jake Bernard
Tami!! Thank you so much for your sweet words! I had an absolute blast providing a little soundtrack to the evening for you and your guests -- you all were *so* sweet, and all the better to be celebrating SUCH a monumental achievement :) Cheers & congratulations again!! 👑👑👑
Joanna
December 4, 2022He is a pro! Our event have been a success because of him!
Hired as: Singing Guitarist
Jake Bernard
Joanna thank you so so much! You were all SO lovely, warm, and hospitable - and it was my pleasure getting to play for you all! Had a ton of fun too :) Thank YOU so much for having me, and hope Maquis' wedding is amazing!!
Kelsey G.
September 25, 2022Jake was so amazing and flexible with our wedding. He learned extra songs just for us and was so friendly. An Overall wonderful person
Hired as: Singing Guitarist
Jake Bernard
Kelsey thank you - and Jake -- SO much for the love!! The two of you and your amazing friends & family could not have been sweeter, and you did such a fantastic job assembling a gorgeous wedding. Not to mention the excellent song picks for all the right moments :) It was awesome to be a part of your extraordinarily special day, & to be able to lean on Mike, Savannah, and Mitch for their creative inspiration. Sending love, soak it allll in, and CONGRATULATIONS!!
Desiree H.
September 14, 2022Jake was great to work with from start to finish! All communication was prompt and clear, he showed up on time with a huge smile, started playing while we were setting up and didn’t stop until our last guest left! I had a long list of diverse music that he learned and nailed! He’s very talented with a wonderful voice. Many of my guests came up to me throughout the evening to tell me how good he was and ask me where I found him. An added bonus was that he was comical too! I highly recommend you book Jake.
Hired as: Singing Guitarist
Jake Bernard
Desiree thank you SO much for your thoughtful note AND for having me!! Had such a blast playing for you guys, and you were a fantastic host! Great song requests, great atmosphere, and great company all around :)
Price range: $300 and up
Languages: English, Spanish
Gig length: 30 - 300 minutes
NEW SERVICES: Your First Dance at your Wedding!
• Are you looking for a way to make your first dance as newlyweds extra special? Jake can shape your unique love story into a custom first dance song. He's got the tools to create the perfect song for your special moment!
• Are you looking for a live guitarist and singer for your first dance? Jake can bring a touching acoustic rendition of your favorite song to life for a memorable first dance for you and your partner.
What to expect, no matter what:
Adaptable to a variety of functions, genres, and settings, Jake brings more than 20 years of performance experience to the table between the guitar, singing, and songwriting. His versatility and positivity are contagious as he looks to make every event and special moment sincerely memorable. He draws great satisfaction from connecting to his audience through his extensive repertoire, even creating originals for the right moments. Noteworthy venues he's appeared at include Hotel Cafe, The Levitt Pavilion, and World Cafe Live - while he's also entertained at numerous private parties, birthdays, romantic occasions (engagements/weddings/rehearsal dinners) corporate events, memorials, and more. As a malleable, experienced solo artist, Jake will cater to YOUR vision - send him a message to get started, and see what you can create together!
Breaking down the walls of a cubicle, Jake Bernard shed his 9-5 to return to his positive, feel-good roots. Nearing 25 years with a guitar in hand(s), both the instrument and composition have become second nature.
Reflecting his inner-optimist, Jake's beach-pop sound meshes the more colorful sides of Jason Mraz and John Mayer, and he's appeared at the Hotel Cafe, BMI's Acoustic Lounge (Genghis Cohen), The Levitt Pavilion (with American Idol Winner Nick Fradiani), and The Bitter End. The Huffington Post recognizes his beach-pop sound as "intoxicating," and his love letter and tribute to Philadelphia, "City of Love," was recognized by Mayor Jim Kenney and the Philadelphia Phillies. Performing satisfies his urge to cater to all kinds of people and sounds alike.
In 2017, he rolled out "this," a moving first-dance ballad about two people who find everything in one another as they grow old together - dedicated to his cousin Emma and her husband Daniel who were married the day before the record's release. Since then, he's written the soundtrack to a number of couples' first dances, and has established himself as such.
Known for...
• Recognition by the City of Philadelphia (and Philadelphia Phillies) for his tribute anthem, "City of Love"
• Performing with former American Idol winner Nick Fradiani
• Palessi viral video ("high quality material..." that's what I get for being a nice guy!)
Notable venues:
• Hotel Cafe
• World Cafe Live
• The Bitter End
• The Levitt Pavilion
• Diplo's PhilaMOCA
What I Will Bring:
•Guitar: Taylor 314ce
•Microphone: Sennheiser e835
•Acoustic Amplifier: Roland AC-33 (plug-in or battery; nice sound quality, & can pack a punch!)
- + battery pack, extra AA batteries, power block, power cord
•9V batteries
•Microphone stand
•Tuner (Snark)
•Capo
•2 XLR cables
•2 1/4 inch cables
•AUX cable for phone DJ in between sets
•Mono guitar case + water bottle holder
•Guitar stand
•A bottle of water
•Dunlop guitar strap
•String winder
•Microfiber cloth (to clean strings)
•Extra set of strings
•Extra set of bridge pegs
•Extension cord
•Tablet
•iPhone (for impromptu lyrics!)
•Tablet holder
•”Jake Bernard” sign (if appropriate/permitted)
•My cards (guitar picks w/ my info!)
•Your favorite tunes!
Saturday
Personal Occasion
11:30am - 12:30pm
•
Phoenix, AZ
Friday
Dinner Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
North Bend, WA
Saturday
Bachelorette Party
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Tacoma, WA
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Snoqualmie, WA
Thursday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Seattle, WA
Saturday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Woodinville, WA
Saturday
Birthday Party
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Olympia, WA
Saturday
Dinner Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Snoqualmie, WA
Friday
Surprise
5:00pm - 5:30pm
•
San Diego, CA
Sunday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Beverly Hills, CA
Saturday
House Party
6:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Hermosa Beach, CA
Sunday
Personal Occasion
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Burbank, CA
Saturday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Pacific Palisades, CA
Friday
Birthday Party
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Bellflower, CA
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:45pm - 3:45pm
•
Monrovia, CA
Sample set lists:
Classics:
Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
Rock and Roll All Nite (Beatles)
I Want to Hold Your Hand (Beatles)
We Will Rock You (Queen)
She Loves You (Beatles)
Let's Stay Together (Al Green)
Come Together (Beatles)
The Way You Make Me Feel (Michael Jackson)
September (Earth Wind & Fire)
I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty)
Mary Jane's Last Dance (Tom Petty)
Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix)
Cruise (Smokey Robinson / Huey Lewis)
Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
Runnin' Down a Dream (Tom Petty)
You Make My Dreams Come True (Hall & Oates)
Moondance (Van Morrison)
Listen to the Music (The Doobie Brothers)
Long Train Runnin' (The Doobie Brothers)
Night & Day (Frank Sinatra)
I'm a Believer (The Monkees)
Red, Red Wine (UB40)
Wild Horses (Rolling Stones)
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You (Frankie Valli)
Imagine (John Lennon)
Dancing Queen (ABBA)
Angel of Harlem (U2)
My Girl (The Temptations)
Take a Chance on Me (ABBA)
Ain't No Sunshine (Bill Withers)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen)
All My Lovin' (The Beatles)
Power of Love (Huey Lewis & the News)
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)
Heart of Gold (Neil Young)
Old Man (Neil Young)
Wild World (Cat Stevens)
Wild Thing (The Troggs)
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
Fire & Rain (James Taylor)
You’ve Got a Friend (James Taylor)
How Sweet it Is (Marvin Gaye / James Taylor)
Ain’t no Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye)
Let’s Get it On (Marvin Gaye)
Mercy Mercy Me (Marvin Gaye)
Sunshine on My Shoulder (John Denver)
Night & Day (Frank Sinatra)
Wild Horses (Rolling Stones)
Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
What I Like About You (The Romantics)
Running on Empty (Jackson Browne)
Ventura Highway (America)
Joy to the World (Three Dog Night)
Give Me One Reason (Tracy Chapman)
Hotel California (The Eagles)
Stayin Alive (BeeGees)
Evil Woman (ELO)
Can't Buy Me Love (Beatles)
Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Free Fallin' (Tom Petty)
Revolution (The Beatles)
Don't Stop Believing (Journey)
Wake Up Everybody (Teddy Pendergrass)
Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding)
Lights (Journey)
It’s Still Rock ‘n Roll to Me (Billy Joel)
In my life (beatles)
Stuck in the Middle (Stealers Wheel)
Rockin me (Steve Miller Band)
Back Jack (Steely Dan)
Saturday Night's Alright (Elton John)
Bennie & the Jets (Elton John)
Philadelphia Freedom (Elton John)
Crocodile Rock (Elton John)
Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)
Sympathy for the Devil (Rolling Stones)
Paint it Black (Rolling Stones)
Jumpin Jack Flash (Rolling Stones)
Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones)
Beast of Burden (Rolling Stones)
Reelin In the Years (Stealy Dan)
Dirty Work (Stealy Dan)
Down by the River (Neil Young)
Uptown Girl (Billy Joel)
Only the Good Die Young (Billy Joel)
The Longest Time (Billy Joel)
Movin Out (Billy Joel)
My Life (Billy Joel)
She’s Always a Woman (Billy Joel)
Miami 2017 (Billy Joel)
Think (Aretha)
Respect (Aretha)
I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
A B C (Jackson 5)
This Guy’s in Love With You (Burt Bacharach) (Herb Alpert)
My Way (Frank Sinatra)
New York New York (Sinatra)
The Way You Look Tonight (Sinatra)
Luck Be a Lady (Sinatra)
Love Me Do (The Beatles)
Hard Day's Night (The Beatles)
Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)
Part Time Love (Stevie Wonder)
Superstitious (Stevie Wonder)
Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder)
I Wish (Stevie Wonder)
You Are the Sunshine of My Life (Stevie Wonder)
I Just Called to Say I Love You (Stevie Wonder)
For Once in My Life (Stevie Wonder)
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours (Stevie Wonder)
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder)
My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder)
Summer Vibes:
Valerie - Amy Winehouse
Waiting on the World to Change (John Mayer)
Free Fallin' (Tom Petty)
Follow me (Uncle Kracker)
I’m Yours (Jason Mraz)
Upside Down (Jack Johnson)
When It's Over (Sugar Ray)
Three Little Birds (Bob Marley)
Hey Ya (Outkast)
Santeria (Sublime)
What Would You Say (Dave Matthews Band)
Nothin on You (Bruno Mars)
New Light (John Mayer)
No One (Alicia Keys)
Banana Pancakes (Jack Johnson)
No Diggity (Blackstreet) // Don't (Ed Sheeran) mashup
Happy (Pharrell)
She Will Be Loved (Maroon 5)
The Man Who Sold the World (Bowie // Nirvana)
Hotline Bling (Drake)
Sunday Morning (Maroon 5)
Where Are You Going (DMB)
I Shot the Sheriff (Bob Marley)
Fly (Sugar Ray)
Daughters (John Mayer)
All Apologies (Nirvana)
Locked Out of Heaven (Bruno Mars)
Smile (Uncle Kracker)
This Love (Maroon 5)
Hey Soul Sister (Train)
3am (Matchbox 20)
Closing Time (Semisonic)
September (Earth Wind & Fire)
Someday (Sugar Ray)
I Won't Give Up (Jason Mraz)
The Best (Tina Turner)
Every Morning (Sugar Ray)
Let's Stay Together (Al Green)
By Your Side (Sade)
I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty)
Mary Jane's Last Dance (Tom Petty)
Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix)
You're Beautiful (James Blunt)
Kiss Me (Sixpence None the Richer)
Cruise (Smokey Robinson / Huey Lewis)
Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
Runnin' Down a Dream (Tom Petty)
You Make My Dreams Come True (Hall & Oates)
Yellow (Coldplay)
Unwell (Matchbox 20)
Falling Slowly (Glen Hansard)
Half of My Heart (John Mayer)
My Stupid Mouth (John Mayer)
No Such Thing (John Mayer)
Push (Matchbox 20)
You & Tequila (Kenny Chesney)
Moondance (Van Morrison)
Night & Day (Frank Sinatra)
Wild Horses (Rolling Stones)
Imagine (John Lennon)
What’s been goin on (Amos Lee)
Windows are rolled down (Amos Lee)
Body like a backroad (Sam Hunt)
Under the Bridge (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Scar Tissue (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Dani California (RHCP)
Where the Streets Have no Name (U2)
Vertigo (U2)
Dancing Queen (ABBA)
Angel of Harlem (U2)
Somebody Told Me (The Killers)
My Girl (The Temptations)
Come Together (Beatles)
Take a Chance on Me (ABBA)
Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Don't Stand So Close to Me (Police)
Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
The Way You Make Me Feel (Michael Jackson)
Ain't No Sunshine (Bill Withers)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen)
All My Lovin' (The Beatles)
Power of Love (Huey)
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)
Hey Soul Sister (Train)
"A" Team (Ed Sheeran)
Stop and Stare (One Republic)
Thinkin' Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)
What I Like About You (The Romantics)
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room (John Mayer)
Torn (Natalie Imbruglia)
Save Tonight (Eagle-Eye Cherry)
90's +
I'm Yours (Jason Mraz)
Rhythm of Love (Plain White T's)
Thinkin Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)
You and Me (Lifehouse)
Have You Ever Seen the Rain (CCR / Music Travel Love)
Wonderwall (Oasis)
Hey Soul Sister (Train)
Slide (Goo Goo Dolls)
Dancing Queen (ABBA)
Love Yourself (Justin Beiber)
No Such Thing (John Mayer)
Til I Hear it From You (Gin Blossoms)
Push (Matchbox 20)
Hanging By a Moment (Lifehouse)
Semi-charmed Life (Third Eye Blind)
Someone You Loved (Lewis Capaldi)
I Melt With You (Modern English)
All My Lovin' / Can't Buy Me Love (Beatles Mashup)
The Way You Make Me Feel (Michael Jackson)
Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me) (Blessid Union of Souls)
Roll to Me (Del Amitri)
You're Beautiful (James Blunt) / Collide (Howie Day)
Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
Your Body is a Wonderland (John Mayer)
Can't Stop the Feeling (Justin Timberlake)
Unwell (Matchbox 20)
Sunday Morning (Maroon 5)
Shut Up & Dance (Walk the Moon)
Every Morning (Sugar Ray)
Hello, Goodbye / Ob-la-di Ob-la-da (Beatles Mashup)
Latch (Disclosure ft. Sam Smith)
Perfect (Ed Sheeran)
Breakfast at Tiffany's (Deep Blue Something)
Breakeven / For the First Time (The Script Mashup)
Champagne Supernova (Oasis)
Livin' on a Prayer (Bon Jovi)
Save Tonight (Eagle Eye Cherry)
You Get What You Give (New Radicals)
I'll Be There for You (The Rembrandts)
I Want it That Way / As Long As You Love Me (Backstreet Boys Mashup)
Stay (I Missed You) (Lisa Loeb)
You Gotta Be (Des'ree)
Upside Down (Jack Johnson)
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
No Diggity / Don't / Nina (Blackstreet / Ed Sheeran)
Someday We'll Know (New Radicals)
Boys Don't Cry (The Cure)
Here's to the Night (Eve 6)
Someday (Sugar Ray)
3AM (Matchbox 20)
Never Let You Go (Third Eye Blind)
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You (Frankie Valli)
Real World (Matchbox 20)
Iris (Goo Goo Dolls)
True Colors (Cyndi Lauper)
Don't Stop Believing (Journey)
Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson)
Mirrors (Justin Timberlake)
Ignition (R. Kelly)
Mr. Jones (Counting Crows)
Closing Time (Semisonic)
More!
Love Yourself (Justin Beiber)
A Sky Full of Stars (Coldplay)
How to Save a Life (The Fray)
Tempted (Squeeze)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)
I'm With You (Avril Lavigne)
Sweet Pea (Amos Lee)
Mirrors (Justin Timberlake)
Don't Dream it's Over (Crowded House)
Disco Inferno (The Trammps)
If You're Gone (Matchbox Twenty)
Toxic (Britney Spears)
Nothing (The Script)
My House (Flo Rida)
No Woman No Cry (Bob Marley)
One Day (Matisyahu)
Closer (The Chainsmokers)
Jumper (Third Eye Blind)
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing (Jack Johnson)
Hey Jealousy (Gin Blossoms)
Found Out About You (Gin Blossoms)
Follow You Down (Gin Blossoms)
I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack)
California Girls (Beach Boys / KP)
More Than Words (Extreme)
Crash (Dave Matthews Band)
Drive (Incubus)
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room (John Mayer)
So Damn Lucky (Dave Matthews Band)
Please Don't Go (Mike Posner)
Love Soon (John Mayer)
Something Like Olivia (John Mayer)
Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns 'n Roses)
Curtains (Rihanna)
December (Taylor Swift)
Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City (Bobby Bland)
Collide (Howie Day)
All Over Now (Eric Hutchinson)
Alright With Me (Eric Hutchinson)
Cold Water (DJ Snake / Bieber)
Back to Where I Was (Eric Hutchinson)
Hey Soul Sister (Train)
What's Been Goin' On (Amos Lee)
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You (Frankie Valli)
Ironic (Alanis Morrisette)
Am I Standing Still (Jewel)
Say It to Me Now (Glen Hansard)
On a Plain (Nirvana)
She Talks to Angels (The Black Crows)
For the First Time (The Script)
Shakedown Street (The Grateful Dead)
Uncle John's Band (The Grateful Dead)
Drift Away (Dobie Gray / Uncle Kracker)
Warning Sign (Coldplay)
Ignition (R. Kelly)
Sara Smile (Hall & Oates)
Love Shack (B-52s)
One Love (Bob Marley)
Happy Birthday (Stevie Wonder)
Slide (Goo Goo Dolls)
Breakfast at Tiffany's (Deep Blue Something)
Different for Girls (Joe Jackson)
Cannonball (Damien Rice)
Fast Car (Tracy Chapman)
I Think I'm Fallin For You (Colbie Caillat)
Shattered (Turn the Car Around) (OAR)
Good Life (One Republic)
Wonderwall (Oasis)
Champagne Supernova (Oasis)
Say My Name (Destiny's Child)
No Woman No Cry (Bob Marley)
Not the Only One (Sam Smith)
A Thousand Miles (Vanessa Carlton)
Holiday (Green Day)
St. Patrick's Day (John Mayer)
The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting...) (Nat King Cole) (Christmas Classic)
Hanukkah oh Hanukkah
La Bamba (Los Lobos)
Tequila Song (The Champs)
How Far is Heaven (Los Lonely Boys)
Black Magic Woman (Santana)
Senorita (Justin Timberlake)
Picture (Kid Rock feat. Sheryl Crow)
If It Makes You Happy (Sheryl Crow)
Hand in My Pocket (Alanis Morrisette)
Girl from Ipanema (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
Let the Rest of the World Go By (Ball, Ernest R. and Brennan, J. Keirn)
Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffett)
Livin la Vida Loca (Ricky Martin)
I Need to Know (Marc Anthony)
and way, way more!
John Mayer, Sugar Ray, Ben Rector, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Colbie Caillat, Ed Sheeran, Jason Mraz, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson
1 Extension Cord
1 Electrical Outlet
Singing Guitarist
