Wyatt Berne &
Howell
- a blues trio -
(photo by Janice Wyatt)
Above performance at The Heritage Grill, New
Westminster BC, January 16th, 2014
L to R: Phil Howell (Upright
bass & vocals), Stephen Berne
(drums), Jeff Wyatt (guitar
& vocals)
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Wyatt Berne & Howell are Jeff
Wyatt (guitar & vocals), Stephen Berne (drums) &
Phil Howell (upright bass & vocals).
These musical veterans have been performing together since
2011. Their blues influenced repertoire is a combination of
originals and covers, with a flexibility that extends
across blues/rock/country boundaries.
For info on upcoming live performances see the
Shows page.
For inquiries and bookings go to the
Contact page.
BIOGRAPHIES
Jeff
Wyatt,
originally from the Saskatchewan prairies, has been
involved with the Canadian west coast music scene (writing,
recording and performing live) since 1991, prior to his 24
year involvement with the Canadian prairie music scene. As
well as being a musician he also graduated from the
'Digital/Analog Automated Recording Arts' program at
Columbia Academy in Vancouver, Canada in 1992.
Being a guitarist and songwriter since 1967, Jeff has been
affected by many musical influences that inevitably rear
their heads in his music. But when it comes to overall
preference of musical styles, he often falls back onto
composition that includes some type of blues or blues/rock
influence, although he would not strictly try to label
himself a blues-man. Even though he tinkers with a variety
of instruments, guitar is by far his specialty (electric,
finger-style acoustic in standard and open tunings, and
slide which he uses on both electric and acoustic guitar).
Since his work is both instrumental and lyrical, electric
and acoustic, it is difficult at times to strictly
categorize. People compare his guitar work and vocal style
to a combination of Ry Cooder, David Wilcox, Mark Knopfler,
Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Gordon Lightfoot, Jeff Beck and
others.
Jeff’s commercially released music can be heard, and is
available through the Recordings page of this website at
the following link.
http://www.jeffwyatt.com/Recordings/Recordings.html
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Stephen
Berne started
drumming at age 15, studying under the late, renowned
west coast jazz drummer Alan Wiertz (nicknamed "Hide the
One Wiertz"). By 17 Steve was playing clubs 6 nights a week
on Vancouver's Hastings Street. These venues included 2
historic spots; "Smilin' Buddha Cabaret" (which once hosted
acts such as Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane) and the
"Harlem Nocturne".
Following these stints he performed 6 nights a week for 2
years at the "Grouse Nest", on top of Grouse Mountain. The
following years took Steve on the road through British
Columbia; further north to central coastal communities
which Included Bella Coola and Ocean Falls.
Shortly thereafter Steve relocated to Toronto, touring and
playing many of the small towns of Ontario,
before returning to Vancouver to play regularly at
"Rossini's" in Gastown between 2000 and 2006. Steve
subsequently started drumming at "Rossini's" second
Vancouver location at the foot of Yew Street from 2006 to
when they closed their doors in 2010. It was there that
Stephen Berne and Jeff Wyatt first met and began performing
together on occasion with piano virtuoso Bob York. Both
"Rossini's" locations hosted many jazz greats when they
came through town. These establishments were owned by the
late west coast jazz drummer Arni May who at 18 once toured
with the young, 20 year old Elvis Presley on the latter’s
first visit to Canada.
As well as being a member of the blues trio
WYATT BERNE & HOWELL, the
versatile Steve Berne can be seen sitting in on drums at
clubs in and around Vancouver. He presently uses 3
different drum kits and is always seeking to broaden and
deepen his musical abilities.
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Phil
Howell started
playing guitar at the age of 12, but decided on making the
switch to bass at age 20. Why? For the simple reason that
there were always too many guitar players that showed up at
open jams, and generally only 1 or 2 bass players. Being a
bassist gave him the chance to be up on stage for longer
periods (then all the guitar players), honing his bass
chops.
By the time Phil was in his mid 20's his formal music
studies took place at both Vancouver Community College as
well as at North Vancouver's Capilano College (now Capilano
University).
Phil's musical versatility is blatantly evident in the fact
that he's played in a Ukrainian folk Orchestra, Latin
ensembles, jazz groups and blues bands. He's even performed
classical music with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra.
After relocating to Veracruz Mexico, Phil worked as a full
time musician.
Once again a Vancouver resident, electric bass as well
upright double bass are his instruments; the latter of
which being what he typically uses when
performing.