Artist description Melding the best of rock, funk, and folk, Jeff Berner delves all these influences rather nicely into his first full-length album, "My Secret Life As A Semi Guru". Featuring a multitude of originals, the 20-year old songwriter proves that there is more to be heard than the standard-issue radio fare. Picture a happy assemblage of Morphine, Luka Bloom, and early 90's Radiohead topped off with soulful baritone vocals that beg for top 40 inclusion.

Music Style Acoustic rock/funk/folk/general weirdness

Musical Influences Everything from Frank Zappa to Michael Hedges to Miles Davis to Fela Kuti and back around again.

Similar Artists Michael Hedges, Frank Zappa, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Stevie Wonder, Travis, Radiohead, Stone Temple Pilots, Beta Band, Morphine, Funkadelic, Deftones, Rufus Wainwright, Ben Folds Five, Steely Dan

Artist History Jeff Berner has been a member of numerous bands centered on the East Coast, such as Subject To Change (instrumental horn/groove), Jive Turkey (60's and 70's funk and soul), Busticate (modern rock/jam/funk), Flight School (alternative rock) and Apostrophe' (power trio instrumentals). His electric guitar playing has also gotten him guest spots with Wired and the Murali Coryell Band. Currently Jeff is a singer and guitarist with the New York based-band, S.L.I.D.E. (Some Lives In Distorted Eden). He is also currently the guitarist/harmony vocalist in Five Minute Riot with drummer Marc Capaldo and bassist David Geschwendt. "I draw influence from many different sources," says Jeff, "including people like Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. These people transcended the art form in which they practiced, and made their art into a universal emotion, and poured seemingly every last drop of emotion into their work." How then, do you draw an album of original singer/songwriter material out of these eclectic influences? "I've always been centered around the electric guitar, live and in the studio." offers Jeff. "For this record, I wanted to explore a different side of the creative process. I wanted to be more acoustically-based, with the song's integrity being the main focus." Listening to a copy of Berner's debut solo album, 'My Secret Life As A Semi-Guru', it is readily apparent that Berner melds his outside influences to the singer-songwriter template, often with interesting results. "Slipstream", a lilting lament of situational anxiety, is ornamented with melody embellishments and a strong sense of restraint. "The Waking Hours" brings starry-eyed optimism to the table, combined with slashing acoustic rhythms and a guest saxophone track from ex-STC/Busticate member Owen Sczerba. "The Line" holds high drama, with the addition of lush harmonies and phased leads. "My Secret Life As A Semi-Guru" is out now on Broadlight Records!-CPF Jeff is currently working on his second solo album, entitled "photoflashfocusrecord". Expect the album to continue on the stylistic part set forth by MSLASG, with the addition of a full band on some tracks. Tentative release date for "photoflashfocusrecord" is August 2003.

Group Members Jeff Berner - lead/harmony vocals, electric/acoustic guitars, bass, keyboard, harmonica, drum programming, percussion

Instruments Guitar, bass, keyboard, harmonica, percussion, vocals

Albums My Secret Life As A Semi Guru --avaliable now!

Press Reviews "Berner played original songs with his usual confident, smooth voice. He attracted a large crowd..." -The Circle, 4/11/02 "Berner played original music from his recently recorded CD. I have to give him a nod, because anyone who can use the word 'clandestine' appropriately in his or her songwriting deserves some credit." -The Circle, 4/23/02

Location Poughkeepsie, New York - USA

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