biographical info
Marty Bernard is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter living in Maple Ridge and based out of the greater Vancouver area for over fifteen years. Born and raised in Ottawa, Marty started touring and recording at the age of sixteen. He relocated to Montreal and then Vancouver where he travelled all over Canada and the United States with Sire recording artists Catfish – sharing the bill at one point or another with acts Iggy Pop, Beck, Moby, Sevendust and The Reverend Heat amongst others.
Since then he’s recorded, performed or backed up artists such as Mark DuFresne (Roomful of Blues), Jeff Simmons (Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention), David Vest (Paul DeLay Band), Willie MacCalder (Powder Blues), Janet Panic, Nikki Hurst, Michael Chase, Jerry Adolphe (Chilliwack) and Lindsay Mitchell (Prism). He’s composed the music for the hit play Clown Elections and wrote and sang for the The Unhappies, Dogflower and The Revolving Monkeys. He was the lead guitarist in the country rock band Diezel for three years until late 2010.
In 2011 Marty released “Tuesdays With Crunchy” with The Bloo Zebras. It was produced by and features Powder Blues icon Jack Lavin on bass and harmonica with premier jazz drummer John Nolan (Mose Allison). The album also features very special guests Jeff Simmons, Mark DuFresne, Mike Kalanj (Jim Byrnes) and the late and much missed Mike Norman (Johnny Reid, Aaron Pritchett). Several tracks from Tuesdays With Crunchy got a warm reception from radio not only across Canada but internationally as well.
The Bloo Zebras are currently working on their next full-length release, also dazzling local audiences with their electric live shows. Described as a psychedelic blend of cosmic blues, roots and rock. Some of the guests who have joined The Bloo Zebras onstage include: Willie MacCalder, Gary Koliger, Michael Chase, Jackie Treehorn and Dave Webb.