B i o g r a p h y
Born in Galicia (north west of Spain) Jose Bernardez (BMus, PGDip, MA) began to study saxophone at a very young age at the Galician High School of Music (EAEM) and at the "Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Vigo", where he combined his studies with regional performances with the "Banda de Música Cultural da Estrada" which was the local wind band from his hometown.
In his early twenties he moved to Madrid to continue his studies with the renowned saxophone master Andres Gomis at "Conservatorio Profesional de Musica Angel Arias Macein" and at the "Conservatori Superior de Musica de les Illes Balears", where he had his first opportunity to tour around the country performing with the Saxophone Ensemble and supporting a the wide range of artistic initiatives generated by the International Saxophone Studio which at that time was a reference of international saxophone education.
He combined his classical music work at the Saxophone Ensemble with his performances with the "Five O´clock Big Band" where he had the opportunity to perform weekly at the Jazz Voyeur Club with legendary Dire Straits and Eric Clapton´s saxophonist Malcom "Molly" Duncan, with whom Jose Bernardez had his first chance to experiment with Jazz saxophone music.
On his mid-twenties Jose Bernardez cofounded "Vortex Temporum Ensemble"; a contemporary and modern music specialized saxophone quartet, with whom he has received several Music Awards and recognitions, such as the "Hazen Intercentros Music Award" (Honour Mention), the "Art Jove Chamber Music Award" and the prestigious "Montserrat Alavedra International Music Performance Award". All this saxophone recognitions lead to be offered a position to work and study saxophone with Dave O´Higgins at LCCM - London College of Creative Media - Music College, where he had the opportunity to experiment with music electronics, and to work on saxophone funk, blues, Indie Rock and Soul music.
In 2007 he was lucky enough to get a position at the world-renowned Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied a Masters Degree in Arts and Saxophone Performance. He graduated with honors in 2010, which lead him to appear in London Shows, with great artists such as Sir Elton John, and with symphonic orchestras or chamber music groups such as the LPO, London Contemporany Orchestra, Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, Azalea Ensemble, Manson Ensemble or London Sinfonietta among others. He was lucky enough to collaborate with some of the most prominent conductors such as Sir Colin Davis, Neeme Järvi, Paavo Järvi, Sir Simon Rattle, Yan Pascal Tortellier or Susanna Mälkki , and to perform at International music festivals such as the "Musica Riva Festival" in Italy or the "Geneva Music Festival" in Switzerland.
From very early in his career Jose enjoyed the encouragement and support of great saxophone masters such as Claude Delangle (Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris), Andres Gomis Mora (Alfonso X el Sabio University - UAX -Madrid), Marie Bernadette Charrier (Selmer artist, Honorary Member of the French Association of saxophonists and member of the International Saxophone Committee), Richard Addison (Royal Academy of Music London), Dave O´Higgins (London College of Creative Media) or Alan Barnes.
Praised by critics as a performer of great depth, virtuosity and technical brilliance, he has appeared throughout the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Italy, Spain and Switzerland; performing as a soloist and on Quartet, Ensemble, Big Band or Orchestral settings.
He teaches saxophone in London at his Saxophone Tuition Studio in central London and in London Music Schools.
