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.

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.