 The BMR4
The BMR4 (Bernhardt, Moynihan, Rodbard quartet), veterans of the Chicago music scene will perform at Pops for Champagne, 601 North State Street at Ohio in Chicago for two consecutive weekends: August 23rd, 24th, 29th and 30th. The BMR4 features Jay Moynihan on Saxophones, Neal Alger on Guitar, The BMR4Chris Bernhardt on Bass, and Mike Rodbard on Drums. They have music credentials than span genres. Chris Bernhardt founded the popular blues-roots rock band The Buzz. Since then BMR4 members have performed with many musicians, including blues greats Buddy Guy, and Lonnie Brooks. Guitarist Neal Alger is also featured in Patricia Barbers band. When they perform in the BMR4, they play solid, urbane jazz that is strongly influenced by the blues. Their recent CD, Turning Point reflects the blending of their jazz, blues, and rock influences into a highly listenable concoction.
As a graduate of Berklee College of Music in December of 1993, Jay Moynihan has been actively working in the music community in Chicago for well over 10 years. Jason or "Jay" as many in the business call him, is equally as comfortable playing rock, jazz or the blues as he has played and recorded with Buddy Guy (A Grammy and Rock Hall of Fame Silvertone Recording Artist) for the past 5 years. Jason Has played with the likes of B.B. King, Santana, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Robert Cray and many other top names.
As a versatile player with eclectic tastes, bassist Chris Bernhardt has never been content to stay in one musical style. Before BMR4 became his main project he was hired extensively in the blues, rock, and hip-hop fields. As a founder of the roots rock band, The Buzz, he has toured the country in support of the group's releases "Highway" and "Live At Buddy Guys Legends". These recordings have received airplay on over 200 radio stations,garnered favorable reviews,and sold over 10,000 copies.The band toured under established booking agencies, such as Monterey International, and The Billions Corporation.
As a graduate of DePaul University's School of Music (BM '93), Mike Rodbard has been working steadily in Chicago for the last 15 years. He has a versatility in styles that makes him one of the city's most called drummers, whether its playing jazz, the blues, or straight rock and roll. For the past six years, he has been the drummer for the Lonnie Brooks Blues Band, international recording artist for Alligator Records.
After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor's degree in jazz guitar performance, Neal Alger moved to Chicago and has freelanced with many major jazz artists including Lin Halliday, Ed Thigpen, Howard Levy, Fareed Haque, Grazyna Augusick, and Blue Note recording artist Patricia Barber. Neal's versatility has also enabled him to perform R&B/soul with KFox (DefSoul records), classic rock covers with Cast Iron Skillet, and 20th-century classical music with HardArt Groop. Recently, Neal has released a duo CD with vocalist Typhanie Monique on BluJazz records titled Intrinsic. The great majority of the national and international performances that Neal participates in are with Patricia Barber.
Located at 601 North State Street at Ohio, Pops for Champagne is one of the nation's most acclaimed champagne bars and Chicago's most elegant live music venue. For more info call 312.266.pops (7677) or visit: www.popsforchampagne.com.
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Chicago 
Thursday, 08 January 2009
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