Al Berard

Al Berard (1960–2014) was a Cajun musician, recording artist, and composer in addition to being considered a world-renowned cajun fiddler.

Berard, influenced by the Cajun songs heard as a young child growing up in South Louisiana, began playing guitar at age eleven. As a student at Cecilia High School, his musical talents allowed him to become an active member of the school's concert band in addition to performing as lead guitarist in a local rock band which he founded.

After graduation, Berard founded The Basin Brothers Band, performing a repertoire of country, traditional and original Cajun French music at festivals, clubs, and workshops throughout the United States and in Europe. The Basin Brothers strived to promote and preserve Cajun culture and music.

Berard owned a recording studio in addition to a music publishing company - OPLAMAE Music/BMI. His work included composition, production, recording and editing for television and film in addition to his involvement with the Basin Brothers and other Louisiana bands and projects. He resided in Cecilia, Louisiana.

Al died February 26, 2014, in Lafayette, LA, after suffering an aneurysm the previous night.

Discography

 * 2014 Incredible Journey
 * The Basin Brothers Band; "Let's Get Cajun"
 * The Basin Brothers Band; "Stayin Cajun"
 * The Basin Brothers Band; "Mulate's Presents: The Basin Brothers"
 * The Basin Brothers Band; "Dans La Louisiane"
 * The Basin Brothers Band; "Deux Violons"
 * The Basin Brothers Band; "Fait a la Main"
 * Al Berard and Errol Verret; :"C'est Dans La Sang Cadjin"
 * Al Berard; "Al Berard and Friends"
 * Al Berard and Karen England; "Feet Off The Ground"


 * Selected Recordings


 * The Basin Brothers
 * 2007  Cajun Fiddles (Acadiana ACD 0157) engineer, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, vocals
 * 1996  Dans La Louisiane (Rounder CD 7065) co-producer, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals
 * 1993  Basin Brothers (Bayou Teche) fiddle, electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
 * 1991  Stayin’ Cajun (Flying Fish FF 70581) co-producer, fiddle, guitar, vocals
 * 1990  Let’s Get Cajun (Flying Fish FF 70539) producer, arranger, fiddle, lead guitar, mandolin, vocals
 * 1984  “Now and Then”/”Rowdy Night” (45rpm, Showtime 1066) fiddle


 * Berard Family Band
 * 2006  Berard Family Band (Old Man Records 8631-2) producer, guitar, mandolin, vocals


 * Drew Landry and the Dirty Cajuns
 * 2006  Tailgaten Relief & Hurricane Companion EP (Drew Landry) producer, fiddle, guitar, bass


 * Hadley J. Castille and the Louisiana Cajun Band
 * 1993  Cajun Swamp Fiddler (Swallow SW 6112-2) guitar, mandolin, vocals


 * Filé
 * 1982  Left Feet (Flying Fish FF 70507) electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals


 * Solo and Duo Projects
 * 2006  Al Berard & Jason Frey, Old Style Cajun Music (Acadiana ACD 0155) fiddle, guitar, vocals
 * 2000  Al Berard & Karen England, Feet Off the Ground (Swallow SW 6162) co-producer, fiddle, vocals
 * 1999  Al Berard and friends play Cajun music from the heart (Swing Cat), producer, performer
 * 1994  Al Berard & Errol Verret, C’est dans le sang Cadjin (Swallow SW 6114-2) co-producer, fiddle, guitar, vocals, mandolin


 * Compilation credits


 * 2002  Cajun Music: The Essential Collection (Rounder 1166-11604-2), Al Berard & The Basin Brothers
 * 2001  Cajun Sweet Home Louisiana (Cooking Vinyl/Spinart Gumbo CD 020), performer (solo and with The Basin Brothers)
 * 2001  Cajun (Putumayo World Music PUT 184-2) Al Berard & Errol Verret
 * 1998  Cajun & zydeco festival (Rounder ED 7067) Al Berard & the Basin Brothers
 * 1998  Cajun Cookin’ (Rounder ED 7043) Al Berard & the Basin Brothers
 * 1997  Cajun Greats (Rounder ED 7012), Al Berard & the Basin Brothers
 * 1997  Bayou Beat (Rounder ED 7053), Al Berard & the Basin Brothers
 * 1994  More Music from Northern Exposure (MCA ) song “Un Mariage Cassé”


 * Other recording credits


 * 2007  Nolton Simien, La Danse Finis Pas: Classic Louisiana Creole Music (Al Berard Studios)
 * 2005  Lee Benoit, Ma Petite Femme (Old Man 7935-2) electric slide guitar, acoustic guitar, fiddle, mandolin
 * 2004  Robert Leblanc, Allons à la veille chez Robert (Swallow SW-6184), performer
 * 2001  Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys, Au Coup d’Éclair (Swallow SW-6183) elec. guitar
 * 2001  Pope Huval, Chante Ti Garçon (Swallow SW-6168) producer, editor, performer
 * 2001  Sacaulait, Sac-à-lait Jig (Swallow SW-6165), fiddle
 * 2001  T-Mamou Band Cajun and creole jam (Swallow SW 6160), producer, performer
 * 2000  Lee Benoit, Dis 'n' Dat (MTE 5068-2) fiddle
 * 1999  L’esprit de la Louisiane (Over the Moon Productions OMT-1943), guitar, bass, dulcimer
 * 1999  Becca Begneaud, Merci pour le cadeau (Ame de Louisiane ADL-5001), arranger
 * 1999  Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band, Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band play traditional style Cajun music (Swallow SW-6156) fiddle
 * 1999  Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 3 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle
 * 1999  Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 2 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, vocals, guitar (with The Traiteurs and with Big Pecan and The Assorted Nuts)
 * 1999  Native Sons Native Sons (Latanier 5011) mandolin
 * 1998  Alain Gatay with Trans Bayou Express, On est après rouler! (France, CZML 0398)
 * 1998  How’s Bayou, Pardon my French (Artdeco), fiddle, electric guitar
 * 1998  Martin Swinger, Scrapbook
 * 1998  Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 1 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, guitar (solo and with The Basin Brothers)
 * 1997  Camey Doucet, Mom, I’m still your little boy (Swallow, SW-6140)
 * 1995  Hélène Boudreaux, Pete Bergeron Une deuxième Chance (Swallow SW6120-2), performer
 * 1995  John Dubois, Bayou Ballads (Chaud Dog Jean) guitar
 * 1991  John Dubois, Rendezvous Louisianais (Chaud Dog Jean) acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, background vocals
 * 1990s  Trans Bayou Express, Voyage dans le pays Cajun (France, TRE1LA99) fiddle, guitar, vocals