Start with a powerful, soulful vocalist. Back him with rhythm steadier than the Rock of Gibraltar. Add the twang of swingin' guitar and a hot honking harmonica straight from the Southside of anywhere and you've got Bernie Clarke & the Rhythm Sharks.
Take their CD on Burning Bridge Records, Love Recession, for a spin and you'll understand why they were nominated for a SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Award) in the "Best Blues Band" category. Come to a Rhythm Shark performance and be rocked,...
Start with a powerful, soulful vocalist. Back him with rhythm steadier than the Rock of Gibraltar. Add the twang of swingin' guitar and a hot honking harmonica straight from the Southside of anywhere and you've got Bernie Clarke & the Rhythm Sharks.
Take their CD on Burning Bridge Records, Love Recession, for a spin and you'll understand why they were nominated for a SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Award) in the "Best Blues Band" category. Come to a Rhythm Shark performance and be rocked, swung, funked, souled, and shuffled to honest AMERICAN ROOTS music. The Rhythm Sharks shine a spotlight on their own original material as well as eclectic selections dug from deep in the blues, soul and roots music troughs. You'll travel the musical road of Americana from Chicago blues and funk down south to Texas and Louisiana for some shuffles and hot swamp boogie. After that head west on Rt. 66 for some of that West Coast swing. The Rhythm Sharks cover a lot of road and keep the motor running. Every night the band works from a grab bag of tunes guaranteed to please anyone that likes blues and boogie played with high energy and SOUL!
The band may be local to the CNY region, but Bernie has taken his harmonica and his music to some pretty far-flung places. After making a connection with the Bangalore School of Music (Bangalore, India) in 1998, the Rhythm Sharks made their first of two appearances at the semi-annual "East-West Music and Dance Encounter." (The Sharks are the only international artists to perform twice in event's twelve-year history.) Vishwambhar Pati, of Bangalore, India's Asian Age newspaper writes, "Bernie Clarke's band is essentially a roadhouse roof-raising outfit, and is well served by its tightness and hard-rocking groove."
On the strength of these "East-West" performances, Bernie was asked to return for a four-city, nine-show tour headlining a twin bill with blues legend, "Evidence" recording artist and personal friend, Mr. Joe Beard from Rochester, NY.
Over the last ten years, Bernie has led the band to many other noteworthy shows. The Rhythm Sharks were one of only 24 local and regional bands selected to play at Woodstock '99 in Rome, NY. This was part of a program to expose CNY's regional talent to festivalgoers from all over the world. Another annual stop for the band is the New York State Rhythm and Blues Festival where they have been showcased and also host the "All-Star Jam" at the conclusion of the weekend's performances. In addition to featured spots on various festival programs (the Cape Fear Blues Fest, the Chenango Blues Fest), the band is always in demand for club appearances and private functions.
Book this fantastic foursome at your next event. You'll know that you've got a band that is heads above the rest. The Sharks are equipped to play any size event from club dates to corporate events. We do any kind of party: weddings, divorces, get out of jail, bar mitzvahs. It doesn't matter. When you have a real boogie emergency, don't settle for less. Get the professionals - Bernie Clarke & the Rhythm Sharks.
Meet The Band
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