Bernard Purdie

R&B drummer Bernard Purdie was born in Maryland in 1939. He began his life in music playing the drums at an early age. He joined several bands playing country and carnival music and developed his interest in different styles and genres.

Relocating to New York at the age of 19 he met and performed with Lonnie Youngblood, King Curtis and Buddy Lucas. Earning a reputation as a session musician, he worked with James Brown and Aretha Franklin. He became Franklin's musical director in 1970 and played in her band The King Pins; he also performed on her track 'Rock Steady'. With more than 3,000 albums to his credit, Purdie built a reputation in the industry, with countless musicians eager to work with him. Most recently, he worked with the 2009 Broadway cast of 'Hair', with Chihiro Yamanaka on her 2011 album 'Reminiscence' and with Eddie Palmieri on 'Wisdom/Sabiduria' in 2017.