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 editingfor 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.

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

2007Cajun Fiddles (Acadiana ACD 0157) engineer, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, vocals

1996Dans La Louisiane (Rounder CD 7065) co-producer, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals

1993Basin Brothers (Bayou Teche) fiddle, electric guitar, mandolin, vocals

1991Stayin’ Cajun (Flying Fish FF 70581) co-producer, fiddle, guitar, vocals

1990Let’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

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

Drew Landry and the Dirty Cajuns

2006Tailgaten Relief & Hurricane Companion EP (Drew Landry) producer, fiddle, guitar, bass

Hadley J. Castille and the Louisiana Cajun Band

1993Cajun Swamp Fiddler (Swallow SW 6112-2) guitar, mandolin, vocals

Filé

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

Solo and Duo Projects

2006Al Berard & Jason Frey, Old Style Cajun Music (Acadiana ACD 0155) fiddle, guitar, vocals

2000Al Berard & Karen England, Feet Off the Ground (Swallow SW 6162) co-producer, fiddle, vocals

1999Al Berard and friends play Cajun music from the heart (Swing Cat), producer, performer

1994Al Berard & Errol Verret, C’est dans le sang Cadjin (Swallow SW 6114-2) co-producer, fiddle, guitar, vocals, mandolin

Compilation credits

2002Cajun Music: The Essential Collection (Rounder 1166-11604-2), Al Berard & The Basin Brothers

2001Cajun Sweet Home Louisiana (Cooking Vinyl/Spinart Gumbo CD 020), performer (solo and with The Basin Brothers)

2001Cajun (Putumayo World Music PUT 184-2) Al Berard & Errol Verret

1998Cajun & zydeco festival (Rounder ED 7067) Al Berard & the Basin Brothers

1998Cajun Cookin’ (Rounder ED 7043) Al Berard & the Basin Brothers

1997Cajun Greats (Rounder ED 7012), Al Berard & the Basin Brothers

1997Bayou Beat (Rounder ED 7053), Al Berard & the Basin Brothers

1994More Music from Northern Exposure (MCA ) song “Un Mariage Cassé”

Other recording credits

2007Nolton Simien, La Danse Finis Pas: Classic Louisiana Creole Music (Al Berard Studios)

2005Lee Benoit, Ma Petite Femme (Old Man 7935-2) electric slide guitar, acoustic guitar, fiddle, mandolin

2004Robert Leblanc, Allons à la veille chez Robert (Swallow SW-6184), performer

2001Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys, Au Coup d’Éclair (Swallow SW-6183) elec. guitar

2001Pope Huval, Chante Ti Garçon (Swallow SW-6168) producer, editor, performer

2001Sacaulait, Sac-à-lait Jig (Swallow SW-6165), fiddle

2001T-Mamou Band Cajun and creole jam (Swallow SW 6160), producer, performer

2000Lee Benoit, Dis 'n' Dat (MTE 5068-2) fiddle

1999L’esprit de la Louisiane (Over the Moon Productions OMT-1943), guitar, bass, dulcimer

1999Becca Begneaud, Merci pour le cadeau (Ame de Louisiane ADL-5001), arranger

1999Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band, Ray Landry and the Basile Cajun Band play traditional style Cajun music (Swallow SW-6156) fiddle

1999Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 3 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle

1999Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 2 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, vocals, guitar (with The Traiteurs and with Big Pecan and The Assorted Nuts)

1999Native Sons Native Sons (Latanier 5011) mandolin

1998Alain Gatay with Trans Bayou Express, On est après rouler! (France, CZML 0398)

1998How’s Bayou, Pardon my French (Artdeco), fiddle, electric guitar

1998Martin Swinger, Scrapbook

1998Medicine Show Gatherings of the tribe. Vol. 1 (Acadiana Arts Council), fiddle, guitar (solo and with The Basin Brothers)

1997Camey Doucet, Mom, I’m still your little boy (Swallow, SW-6140)

1995Hélène Boudreaux, Pete Bergeron Une deuxième Chance (Swallow SW6120-2), performer

1995John Dubois, Bayou Ballads (Chaud Dog Jean) guitar

1991John Dubois, Rendezvous Louisianais (Chaud Dog Jean) acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, background vocals

1990sTrans Bayou Express, Voyage dans le pays Cajun (France, TRE1LA99) fiddle, guitar, vocals