Will Bernard and Beth Custer - Sky (2023)

Guitarist Will Bernard and clarinetist/singer Beth Custer have forged a remarkable, musical partnership that spans decades and is reflected in their upcoming release SKY. From the opening, wistful ‘Bear in Shamanic Transformation’ to the deep and doleful ‘The Curve’, from the Chopin influenced ‘Sweeping Staircase’ waltz to the bluesy ‘Not Necessarily Stoned, ‘SKY’ features diverse compositional styles and instrumental mastery. Sixteen tracks take the listener on a 52-minute sweet, luscious excursion; one that pulls the listener in, leaving them wanting to take the SKY trip again and again. Recorded by Jeff Cressman Studios in San Francisco, mastered by Jeremy Goody of Oakland, and produced by Bernard and Custer, SKY is made of mostly first takes, with very little over- dubbing. Sonically, Custer’s growling bass and soaring Bb clarinets, and her unique, tender voice mix enticingly with Bernard’s palate of guitar sounds that include acoustic and electric lap steels, vintage acoustics, resonator guitars and both clean and effect drenched electrics. When listening you feel as if you’re in the room with the duo, the recording is so intimate. Trail- blazing in its simplicity, the CD showcases a musical endeavor that is deeply listenable and multi-dimensional. ‘SKY’ is one for the permanent collection.

"These two creatives have been soul mates for a long, long time. All you have to do is glimpse at the inside fold of Sky and see the archival photo of the two together from the brilliant Berkeley, California jazz renaissance that swept the Bay Area from the late ‘70s through the late ‘90s. Today guitarist Will Bernard and clarinetist Beth Custer have formed a remarkable partnership of captivating improvisation-fueled songs that are calmly lyrical, meditative, diverse in influences, playful in stretches. Will masters the acoustic guitars as well as sprinkles the jolts of resonator and electric lap steel guitars while Beth goes deep with bass and B flat clarinets. They circle each other, they layer each other, they join with delicious harmonies. They change directions, such as on the journey tune “Luv Jones.” Will leads and Beth supports with percussive clarinet pops, then the guitar plays rhythm to uplift her free improvisation that are full of color. Special album that will show up on multiple top 10 lists at the end of the year." - Dan Ouellette, Jazz and Beyond Intel