Elden "El" Lowery (Lead vocals, percussion)
Elden has been performing throughout the country for some 20 years. Elden has recorded original music as a songwriter and choreographed stage productions for local theatres in his hometown of Raleigh N.C. As a teenager he started out opening for national recording artists like Heavy D and the Boyz, Jodeci, Big Daddy Kane, and Mary J Blige. As of late, he has hosted large venues featuring Blue Magic, Ray Goodman and Brown, and the Manhattans. Whether in front of thousands or just a small room full of people, Elden pours out his heart and soul into each performance making all his listeners feel like family.
Michael Dunham (Lead vocals, background vocals)
Email: Michael DunhamA complete artist, [painter, writer, vocalist], music is the passion for new Bernadette Michael Dunham. Georgia-born, and Bridgeport raised, he has over 20 years in the game, having played with bands such as 3rd Shift, Whatupfunk, Deep Intentions, Heartbeat, and his own Jazz/R&B Trio, Md3. A 2006 & 2007 Fairfield Weekly Best Soul Singer nominee, he has also performed with Toni Smith [Tom Browne 'Funkin for Jamaica'], Curt Jones from 80'S Funk Legends Slave, and countless players for national acts, and at venues such as Madison Square Garden, the Apollo, and the Harbor Yard Stadium and Arena. Described as 'an extraordinary singer' by Conn. Post editor Mike Daly, and 'the kind of artist who can cover other artists that we need to hear more of', by Brita Belli of the Fairfield Weekly, Michael counts these greats as his influences; Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Earth Wind , and Fire, Al Jarreau, Rick James, among others. He is genuinely excited and blessed to be working with the Bernadettes.
Don DeStefano (Harmonica, slide guitar, rhythm guitar)
Email: Don D.Prior to joining the Bernadettes in 1995, Don had been performing professionally for over 20 years in a variety of blues, R&B, country, folk and rock bands. He has also been active as a studio musician, playing on a number of songwriter demos and commercial jingles. His harmonica and slide guitar playing were featured a few years back on recordings by two of America's musical icons: bluesman B.B. King and country star Johnny Cash. His harmonica playing has also been featured on CD releases by Peter Gale ("Landlord Of Love") and Gershwins Roomate ("Walking On Water Wasn't Built In A Day").
Mark Spicer (keyboards, vocals)
Email: Mark SpicerOriginally from Bedford, England, Mark moved to the U.S. as a teenager, and remained on this side of the Atlantic to further his studies at the University of North Texas, where he received both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music. He has performed and traveled literally around the world, from his native England to Singapore (where he taught in a music conservatory for two years) and throughout the United States and Canada. Prior to joining the Bernadettes in 1995, he was an original member of the critically acclaimed Texas based neo-cabaret outfit Little Jack Melody and His Young Turks, and can be heard on the band's first two CDs. Mark came to New Haven to pursue his doctorate at Yale University, where for three years he taught for the prestigious Yale Department of Music, and was awarded the Ph.D. in 2001. He is currently Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Music at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York.
Brian Johnson (bass guitar, vocals)
Email: Brian JohnsonBrian Johnson has been playing bass in various bands for over thirty years. Originally from Sacramento, California, Brian settled in Connecticut when he was 10, and he has since become a fixture in the CT music scene. He has played bass with several bands over the years, including Flight, Grooveline, Sparkle, Star, What Up, Bod Rock, Good and Plentie, and Soundcheck. His bands have performed throughout the U.S., and have opened up for notable acts such as Tower of Power, James Brown, the Average White Band, and Kool and the Gang. Brian’s major influences are funk, R & B, and fusion jazz.
Dean Kosh(drums, vocals)
Email: Dean KoshDean carries some heavy credentials. For example: He is sponsored by Sonor Drums.
He has toured in Germany, Italy, Czechoslovakia, France and Canada. Dean has been a career studio musician performing on hundreds of different artists CDs. And now he's with the Bernadettes and fitting in quite well.
Born in Bridgeport, CT. He performs at Drum Clinics and Percussion Workshops .
His influences are artists: Dave Weckl, Buddy Rich, Jeff Porcaro, and Steve Smith
He uses Sonor Drums, Zildjian Cymbals and Regal 8A Sticks exclusively.
Paul Georgia(drums, vocals)
Email: Paul Georgia.Paul is certainly no stranger to the stage. After earning a solid reputation in New England with various acts, he moved to Los Angeles at age 18 where he studied jazz and performed with blues musician Dwight Buchanan. Following his return to Connecticut, he has appeared with the Center Street Band, Nothing But Trouble, and has recorded with several artists. Paul has been with the Bernadettes since 2001, but has recently taken on a part-time role with the band, sharing the drumming duties with the great Dean Kosh.
Jim Kader, Jr. (lead & rhythm guitar)
Email: Jim KaderThe only remaining founding member of the Bernadettes, Jim has been playing guitar for over 30 years, and is highly regarded as one of Connecticut's finest blues guitarist. He has performed with numerous rock and blues acts in the Connecticut area and also in San Diego, CA, where he resided for several years.
© Copyright 2002 Bernadettes
Illustrations by Kevin Sanchez Walsh
This page is maintained by the Bernadettes
