Bernie Capodici - Composer / Producer / Percussionist

Bernie is the son of drummer Charlie (Cappy) Capodici who played or hung out with Bill Hailey, Joni James and The Four Aces, Charlie made sure his son would have a head start by teaching him to play drums at the tender age of four and would take him to clubs to sit in, much to the disbelief of his Dad’s musician friends who used to say “the kid’s a natural”. Because of Charlie’s influence Bernie started his career as a dancer on the syndicated TV show Discophonic Scene hosted by Jerry Blavat where he was know as Bern-a-phonic Bernie. This gave him some avenues which otherwise would not have been available to him. Getting to hang with the likes of Gary US Bonds, Chuck Berry, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter & Gordon, The Supremes, Four Tops, The Temptations and the list just goes on and on but the point here is what an incredible opportunity to learn about music from these great artists.

Capodici has been playing professionally since the late sixties perusing his formal education at the University Of Utah where he began studying percussion (congas) and delved into the exciting world of Latin Percussion. After school Bernie moved to the West Indies (Dominica) to commune with the natural feel of the rhythm of the islands, when Bernie returned to the states he began studying with the well-respected and noted bass player Joe Butara and Conga wiz Harry Hawkins both from Trenton, NJ. next he began classes for theory & piano with David Anchor from Julliard for three years. Since then Bernie has had multiple jazz bands Eulipian, Havana Fusion, Stiff Stuff, Vujaday and The Crossbreeders, The Lil’ Citi Band and now Drivetime continuously playing clubs for the past forty years. Capodici has made special appearances with such notables as Chuck Reiney, Dexter Wansel and Jonathan Cain and most recently American Idol’s Justin Guarini. Capodici has recorded with such local luminaries as Daria & Rick Denzien and one of Smooth Jazz favorite sons Bob Baldwin. This includes three independently produced CD’s of his own: 2006 - Drivetime / Movies For Your Mind, 1978 - Stiff Stuff / Live at Havana, and 1976 - Eulipian / Live at the County Theater. Also includes one European release: 2001 - Gospel En Coeurs.

His technical expertise and experience has made him a much sought after technical advisor for such artists as George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Gregg Karukas and Mo Play from Earth Wind & Fire. This CONGUERO has played from L.A. to Manhattan, Europe and the West Indies, and brings to the table an assortment of influences that put his unique, innovative touch on everything he does.