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Category: Music
I've set the date of my posting back to when I should have posted it...
Blue Note
Bernie Brausewetter's death drives another nail in coffin of Hub City music scene
Chris Jordan
Pulse - July 20, 2007
Late guitarist Bernie Brausewetter had the look of a sharp pool player.
He dressed in black with a dark sport jacket and a beret, and always in his hand was his guitar case — not unlike a pool cue case. Brausewetter had the look, but, more importantly, he had the skill. He could play an incendiary guitar solo that rocked you to your core on one song, then offer an angelic lead of the sweetest clarity and tone on the next.
Brausewetter was unstoppable on guitar, drawing the awe of musicians who have played before millions. Life is another matter. Brausewetter, after a few years of ill health, succumbed to complications from diabetes and congestive heart failure on April 15. He was 52.
"The people who played with him were drafted into his mastery, and he elevated the ability of those who sat with him," said friend and bandmate Nancy Swarbrick. "It's because of his daring and willingness to push the barriers of safe playing, to play chords that may never have been played before in the traditions of the geniuses Les Paul and Wes Montgomery.
"People were so used to having him around."
In his day, it seemed like a week wouldn't go by without Brausewetter playing somewhere on the New Brunswick music scene. The South Plainfield guitarist developed his chops by playing frat parties at Rutgers University. He also used to play regularly in the '90s at the city's Old Bay Restaurant, Court Tavern and former Melody Bar. Most of the city's venues that featured live music — like those around the state — have dried up, the victims of changing tastes and restrictive city ordinances.
Do we live in an age where a talent like Brausewetter would no longer flourish?
"Some people have asked if Bernie is one of a dying breed, and my answer to that is if we're not careful, most certainly," Swarbrick said. "Guys like Bernie were cultivated in the '60s culture that gave ultimate credence to the artists of the day, but also the artists of the past and future. The amazing thing about Bernie was the depth of his musical knowledge. He knew songs that spanned 10 decades."
Brausewetter's legacy will not be forgotten as long as talented young blues-rock guitarists like Matt O'Ree carry on. O'Ree of Holmdel is Brausewetter's former student who has gone onto national recognition in his own right.
O'Ree spent Monday nights at Bob Butterfield's house in Colts Neck in the early 1990s watching Brausewetter jam with his band The Stingers, which included Butterfield on drums at the time.
"Every Monday night was the best night of week because that was the night Bernie was coming over, and I would just try to pick up everything I could," O'Ree said. "Every week he'd write down a few little riffs for me to practice."
Those who knew Brausewetter unanimously say that his talent was matched by his kindness.
"He was the most humble and nicest guy you'd ever met," O'Ree said. "He would stop at nothing to help someone out."
Brausewetter spent the last few years of his life recovering from a heart attack and two incidents of arrhythmia that struck him in Memphis in 2003. He played a limited number of gigs and recorded an excellent final musical statement, the album "New Set of Rules," with fellow Stingers Dave Carta on bass and Joe Nevolo on drums.
His friends and fellow musicians will gather 4 p.m. Sunday at the Stone Pony to pay musical tribute to Bernie and his memory. Proceeds raised will recoup CD production costs and benefit Brausewetter's mom, Norma May.
O'Ree will be taking Bernie's spot in the Stingers for the show.
"It's definitely an honor to play his music with the band he played with," O'Ree said. "It's not easy music to play, but it's definitely an honor. I almost don't feel worthy — I'll definitely do the best that I can."
3:31 PM
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