BernardO'Neil

Bernard O'Neil was born in Dublin, Eire, into a musical family. Bernard studied piano at an early age and went on to study cello and composition at The Royal Irish Academy of Music. After graduating with Diplomas from the Royal College of Music he set about making a career as a session musician, and following a friendly chat with bass supremo "Dave Green" he went over to playing the double bass and bass guitar. After studying for some time with "Mick Hutton" he started to make a name for himself, but it was after a chance meeting with the legendary bassist "Danny Thompson" at the Shetland Folk Festival in 1989 his session career really started to take off.
Bernard has followed Danny into the world music field with sessions with great musicians such as June Tabor, The Silly Sisters, Andrew Cronshaw, Loreena McKennitt, John B.Spencer, Bill Caddick and was also a founder member of Zumzeaux. In the jazz field has worked with such names as John Etheridge, Slim Gaillard, The Western Swing Allstars, Danny Thompson Big Band, and is also a member of Neil Stacey's "Kimbara Brothers". In the rock/pop scene he has worked with Mono, Helen Sheppard, Jeff Buckley. In the Dance Music scene he has worked with such fine artists as Carl Craig, Aquarhythms, Rabbit in the Moon, Deep Dish as well as producing tracks for his own label. For the past seven years he has been Rolf Harris's musical director and has been involved in all Rolf's TV's live and recording both as a player and as a producer.
Bernard is also a jazz examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, plus being a member of The Royal Society of Musicians, also teaching the double bass and bass guitar at Forest School and South Hampshire High School for Girls.

Godfrey Sheppard

Godfrey Sheppard is a very fine English contemporary maker living and working in the town of Lancing, West Sussex. He has made many fine instruments that are being used professionally all over the World. This particular instrument was made in 1989 and is a model somewhat after the style of Postiglione. It is violin cornered with a flat shaped back. The wood used is a close grain pine with maple back and ribs. It is a fine instrument and has a big warm round sound, which in the case of Bernard O'Neil is going to be used in the Jazz field. But it must be said that Godfrey Sheppard instruments are a quality product that can be used for any style of music. We at Gallery Strings will be very happy to take commissions on the making of a special bass made entirely to your requirements.

Contact Telephone:- Bernard O'Neil 00-44-(0) 208-5328413

E-mail :- bernobass@aol.com

CD's can be bought by contacting the above telephone or E-mail addresses. The cost per CD is £12.00p which covers postage worldwide.