Durand Bernarr
„BLOOM“-Tour
Virtuosic and full of warmth: the newly crowned Grammy winner blends soul, funk, and R&B into a progressive sound infused with a strong sense of community.
Dates
8/21/26
10:00 PM
The triple nomination and Grammy win for Best Progressive R&B Album marked a provisional high point in Durand Bernarr’s career in 2026. The 37-year-old, son of a church musician and a sound engineer, had already accompanied his father on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire at the age of 16. He first gained online cult status through cover songs and was later recruited by Erykah Badu as a background vocalist. Collaborations with Ari Lennox and Anderson Paak followed, as did his 2020 debut album DUR&, which drew comparisons to D'Angelo and already showcased his signature sound: with an extended vocal range, Bernarr weaves funk, soul, and contemporary R&B into a style that prioritizes layering and density over stylistic purity. This approach continues on his third, Grammy-winning album BLOOM (DSING Records), an ode to love beyond romance and to the power of community, friendship, and collective care. Bernarr - whose interests also extend to acting and comedy - translates this ethos into immediate live experiences on stage. A glimpse of this can be seen in his Tiny Desk Concert for NPR -a perfect way to build anticipation for his exclusive club performance at the Summer Festival.
