Obituary of Bernard Charles Wright

Bernard Charles Wright was born on November 16, 1963 to Lessie Mae Brewington and Charles Bernard Matthews in Queens, New York.

Bernard was raised by his grandmother, Ola Mae Crawford, who preceded him in death in 1985.

On September 15th, 1984 Bernard entered into Holy Matrimony with Anita Chambers Wright. Three children were born to their  union. 

Bernard’s musical gift was discovered at the age of 5 when he sat down with a toy piano for the first time and played “Silent Night”. 

Bernard was mentored throughout his life by Lenny White, Marcus Miller, Denzil Miller, Donald Blackman, Weldon Irvine, George Benson and other brilliant musicians in New York. 

During his early years in Queens, Bernard was a member of The Junior Firebolts. He toured with Lenny White at the age of 12 and was also a member of the Jamaica Boys with Lenny White, Marcus Miller, William “Spaceman” Patterson, Mark Stevens and Dinky Bingham. 

Bernard became a member of the Dallas music community where his wife, Anita, was born and raised. He embraced the musicians there and was a devoted teacher, mentor and friend to the countless musicians that he grew to know and love. 

Bernard’s pride and joy was mentoring and then seeing the success of the beloved Snarky Puppy and others whom he mentored while in Texas. He dreamed of joining the New York and Texas musicians into one community as “The New-Tex Connect”. 

A highlight of Bernard’s life was his role as Roberta Flack’s Music Director for six years. Ms. Flack was not only a mentor but also a mother figure to Bernard. He loved her dearly and considered her as his “Mama”. 

Throughout his life, Bernard enjoyed many successes touring and recording with Lenny White, Marcus Miller, The Jamaica Boys, Miles Davis, Stanley Clarke, Wayne Shorter, Johnny Griffith, David Sanborn, Sadao Watanabe, Tom Browne, Doug E Fresh, Bobby Browne, Tom Braxton, Yarbrough and Peoples, Wayman Tisdale, Cameo, The Winans, The MAC Band, Jon Gibson, Tim Miner, Cindy Cruse, Fred Hammond, Commissioned, Lala Cope and countless others. 

Bernard leaves to mourn Anita Chambers Wright, their children Bernard Marcus Wright (Alicia Wright), Christopher Charles Wright and Victoria Anita Wright, his beloved grandchildren Emma, Micah and Hope, Brother Charles Bernard Matthews (Kathy H. Matthews), the children and grandchildren of his beloved sister Charlene Matthews Bethea (who preceded him in death), Sister in law Dr. Carla Chambers Hammond, Cousin in Law Pierre Craig (Juevette), and his loving Aunts by marriage Dolores Craig and Edwina Gilliam. Bernard also leaves to mourn many nieces, nephews and beloved friends and families who loved him as their own family member in New York and Dallas.