Guitarist and harmonica player Pat Bergeso
n has written, toured, and recorded with many of his musical heroes. Beginning at the University of Illinois in his home state, he moved on to New York City and picked up a Jazz Studies degree at William Paterson University. After playing in New York for ten years, he moved to Nashville upon the request of
Chet Atkins who heard Pat on a demo tape. Chet invited him to play on his album
"Sneakin' Around" with
Jerry Reed, and later featured Pat's guitar and compositions on his 1994 releases
"Read My Licks" and
"Simpatico" with Chet Atkins and
Suzy Bogguss. Pat continued to tour and record with Chet for several years, and was named as one of his top twelve favorite guitarists in the Oct. 2001 issue of
Vintage Guitar magazine.
A versatile guitarist and harmonica player, Pat's style incorporates jazz, blues, rock and finger style and he is known for his session work with a variety of artists. He has been in the studio with
Lyle Lovett,
Alison Krauss,
Chet Atkins,
Jerry Reed,
Dolly Parton,
Peter Frampton,
Michael McDonald,
Tommy Emmanuel,
Bill Frisell,
Martin Taylor,
Suzy Bogguss,
Chrissie Hynde,
Bill Evans,
Benny Golson,
Joey DeFrancesco, and many others. He has toured with
Chet Atkins,
Lyle Lovett,
Shelby Lynne,
Suzy Bogguss and
Madeleine Peyroux. Pat has been a teacher and producer, played on many Grammy Award-winning records, and has appeared on many movie soundtracks.
By overwhelming demand, Pat released "Hippy Dance!," a fun, funky, jazz-blues-inflected party record featuring the harmonica and guitar virtuosity of Pat Bergeson along with the tuba stylings of Dan Anderson. The record also features some of Pat's favorite musicians including
Jeff Coffin,
Steve Shapiro,
Jim White,
Roger Spencer,
Jimmy Wallace,
Will Barrow,
Charlie Chadwick,
Rod McGaha,
Roy Agee and
Michael Jefry Stevens. Available at
CD Baby and
iTunes.
Pat released a CD entitled
"Country Gentleman - A Tribute To Chet Atkins" featuring super-pickers Tommy Emmanuel, Richard Smith, Paul Yandell and Jon Randall, as well as Pat's longtime friend, Suzy Bogguss.
Pat Bergeson is currently active in Nashville as a session musician, and touring with Allman Brothers alumni
Les Brers featuring Butch Trucks, Jaimoe, Otiel Burbridge, Jack Pearson, Marc Quinones, Bruce Katz and Lamar Williams Jr.,
The Tommy Emmanuel Classics & Christmas Tour with
Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles and
Annie Sellick, soul music great,
Charles "Wigg" Walker, The Moho Trippers with
Annie Sellick, and
Annie and the Hot Club, among others.