Bernard Drayton..s 41 year career in the music industry began in his native New York, after his graduation from Boys High in Brooklyn.Beginning in 1963 as a recording engineer with Magno Sound, Bernard recorded music and location sound for films and for such television shows as
Candid Camera and ABC Sports specials. While at Magno Sound, he also became associated as producer and program director with radio station WLIB, the first commercial all-jazz station in New York City. There he was responsible for producing and programming music and specials.
It was while producing WLIB's Del Shields show that Bernard captured the
New York club performances which became the nucleus of his live jazz collection.
In 1968, he went on to join Herman Edel Associates, a premier production house of music for commercials, rising to the level of Vice President for sales, promotion and production. Under his auspices HEA created music for a wide variety of clients including Proctor and Gamble, TWA, Pepsi Cola, Burger King, McDonalds and the Miller Brewing Company.
Recognizing the growing alienation in the marketplace by minority groups long ignored by many sponsors, Bernard created a new division at HEA to produce commercials for ethnic audiences. The growing affluence and more demanding purchasing power of Afro-Americans and Hispanics found a gap in the advertising of major products for this market, and Bernard has fostered a new awareness among the advertisers, following through by servicing them with appropriate music for their message.
Bernard is currently a founding partner of the music production company LAST MINUTE ENTERTAINMENT.
Last Minute specializes in developing innovative music for advertising, utilizing the talents of established recording artists as well as new and exciting artists with diverse ethnic backgrounds from around the world.
Last Minute has currently expanded into artist management, music publishing, recording and composing music for film and television. Among the highlights of Bernie's amazing career is recording THE OLATUNJI CONCERT: THE LAST LIVE RECORDING OF JOHN COLTRAINE.Bernard still resides in Brooklyn with his wife of forty-Seven years.
