Performance | Bernhoft | TEDxSeattle

Norwegian retro-soul singer/multi-instrumentalist Jarle Bernhoft has thrilled crowds around the world with his stripped-down yet amped-up one-man-band act. Largely on the strength of his looping-enhanced and awe-inspiring live show, Bernhoft racked up sales of over 250,000 copies of his sophomore album "Solidarity Breaks" and earned more than three million views for "C'Mon Talk" (a beatbox-infused, acoustic-guitar-laced single that Bernhoft performed during his September 2011 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show). Along with his looping wizardry, Bernhoft blends soulful vocals to offer a fresh take on pop music that's equal parts stylish and strikingly thoughtful.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@Imrightyourewrong1]

Thank you KZbin algorithm! Who's here during the shutdown 2020?

[@lenawayback6413]

Looks are deceiving. The first time you hear that soothing, gravelly, smooth ,concrete caramel flow outta this flannel- nerdish, Clark Kent Superman of blues- funk-soul ....it's 5 seconds of a reality check..followed by pure alignment

[@CalebG9]

honestly, this dude could be a hit if he was more well known. his skill and vocals are insane.

[@audunlode9798]

+Caleb Grace saw him live a week ago, just epic.

[@viking75ify]

+Caleb Grace couldnt anyone be a hit if they were well known?

[@JeffTheBoss17]

He sold 250k albums though

[@tapwater424]

+Jeff Pesta I wish the ISM album was more known too

[@JeffTheBoss17]

+Anti Mage It's fabulous, that's enough for me :)

[@robinthehippie95]

When you finally season your food

[@TruthWins515]

Mate! I love it! You win! 😁

[@GTL5427]

I'm fuckin dead brother

[@keririggs3152]

Hit hard🤣

[@lenawayback6413]

Looks are deceiving. The first time you hear that soothing, gravelly, smooth ,concrete caramel flow outta this flannel- nerdish, Clark Kent Superman of blues- funk-soul ....it's 5 seconds of a reality check..followed by pure alignment

[@GerardoGonzalez-zq1mc]

How he does it, it's amazing how talent abounds in this world

[@staakv90]

He is guarantied the best artist Norway has ever had. He is amazing. :)

[@ThePoohat]

Stian Åkvik what about burzum? lol

[@jtryland101]

+ThePoohat Edvard Grieg had some famous tunes as well? ;)

[@ThePoohat]

jtryland101 yes, Edvard is very famous. most people would have heard his music (at least the peer gynt suites) but many would not be able to attribute that music to his name.

[@duckgoduckgo]

his talent is so ridiculous how come ive never heard of him

[@dianemickelson4384]

He was a coach on the voice Norway that’s where I just saw him. Someone was doing his song Falter for blind auditions and fell in love with the song so now listening to more from him

[@madalitsonjobvucristoclear]

6 years later still my favorite looper dude

[@youwhokilltheprophets4857]

How'd they get a black guy to look so white?

[@ProxCyde]

+You Who Kill the Prophets Lots of snow in Norway.

[@reidunask4244]

+You Who Kill the Prophets He has a "black soul" hidden within a pale Norwegian appearance....

[@chris-Ribble-Roots]

Black man in a white mans body

[@CStrailer]

Just stop. He is a white man in a white mans body.

[@qxtr5853]

Cmon bruh, iz just a jok.

[@johnrockwell2717]

First looper I've heard who actually adheres to some sort of sensible song form.

[@nicktaylor1902]

try beardyman?

[@mkri96]

There is no blueprint for music, nothing is wrong or right. And forcing everything within frames makes it boring.

[@Samuel-H]

Dub FX, check him out and you will be amazed

[@rohansarvaria4969]

I think he means that most other loopers can't control the flow, and the looping just gets muddy and out of hand, whereas Bernhoft works his harmonies pretty well and is able to nicely fit different tracks together at different points in the songs.

[@boonloongtan7185]

u s

[@basslinin]

Stiff ass audience just sits there frozen while this dude jams lmao

[@MUSIcMaN587]

+basslinin Maybe they're just listening.

[@basslinin]

+MUSIcMaN587 ok..they're listening stiffly then lol

[@barriethompson238]

I was there. People were in shock - minds blown!

[@wtwrush]

Yeah I don’t think TED talks are really his target audience ahahah I was in the front row losing my mind, if that counts for anything

[@gerihallitvedt2533]

Yeah, get in the damn mosh pit! :D

[@tulsatombob2769]

It's funny to see a Black Man perform in "White Face". LMAO!!! I'm impressed!

[@timlois]

I hate how unimpressed the crowd is. He should play The Apollo.

[@ViniciusRaphael]

I've never heard about this guy before. How's that possible? He's has a gift.

[@dianemickelson4384]

I just heard his song Falter on the voice Norway where he was a coach fell in love with the song. Love this one too

[@kostello19]

Ido not know how to coment that Guy! Przyjacielu jesteś moim człowiekiem! :)

[@jesusferrer9832]

Visiting again for the 50th time in 2023. He's just so good. Can someone post lyrics of his songs please xD

[@HobbitFuckers]

If you guys haven't heard his old band ''Span'', you should give it a go! Search for Span - Don't Think The Way They Do. Good Rock band.

[@garry9156]

wish I had a record lable , I would sign him ......now .

[@dabuck204]

Amazing, so talented! I find it very comical when people complain about him using loops LOL. How else can one person play all parts of a song. He then plays his guitar and sings while alternating different parts that are looping. Takes so much skill and passion to do what he's doing.

[@jennboyermusic]

the timing of looping alone is a skill in itself. serious props to people who do it and still make it sound like a song (a good one lol)

[@monsterhighfan4416]

This is my first time coming across looping, for a minute I thought he was performing the vocals while lip-syncing the rest

[@monsterhighfan4416]

Where can I learn how to loop live on stage

[@benjaminvenesia6979]

This is absolutely amazing! This guy has true talent!

[@KBlocker29]

+Benjamin Venesia If you ever get the chance to see him live do yourself the favor. He's amazing.

[@angustarlinton8739]

Musicians like this deserve massive success and worldwide respect, not 'artists' like Justin Bieber or One direction.

[@Nicole.Nicole.Nicole]

So much soul...He's one in a million

[@dalemanring6624]

Unreal.... what a gift!

[@saintsamaritan]

So glad I ran across this. Def badass. If I didn't see him as a white guy I def woulda thought this was an old black pro!

[@michaelcummins2464]

The ups and downs in his voice are excellent. I like the fly away song better.

[@leefowler3240]

well connected on all levels

[@fralovagon]

he is great

[@FeFreitinhas]

Someone help him!! There's a black man trapped inside a white body.

[@nbextremebotting]

who's gonna bring out the paint?

[@LaZaritasjourney]

Felipe Freitas, someone else doesn't need to help him, though. lol

[@giggs102]

watched him live at the troubadour a couple of days ago, BEST show ive ever seen, such a musical genius, musicality just oozes out of him, monster guitar player!!

[@RobLundgren]

Dude....... Damn........ Sweet!!

[@MehmetBoysal]

Spirit of music and the rhyme moves the man.

[@almondthefurret6818]

My band teacher showed me this last Friday and I can’t stop bopping

[@EmmanuelFonte]

This was one of the best sessions that day. The vibe in the room was phenomenal.

[@348449sierra]

Wow that was reeeally good (: and his voice is just....Hes just talented

[@user-zq4ec5xp7t]

you said it!

[@lazeniyeo6682]

Razerware146 to 0

[@captainsuperfly]

Are you serious!!!Jeepers you are amazing, fricken amazing!!!!

[@homomangorilla835]

for performance basis, he got 100 up. because he knows how to perform well with presence of mind and using dynamics in every single bit. he has the skills, and i know that many people can do it. but he did it in a nice performance on stage.

[@AllanKorup]

Great talent ! -glad he kept playing despite the recession :-) ...he could have chosen the oil business like many of his fellow Norwegians :-) hehe

[@leslettresdemonmoul1]

GRANDE CLASSE ! QUEL TALENTUEUX ARTISTE ! J'ADORE !

[@BillyReedMusic]

This guy's AWESOME!! So talented!!

[@mreejeeriksson4056]

BORN WITH THE MUSIC IN HIS SOUL.. A BIG STAR IN MY WORLD.. MR: E , SWEDEN

[@alex8007]

Great Tunes man

[@Angry_Kirby]

this is in my opinion his best performance, enjoy ;) watch?v=rxoiZZ8UBEY

[@captainsuperfly]

Awesome, good Sir, Amazing vocals.

[@MissBirkemoseDK]

Jarle Jarle Jarle så insane flink du er!!!!

[@SUPERTRAMP8323]

I love this so many years... When are u coming to Berlin?

[@JetFalco]

Standing ovation after two songs. :) Most of the biggest pop musicians have to play a 2-hour production with lights, fog, band, dancers to get a response like that. But I guess standing o's happen a lot at Ted Talks. .... but most Ted Talks are longer than 2 songs and a few sentences? .....right?? Bernhoft is gonna get big this year! Just you watch!

[@Glenn71]

He used to be lead singer in a rock band that was called Span. See the video: Span - Don't think the way they do Copy this link in to the youtube seach field: j4jDNqrctcM

[@aliken9]

Any insight as to why he uses 2 microphones? been wondering for a while now

[@DavidGonzoMusic]

One is for looping, the other is just for vocals. Using one mic for all the looping that he's doing would lead to a muddy live mix.

[@EpicGambas]

The sound of the guitar he uses during Fly Away is amazing. What kind of string is he using ?

[@mihafofo]

the best, i cant stop listening to you, respect from Slovenija

[@larsguntlisbergen7487]

Sound exactly like Gavin DeGraw! Awesome

[@cristianolinhares9]

Excellent Bern! I think I've seen it a million times! kkk Fly wayyyy \o/\o/\o/

[@adelitamimi7894]

Amazing musician, incredibly talented and so cool...

[@ethansmith9306]

I found this song many years back, and I’m so glad I found it again

[@hoobymarburg167]

WOW, what an amazing one man band, green traveling and the groove always on his side.

[@garry9156]

wow ....love it !!!!

[@thaphashmusicexpressions7425]

He is simply incredible, My first and last choice of a guitarist, Listen from 5:35 if you look for more excitement, Fly away !!

[@MrPppaul]

I can't decide if I love or hate this dude. On one hand he's amazing at music, he looks super cool and funny and he's really good looking. On the other hand, I'm none of those things.

[@lewisfitzjohn]

Wow what a voice, and such groovy guitar and bass lines. I'm blown away by the 2nd song :-)

[@noemiyesfir4177]

I come back to this performance again and again, it brings bittersweet light to my heart!

[@klausrimdoi45]

You are a genious. You music is wonderful! Old man from Switzerland.

[@personone6881]

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!

[@MrRandomBim]

I really miss when he as a guitarist and did vocals for the band SPAN... I miss SPAN I general...!!

[@rocketman2350]

wow! just wow!

[@fridelisabet180]

Kimbra have done something similiar now, too. But since I'm norwegian I heard him first - but he have seen some one else do it before him. And the technic-stuff can everybody who has money and interest buy and learn how too use. He has music in his body and soul, rhythm de luxe ... A capella, Tschuss ;-)

[@noemiyesfir4177]

That was just freakin' amazing! He is one of my new faves!

[@fahadafzal1637]

one word *RESPECT*

[@lalocanico]

Lo mejor que escuché en este día.... muy bueno¡

[@bdsandaker]

You should check out his old band. Span. Not the same kind of music, but still awesome!

[@chamnewhouse]

Span should have been HUGE!! Still one of my favorite bands.

[@wearashirt]

Hey this guy is even better than John Mayer.

[@amsolo92]

such a random comparison.... apples to oranges man

[@yannickurselmann3377]

tought the same thing, his voice is clearly almost identical!

[@daniellanemusic928]

Ryan Madrid john mayer isnt anywhere near this guys talent...

[@CStrailer]

John Mayer is absolutely *nothing* compared to him. Mayer is good and talented. But Bernhofts voice is reaching both further and lower than Mayer ever would.

[@shawn2444]

I hate blues...but i love this. What is this sorcery he is performing? Another amazing artist I have somehow never heard of, why isn't this guy playing on my radio? All I get is 4 chords and some random producers hours of work to make an untalented singer sound half way decent.

[@randomguestobserving6071]

Because numb ppl listening to numb radio friendly songs don't deserve this :)

[@Osti46]

I have seldom seen & heard such a talented musician & a groovie music. do it on - I wish you the very best . Your technic is very worked out ! I love your deep voice . Rainer from Bavaria ( south Germany )

[@Levemcrynnplot]

He's inspiring and I think we could all use some of that right now and write about now. A fresh approach=Excellent!

[@pluctrem1]

This is music from soulland . Beautiful voice

[@JuliaMontblanc]

Wow) cool

[@crispinseattle]

In Norway, he played with a well known band (well known in that part of the world anyway) called SPAN. Then, apparently, a friend gave him a Sly and the Family Stone album and he fell in love with funk. So this is a labor of love for him, not a way to disengage from other musicians. Making music with other is definitely sacred and also fun, but ask any pianist (myself included) who spent hours practicing alone to perfect one piece. Solo music has its place as well.

[@joelgeorge7655]

Wonderful.....it's absolutely beautiful

[@franklyterrence4860]

Looper King

[@stevemountain3052]

Barnhoft , absoultly amasing gift to all of us ,he ranks with many others ,

[@tyoung1122]

Bernhoft just rocks!! Crazy talented. Gotta see this guy live... :)

[@albertocastro4435]

Fuck yeah he is talented a bit of everything in there

[@passtheparcel2007]

That should have been a single, as good as anything I've heard in the soul charts! Awesome! Fly Away!

[@bboix387]

1st song: ever since i was a little kid 2nd song: fly away

[@MinakitCannel]

he is from norway!

[@haukerikjacobsen3580]

Alt for norge!

[@Birkzerk]

haha he actually grew up in nittedal...my hometown!!!!! Or...han voskte opp der hvor jeg bor...i nittedal!!!!!!!!!

[@haukerikjacobsen3580]

burrekatt du er heldig, jeg er fra stavanger, sandes og bergen

[@haukerikjacobsen3580]

John York if your on youtube just to make people angry, then get the hell away

[@haukerikjacobsen3580]

John York Im sorry to, im just tired of people who want to upset others. I realize now that you are not one of them

[@christianjackson5447]

Im sat at my computer clapping dude, awesome harmonies.

[@danielcastaneda7837]

This guy embodies what I have wanted to do for years but just didn't know how about to go about doing it.

[@ahodamahingan1698]

different makes him awesome.

[@arianastewart4473]

7:38 ...... I think I died. Yep, im deceased

[@kentxx12]

No we no what Marc Rebillet Copy from ;)

[@hendrixjoe555]

When the first sound came I kept looking for an old black man, until I realized there was going to be none.

[@Zorbasrhodos]

Jarle Bernhoft was the opening act of the great Joe Cocker's tour in Germany. He is THE soul man of europe awesome! :) Saw him in the "KoePi" Arena of Oberhausen.

[@sverr0r]

Reminds me of Grimes playing live. That can ONLY be a good thing.

[@Michael-gq9cd]

Sounds like he has a cold or something. Still managed a great performance.

[@ARecipe4Happi]

Oh my days. This is amazing. I absolutely love what he's done here. So beautiful and talented. Blew my mind. Thank you

[@macarenacarneirotort6783]

He is just a music genius ❣️

[@manumateiofficial]

Wow!!!💯❤ thats a Masterpiece

[@foucaulddubern2057]

Best Feeling earth ,no doubt.

[@uwehorstmann8728]

blues alive..hope to hear more....

[@Xidentals]

His singing is even more classy than his looping skills. With this style he could easily be a writer and composer for a modern 70´s, 80´s hollywood heist movie.

[@dehoux5914]

C Gars C le must de la soul et du contre temps .. You known wanna mean ??? C BON BON ...... BonBo n .. !!! MERCI JARLE ! ! me;mf omm