Bernie Drayton’s 48 year career in the music industry began in New York after his graduation from Boys High in Brooklyn. Beginning in 1963, as a recording engineer with Magno Sound, Bernie recorded music and location sound for films and television shows such as Candid Camera and ABC Sports specials. While at Magno Sound, he also served as producer and program director at WLIB, the first commercial all-jazz radio 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 Bernie captured the New York club performances which became the nucleus of his live jazz recording collection, in which the last live recording of John Coltrane was captured.
In 1968, he went on to join Herman Edel Associates, a premier production house for music used in 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 & 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, Bernie created a new division at HEA to produce commercials for ethnic audiences. Through his work in this area, he fostered new awareness among advertisers and addressed a gap in advertising to this market.
Bernie is currently the founding partner of the music production company Last Minute Entertainment. Last Minute specializes in developing innovative music & sound for advertising, television, film and the internet. Last Minute redefines multimedia production with diversity, drawing on ideas and professionals from around the world.
Bernie still resides in Brooklyn with his wife Isadora.
