Bernard "Bunny" Brunel (born March 2, 1950) is a French-American bassist, composer, arranger, producer, and instrument designer best known for his work in jazz and jazz fusion. During a career spanning more than five decades, he has performed and recorded with musicians including Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Dizzy Gillespie, Gloria Estefan, and Larry Coryell.^[1][2]

Brunel relocated from France to the United States in the late 1970s after being invited by Chick Corea to join his band. Since then he has maintained parallel careers as a solo recording artist, session musician, composer for film and television, educator, and designer of electric bass instruments. He is also a founding member of the jazz fusion band CAB.^[2][3]

Brunel was born in Nice, France. He began studying solfège at the age of six and piano at age nine. Although he initially attended the École Hôtelière de Nice with the intention of pursuing a culinary career, his interests shifted toward music after discovering the bass guitar at age fifteen.^[3]

Largely self-taught as a bassist, Brunel supplemented his studies with approximately three months of instruction in arco (bowed) double bass technique at the Conservatory of Nice. He has cited acoustic bassists Ray Brown, Sam Jones, Ron Carter, Eddie Gómez, Miroslav Vitouš, and Stanley Clarke among his principal early influences.^[2][3][4]

During the 1970s Brunel performed in Europe, including appearances with Brazilian pianist and singer Tania Maria. While performing with her at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, he was heard by Chick Corea.^[2]

According to Brunel, keyboardist Patrick Moraz introduced Chick Corea to one of his performances at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. Corea, who was seeking a bassist to replace Stanley Clarke, subsequently invited Brunel to Los Angeles, beginning Brunel's American career.^[2]

Over the course of his career Brunel has performed or recorded with artists including Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Stanley Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, Gloria Estefan, and Larry Coryell.^[2]

Brunel has released numerous solo albums spanning jazz and jazz fusion. He has stated that recording his own albums helped establish his career as a composer.^[2]

Brunel is a founding member of the jazz fusion band CAB. In 2010 he reported that the group was preparing for a European tour.^[2]

Brunel has designed signature bass guitars for Carvin. He also designed an electric upright bass intended to reproduce the sound and playing characteristics of an acoustic upright bass.^[2]

In addition to performing, Brunel has composed music for film and television. According to Brunel, his work has included collaboration with Clint Eastwood on the theme for Unforgiven and music for the television series Highlander.^[2]

Brunel has conducted bass clinics and seminars and has authored instructional books and DVDs. He has stated that his largely self-taught background influenced his teaching methods. Among the musicians he has taught are Kyle Eastwood, Marco Mendoza, and Jason Scheff.^[2]

Brunel has said that he enjoys playing tennis when not making music.^[2]