In the 1980s Bernard was a member of the Hieroglyphics Ensemble led by
Peter Apfelbaum. In the 1990s he formed the band T. J. Kirk in San Francisco with
Charlie Hunter and John Schott. The band's name "James T. Kirk" was taken from
James Brown,
Thelonious Monk, and
Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
Palmetto released his debut solo album,
Blue Plate Special, in 2008. He has also worked with
The Coup,
John Ellis,
John Medeski,
Stanton Moore, and
Jai Uttal. ==Awards and honors==