Bernie is one of the most sought after drummers in Canada. He leads his own ensembles such as the Bernie Arai Trio and creates experimental electronic music under the pseudonym Underscore. He also co-leads a sextet called Ugetsu with Jon Bentley.

Bernie has worked with many of the finest musicians such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Don Thompson, Michael Blake, Phil Woods, Gary Bartz, Bobby Shew, Seamus Blake and countless others.

He has played with the Vancouver and Toronto Symphony Orchestras, and teaches at the University of B.C. and the Vancouver Community College.