Johann Bernhard Bach (1676-1749) was born in Erfurt. From 1686 he took lessons from his father, Johann Aegidius Bach, who was organist and music director of the town council. It is also possible that he studied with Johann Pachelbel. From 1695 on he was organist at the Kauffmanskirche in Erfurt and in 1703 he became town organist at the Georgenkirche and principal harpsichordist of the court orchestra of Duke Johann Wilhelm of Sachsen-Eisenach. After the death of his uncle Johann Christoph Bach he assumed his duties, after his cousin Johann Nicolaus Bach had refused to take them up. From 1708-1712 it is known that he collaborated with Georg Phillip Telemann, who led the court orchestra during this period.
