Kristin Berardi - The Light and the Dark

Vocalist Kristin Berardi’s new release, The Light and the Dark, brings to light the beauty and injustices that occur in life. Expect honesty, raw emotion, and dynamic performances from modern jazz luminaries including trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, pianist Miro Sprague, double bassist Marty Jaffe, and drummer Jerome Jennings. Guest appearances include saxophonist Troy Roberts and bassist Sam Anning, who also produced the session.

“This album is an offering of solace,” reflects Kristin. “It’s one thing to intellectually know that one’s life can contain blessings and trials, but at times you can feel so alone as you are making your way through the tougher days.” For Kristin, the album hopes to capture the stories, the sounds, and the intention of all those present: “You will hear the light and the dark, the deception and the truth, the collapse and the rise, which you will no doubt know only too well.”

After receiving Australia Council for the Arts support, Kristin and bassist-cum-producer Sam Anning ventured from Brisbane and Melbourne respectively to New York City to record with some of their favourite musicians. “Each of these pieces are about real people, from real life. All of the musicians took so much care to understand and capture the essence of the music,” explains Kristin.

The Light and the Dark shuns the tradition of typical jazz vocal albums, where the singer is the main attraction, and the musicians need to express something meaningful in often a short number of bars. “I wanted to allow space for the musicians to express and be open to anything musically,” reflects Kristin. “I aimed to provide a vehicle for the band to be fully present and flow where the music took them.”

Sam Anning’s musical integrity and creative finesse were invaluable in putting the collaboration together. “From his ears in the rehearsal time, to writing some crazy ‘soli’ lines, to helping with the wordless song, Bunker, the night before, to him hearing added vocal parts at the end of A Lie - Sam was completely invested in the music and was able to communicate what it needed to all present,” reflects Kristin.

One of the pieces on the album is by fellow Australian, Mark Sholtez. Mark had much success with the Verve jazz label as a singer and has had an ongoing connection with Kristin. “Mark and I were dreaming up collaborations, when he showed me the track What you Want,” explains Kristin. “This song really touched me. It was as if he seemed to have written a song about exactly how I was feeling at that time. It took me the best part of a year to be able to sing it through without crying, so I am thankful he shared it with me when he did! To sing this song with my friend Miro Sprague, who plays it with tenderness indescribable, was just such a privilege.”

Ingrid Jensen is one of her generations’ most gifted trumpeters, and a highly in-demand trumpeter in the New York scene. Kristin reflects, “Ingrid’s tone on this record is a tribute to the role she has had in my life - encouraging me, calling me onwards, to keep striving and growing, and to keep searching for beauty in music. Ingrid lifts any band she is a part of, and she had the same effect on this session.”

Double bassist Marty Jaffe is a strong and versatile regular on the New York City scene.  He and pianist Miro Sprague have a long standing musical connection, and this is evident in the way they compliment and anticipate each other. “Marty’s attention to detail and his incredible facility on the double bass is astonishing,” explains Kristin. “He also shows his gorgeous arco playing in Slow Waltz - the perfect addition to this piece. Miro’s deep connection to beauty and to groove is always on display.” Miro has been an active member of the New York and LA scenes for many years, and is highly regarded for his writing and his work with singers such as Sara Gazarek.

Drummer Jerome Jennings has worked with the Lincoln Centre Orchestra, through to Sonny Rollins. When Kristin met Jerome in Brisbane, she knew he would be the right fit for the music. “This turned out to be the right decision as throughout the rehearsal and recording he took great care in understanding each story, finding the right sounds to shape the mood and development of each song,” explains Kristin. “His empathy, integrity and drive can be felt in this recording.”

New York based Australian saxophonist Troy Roberts tours with an array of his own projects as well as part of bands led by drummer Jeff Tain Watts and organist Joey DeFrancesco. He graces one track on the album, Bunker, named after the recording studio used in Brooklyn. This track was written to feature the horns players - Ingrid and Troy.  Kristin recalls, “The three front line (Ingrid, Troy and Kristin) improvise together at one point on this track - it’s a real highlight on the album for me! I have admired Troy’s playing since I first heard him in 1999 and have followed his career with such interest and respect. I was thrilled to feature him on this album.”

Sam Anning has a world wide reputation as a bass player, and composer, having toured extensively throughout Australia, North America and Europe. The Light and the Dark is his first album to produce. Sam and Kristin have played together for ten years, and have developed much respect and trust. “Sam is a highly skilled musician who is kind, and diplomatic; he was able to get the best out of all present for those rehearsals and two days of recording,” explains Kristin.

Soaring power and delicate nuances make Kristin Berardi one of Australia’s most gifted jazz singers. She is universally acknowledged as a vocalist of rare talent and technique that continues to astonish, and endear herself to, audiences around the world. Her music uses the voice to advocate for the lesser known stories, telling a myriad of personal reflections on life, relationships, love and the everyday trappings of one’s existence. Having received every notable Australian jazz prize, as well as the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival’s International Vocal Competition, Kristin’s original compositions and peerless interpretations showcase her exquisite timbre and effortless improvisations. Originally from Mackay, in far northern-eastern Australia, she now resides in Lucerne, Switzerland, a staff member at the HSLU - Institute of Jazz and Folk Music. Berardi has released 13 solo albums and worked with an increible list of artists throughout Australia, Europe and North America, including Kenny Werner, Thomas Morgan and Dan Tepfer.