LAURA’s DISCOGRAPHY, SOLO & SHOWS

“Perth vocalist Laura Bernay grew up in a musical family in the U.S.A. She has covered many facets of music, studied classical flute and has a strong French connection in her family heritage plus a French husband to whom this album is dedicated.

The CD covers a wide range of styles and compositions in the twelve tracks, tipping her hat to composers such as Benny Golson, Bill Evans, Johnny Mandel, Clifford Brown, Michel Legrand, Cole Porter, Romberg and Poulenc with two from Joni Mitchell.

Several of the songs are sung in French. She has a quality voice, a wide vocal range, navigates tricky arrangements with finesse and is particularly adept at vocalise/scatting”.

Jazz Scene Australia

“Laura Bernay’s ‘éclectique’ covers a wide range of styles and compositions…..a quality voice with a wide vocal range, navigating tricky arrangements with finesse and particularly adept at vocalise and scatting.”

Australian Jazz Scene

“Congratulations on your CD! The nice thing about this CD is that it takes a few plays to really start appreciating all the work that went into it, in other words even after playing it more than 5 times I hear something new the next time.

Paul Millard is great on Night and Day, and Mike Nelson is always good, Murray Wilkins and Peter Evans, world class!”

Peter Wakeford
Presenter of “Jazz Swing and other Good Things”, Capital Radio Perth for 10 years

“It’s fantastic!”

Paul McIntyre
ABC Radio Hobart

“After the first listen I was enthralled. Subsequent listenings made me appreciate why you chose those songs and how vital it was for you to be content with your arranger. You guys are a great team and the musicianship is second to none. Your voice is better than ever–what a range! Thank you again for providing me with such great pleasure–you are so gifted.”

Bruce Lizotte
U.S.A.

“A fantastic show, what a voice! And an entertainer to boot- she keeps the audience involved and entranced with her humour, those sultry tones , and her easy engagement with the rest of the band. We’ll be back for more!”

Erin

“Not many people would connect Mario Lanza’s ”Be my love” and Frank Sinatra’s “Come fly with me” as having a common thread… but thanks to the ingenuity of Perth songstress Laura Bernay, a delighted audience at the 2014 Noosa Jazz Festival were presented with a unique 90 minute’s insight into the writing talents of Mr Sammy Cahn, who wrote many of the great lyrics that have become the standard bearer ,and source of inspiration to so many jazz and other singers over the last 50 years.”

Noosa Jazz Festival
Review of “The Sammy Cahn Tribute Cabaret Show”

“Congratulations on your CD! The nice thing about this CD is that it takes a few plays to really start appreciating all the work that went into it, in other words even after playing it more than 5 times I hear something new the next time.

Paul Millard is great on Night and Day, and Mike Nelson is always good, Murray Wilkins and Peter Evans, world class!”

Peter Wakeford
Presenter of “Jazz Swing and other Good Things”, Capital Radio Perth for 10 years

“In a jazz festival that this year was marred by the appearance of a number of artists who had almost no connection to the real world of jazz, it was a revelation to hear a jazz tribute, to a great song writer, perfectly executed by a professional and highly talented quartet, headed up by a singer who loved and enjoyed what she was doing. This show deserves a wide audience!”

Peter Wakeford
Ex presenter of ”Jazz ,Swing and other good things” on Perth’s Capital Radio 101.7fm.

“Laura Bernay’s show was outstanding. I was enthralled. In addition to having a rich, clear and magnificent voice, she has a delightfully engaging stage presence which helps bring the songs to life and honours her backing musicians. Also, she gave brief but thoughtful comments on the music itself and its place in our culture, which I found very interesting.”

Dr Bruce WS Robinson
“West Australian of the Year 2013”
Am MBBS MD FRACP FRCP DTM&H FCCP Professor of Medicine School of Medicine and Pharmacology-Consultant Respiratory Physician
Dept of Respiratory Medicine, SCGH

“There are times in your life when unexpected gems catch you by surprise. Heidi and I had such an experience last Friday night when we saw Laura Bernay in her show“from Porter to Piaf” at The Alliance Française.

Laura is a fluent French speaker and made the best of her language skills to charm the audience. The theme of the night juxtaposed the reality of the bohemian street life and the romantic American view of the songwriters who lived in Paris in the early and middle twentieth century. Song selections from Edith Piaf to Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hammerstein filled the night air. Laura’s witty and insightful patter seamlessly took us from one scenario to another, illuminating a vivid history from opposing perspectives.

Mike Nelson’s brilliant quartet flavoured the music with an easy jazz ambience and Laura’s beautiful confident voice made time stand still for those of us fortunate enough to be there.”

Dennis and Heidi Sheppard
South Perth

“I was enveloped in sound. ‘Padam’ really did something for me: I was already warmed up to being present, the tone was so French, the band let you have the lead and you were like Piaf incarnated. Your voice was just so satisfying!”

Meta Doherty