The Jazz Singer

When Audrey Bernstein picks up a microphone, people take notice.

Her velvety voice, good looks, and ability to connect with an audience are what you’d expect to find at a big-city venue.

No wonder she’s getting regular bookings at restaurants, coffeehouses and clubs, from Burlington to Morrisville. She has also performed at the Burlington Jazz Festival, and is often hired for private events.

What’s remarkable is that Bernstein, a former professional snowboarder, didn’t start pursing her music career full-throttle until last year.

“It’s actually quite amazing what a difference a year of practicing and performing can make,” Bernstein said. “Last year, I would stand perfectly still, try to hide on stage, and never sing anything other than the melody. I suppose now I’m actually more than comfortable at times. I’m becoming addicted to it. I guess all musicians are; otherwise, they wouldn’t be playing out every night.”

Berstein performs with some of Vermont’s best jazz musicians, including Joe Capps, Chris Peterman, John Moore, Nick Aloi, Julian Chobot, Tony Pietracola, Doug Reid, Adam Clark, Gabe Jarrett. She refers to them as “the Jazzers.”

“Yes, there are about 21 musicians I perform with, but not all at the same time,” Bernstein said. “But I would love to do a big-band show someday.”

She’s been buoyed by the support she’s received since moving to Stowe in 2009.

“Practically everyone in this town has said something encouraging to me,” Bernstein said. “That’s pretty special.”

Bernstein is single and lives in Stowe village with her rabbit, Blue.

A dream deferred

Bernstein was just 8 years old when she held a microphone for the first time. After her father pushed her on stage at her cousin’s bar mitzvah party, she belted out a few lyrics from “Isn’t She Lovely.”

“Every one stopped dancing and came up to the stage,” Bernstein said. “It was amazing. … Everyone was excited and complimentary.”

She sang occasionally after that, but not until last year, when she was in her 40s, did she decide to pursue a professional singing career.

“For some reason, I never kept it up,” Bernstein said. “I’d do it for a little while here and there, even in LA for about a year. But I was always so terrified of failing. I really didn’t have my own voice or style yet, so I would do something else, like become a pro snowboarder, or start an event company, or open a bakery.

“I always knew that singing was the most special thing to me, and I was just so afraid of failing at it, I think.”

She supplements her singing gigs by doing freelance graphic design, marketing and social-media communications.

Her work experience is helpful when it comes to promoting herself. Bernstein handles everything from connecting with venues to designing press kits to collaborating with other musical artists.

Why jazz?

Bernstein started listening to jazz when she was in her 30s.

“A boyfriend at the time introduced me to Chet Baker’s music,” Bernstein said. “I had never heard Chet Baker. I fell in love with his sound. Then Julie London, Blossom Dearie, Astrid Gilberto and, of course, Ella Fitzgerald, especially when she sings with Louis Armstrong; they are so much fun. It would have been amazing to be around the two of them, I’m sure.

“Now I’m obsessed with Frank Sinatra — the moves, the style, the voice. It’s hot.”

She’s inspired by jazz’s musical arrangements.

“I think was attracted to the emotions in jazz, to the subtlety and space, the improvising that goes on in jazz,” Bernstein said. “I listen to a lot of jazz with no vocals, as well — Vince Guaraldi, Art Tatum, Charles Mingus, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, Cannonball Adderly, John Coltrane, Charley Parker.

“It’s hard to really put a finger on why I like jazz so much. It’s just what I like. Some people like mustard and some like ketchup. I like so many different types of music, but if I had to listen to something forever, it would be jazz, probably Chet Baker.”

Feeling the music

Bernstein believes her life experiences make her performances more heartfelt than if she had sung the same songs when she was younger.

“I guess I give it my all when I’m performing, so you’re either going to be crying your heart out or tapping your foot when you come to see me,” Bernstein said. “And I’m going to be doing the same, but usually I keep the tears down and the foot-tapping up. When I’m on, I’m on, joking with the audience, seducing them, playing the drums, goofing around with my band. It’s a fun show.”

She counts standards such as “But Beautiful,” “Black Coffee,” “There’s No Great Love,” and “You Don’t Know What Love Is” as some of her favorite songs to perform.

“These are very emotional songs,” Bernstein said. “They can be difficult to do if you’re is having a bad day or love-life problems, but thank goodness I’m married to music now and, of course, my bunny, Blue.”

“I’m really loving Frank Sinatra right now, so we’ve been doing a lot of songs like ‘The Best Is Yet to Come,’ ‘The Lady Is a Tramp,’ ‘Angel Eyes,’ etc. I used to sing mostly slow, sad songs, but luckily for my friends and the audience, we’re doing a lot of very fun songs now. It gets pretty swinging.

“And then there are the bossa nova songs that are just so perfect — ‘How Insensitive, ‘Meditation,’ ‘Corcovado.’ They’re just heaven to me.”

New York, LA, Europe

Bernstein appreciates the intimate venues that are ubiquitous to the Vermont music scene.

“Vermont is good for me,” Bernstein said. “I’m getting my legs under me here.”

But she has big dreams.

“I do want to continue to move forward,” Bernstein said. “Right now, I’m also starting to look for management, and trying to book more shows outside of Vermont, in places like New York, Los Angeles, Montreal and Boston. And I’d love to put together a little tour in Europe.

“I’m also looking forward to collaborating live with some other musicians this year and maybe putting together a big, fun holiday show.”

She’s recording her first album. Last summer, she recorded a demo with some of the Jazzers at the Charles Eller Recording Studio in Colchester. Now, she’s working on a new recording with John Moore at his Mountain View Recording Studio in Underhill Center.

“Hopefully, many of musicians that I play with are going to be on it, and that should be ready in the fall,” Bernstein said.

Schedule

Saturday, Aug. 11, 6-9 p.m., Cork, Music in the Alley, Waterbury: Audrey with musician Joe Capps.

Saturday, Aug. 18, 7:30-10:30, Bee’s Knees, Morrisville: Audrey with musicians Julian Chobot, Cory Beard and Don Einhorn.

Sunday, Aug. 19, 7-10 p.m., Red Square, Burlington: Audrey with musicians Julian Chobot, Cory Beard, Dan Liptak and Nick Aloi.

Saturday, Sept. 1, 7-10 p.m., Cork, Waterbury: Audrey with musicians Greg Evans. Cory Beard, Dan Liptak and Don Einhorn.

Thursday, Sept. 20, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Bees Knees, Morrisville: Audrey with musicians Julian Chobot, Cory Beard and Don Einhorn.

More information and music samples: audreybernsteinjazz.com