Sarah Bernadette NEW EP - “Sad Poems On My Phone”

Sarah Bernadette (vocals) Piano - George Behrakis Bass - Samantha Reiss Drums - Caleb Montague Horns - Miles Keingstein (trumpet), Ben Mizrach (alto sax), Garrett Frees (tenor sax).   Recording engineer - Dan Moffat Mixing + Mastering - Stewart Mitchell

Sarah Bernadette is a New Jersey-born singer-songwriter whose music fuses pop, jazz, and R&B influences to create a unique sound. She has her master’s degree from New England Conservatory in Contemporary Improvisation (’21) and her Bachelor of Music in Songwriting and Voice Performance from Berklee College of Music ('18).

Roots Music Report review:

“With its mix of highly original cabaret-style jazz-pop vocals, Sarah Bernadette's 2023 CD/EP - Sad Poems On My Phone - successfully introduces the young Ms. Bernadette to a new generation of music fans.  Although only 3 songs / 16-minutes long, the music within clearly presents a snapshot of a contemporary jazz-based artist deeply committed  to her craft. Sarah's actual last name is Matsushima but she releases music under her stage name: Sarah Bernadette

A crew of  talented musicians support Sarah on these 3 new songs yet her voice shines through and overall, the CD/EP is a fine introduction for new fans and those that missed her earlier releases including her full-length CD simply called New Leaves. Sarah's music is a fine example of the expertise she crafted during her studies at the New England Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music.

After listening, it's safe to say that Sad Poems On My Phone is a very mature sounding set of songs from a young woman that is surely ready to climb the musical ladder to bigger and better things. Fans of jazz vocals, pop, cabaret and even Broadway will be surely enchanted by Sarah Bernadette and her music. Music fans can look forward to Ms. Bernadette's long, fruitful career" - Robert Silverstein

 

Roots Music Report speaks to Sarah Bernadette:

RMR: How long have you been recording and how would you compare your new EP to your other releases?

Sarah:  I have been recording since I was a teenager, but didn’t release anything officially until my debut EP, Sakura, came out in 2018. I released a Bandcamp-only EP, Blue Summer, as well as a single called Bright Side in 2019, and in 2020 I put together a remotely produced EP during peak quarantine called in/process. Last year I released my debut album, New Leaves. This latest release, sad poems on my phone, is definitely a bit of a departure stylistically from my previous releases. While the music I have put out has always been what I would call jazz-adjacent, my previous releases have tended toward the more pop-influenced side as well. sad poems on my phone fuses in a much more experimental side to my songwriting, which I have been starting to toy with and use as a compositional device much more in the past couple of years. I love the way that using elements of free music can allow me to explore a more varied palette of musical and emotional expressions. This EP, which began (as the title would show) as sad poems I wrote late at night on my phone’a note app, so I wanted the music to match the angst of the lyrics. The more experimental, freer elements bring more of that angst to life, and give me more flexibility in what I can convey vocally.

RMR: What are you planning for your next album?

Sarah: Right now I do not have specific plans for 2023, but I definitely would like to release a full length album in the future with more music in the jazz / experimental realm - hopefully sooner rather than later! 

 

Sarah Bernadette's music is deeply personal; through her writing and her performances, she hopes to form meaningful connections with her audience and listeners. She is an expressive performer and improviser with a love for jazz voice. Sarah has worked with Kathleen Flynn, Dominique Eade, Cristi Catt, and more recently Grammy-winner Cecile McLorin Salvant, whom she considers one of her biggest musical inspirations. You can find Sarah Bernadette’s music on all streaming services, including her debut album “New Leaves” as well as her most recent release, “sad poems on my phone” 

 

“Sad Poems On My Phone” 

1. Do You Know What Betrayal Is – 3.25                       

2. How Badly – 5:43

3. I Wish I Didn’t Hate You – 7:07

“Sarah Bernadette dives deep whether breathing new life into a well-known cover or sharing her original songs. Her voice is alluring as she moves with ease through a wide range of genres. -  Cristi Catt

"Sarah Bernadette possess a riveting voice. She's a gifted songwriter, interpreter, and a thrilling performer." - Dominique Eade

“Sarah Bernadette's singing and songwriting reflect a deep understanding of the jazz tradition, while at the same time honestly communicating her own unique musical perspective, drawing on a wide range of contemporary styles.” - Ken Schaphorst

Contacts: www.sarahbernadettemusic.com   Blujazz Promotions - Greg Pasenko - info@blujazz.com