Kristen Berardi - The Light & 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.”