Bernadette Spray & Friends : A Benefit Show for The Autism Society of MN
Jazz, Contempory, and Classic American Songbook
For this show, Bernadette will be singing an eclectic mix of new and old jazz arrangements. She will be sharing her own journey of how jazz can be a powerful and positive way to exercise and build social connections through music.
Omar Abdulkarim: Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Pete James Johnson: Drums
Kavyesh Kaviraj: Piano
Billy Peterson: Bass
Bernadette Brownrigg Spray is a jazz singer who is making a name for herself among the Twin Cities Jazz community. With her unique style and scatting abilities, Bernadette breathes new life into the Great American Songbook. Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Bernadette discovered singing as her best way to communicate with the world around her. Bernadette’s strong affinity for jazz started at age 7. Her influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughn to name just a few. Bernadette holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Augsburg University. She has performed at Jazz Central Studios, Crooners, The Metronome, Volsteads, The Berlin, as well as Taste of MN and The Twin Cities Jazz Festival. She is a current recipient of a MN State Arts Board grant.