Biography
 photograph by Louise Maison |
Bernadette Seacrest
“With an approach that’s sassy, sexy and a little sinister, Seacrest conjures a timeless noir world with her voice, inhabiting songs obsessed with shame, lust, anger, fear, booze, murder and betrayal. Coming from her, it all sounds like something worth trying.”
-Mel Minter, Crosswinds Weekly
Bernadette’s creative path reads like the back story to a mid-century Hollywood heroine: Ballerina, Beautician, Hell Kitten, Sultry Chanteuse.
She spent her childhood in California where she studied classical dance with the renowned Los Angeles Ballet and American Ballet Theatre until an injury drove her love of drag and pageantry north east and underground. Coming of age amidst the gutter glam and jewel toned ink of New York’s early 80’s street punk scene the ballerina scraped by as a sometimes fetish model, makeup artist and clothing designer for the iconic clothing/shoe company Nana.
In 1993 Bernadette Seacrest declared Albuquerque home and in 2001 made her musical debut with one of the hottest roots rockabilly bands in the Southwest, the Long Goners. Working closely with Pat Bova, the band’s brilliant singer-songwriter, she belted out rebellious anthems in the style of Janis Martin and Wanda Jackson. They played out for two years, grabbing audiences by the collar and dragging them to their feet with performances that never failed to blow the lid off the ballroom. Bernadette, with the Long Goners, shared the stage with Hank Williams III, Jonathan Richman, Wayne “The Train” Hancock, The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Rockin’ Lloydd Tripp, Al Foul and the Shakes, Tom Walbank and Spo-dee-odee.
2003 found the burgeoning chanteuse ready to wrap her voice around the more complex musical terrain of jazz. She collaborated with acclaimed bassist and composer David Parlato for a year before forming a new band- Bernadette Seacrest and her Yes Men- with bass player/song writer extraordinaire Michael Grimes. The combo’s first album “No More Music by the Suckers” was released in 2004 and features desire drenched jazz standards as well as original songs by Grimes and former band mate Bova. Swing City Magazine wrote that the album was “… not an attempt for a one time rockabilly kitten to break into the modern day jazz scene but an attempt to break the mold, an endeavor she unconsciously accomplishes.” Their second album, “Live in Santa Fe” was released in 2005 and magically captures the smoke filled room acoustics of a sold out live performance.
Bernadette has toured extensively and played to packed audiences across the U.S. and France. She and her Yes Men have been featured on NPR and shared the stage with: Samarabalouf, Mat Firehair & the Imperators of Kool, El Senor Igor, Devil Doll and The Glenn Koster Trio.
In 2006 Bernadette followed her heart to Atlanta where she is currently working on a new project, “Bernadette Seacrest and Her Provocateurs” with guitarist Charles Williams and bassist Kris Dale. The trio recently released an EP premiering several new songs, written by Williams, that infuse Ms Seacrest’s signature dark vintage jazz sound with a deep south hue. The mood remains raw and sparse, allowing each musician’s considerable talent to shine through. Bernadette and her boys are planning a tour this summer so stay tuned for dates and venues!
written by Gwyneth Doland and Tracy Terrill
“The whole affair resembles a hand-cranked big screen romance circa 1930s, in which our heroine-as was often the case during the era-beguiles her male counterpart with sleight of sexual innuendo, the blink of a carefully attended eye and an ever-so-slightly liquor-lubricated melody.”
-Michael Henningsen, Weekly Alibi
Cool blog, interesting information… Keep it UP »
Comment by Christopher — February 14, 2007 @ 8:17 am
hello, sista how do you feel it’s your best french friends give me some news tchao bella
Comment by dao — April 4, 2007 @ 9:34 am
Hi. I just stumbled upon your website following links from The Hot Club of Cowtown. I love what you’re doing. Please come to Ontario, Canada really soon.
Comment by Jan — April 14, 2007 @ 11:12 am
Hi
I’m writing to know when will you came to Portugal for a concert.
Congratulations, by the way, for all your work you’ve done.
Keep the good work
Comment by Miguel — April 16, 2007 @ 3:01 am
congratulations on your success. i hope the only limits on what you can do are set by only yourself. much best wishes.
Comment by charlie the seed — April 18, 2007 @ 12:18 am
hey bernadette -
don’t know if you’ll remember me, but we worked together @ 606? - i was friends with adam / jason / tim . .. anyway. i live in athens now, and just got back in town in time to notice your show the night befOre -
so
sorry i missed you.
just wanted to say hello, and best wishes, and nice to se your face!
Comment by jackie lyons — April 20, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Bernadette - I just discovered your music at download.com and I love it. Best of all, I live in ABQ. I look forward to hearing your next hometown performance. Your schedule says you won’t be playing here until July. Is there anything planned here prior to that?
Comment by Don O'Neill — April 23, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
I’m slack! So it took me three months to get back at you. I want to hear more! JK>
Comment by jon kownacki — April 23, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Woah woman! We walked into the Martini Grill in ABQ waiting for the happy wave and amazing voice–and damn–you’ve gone! Shows what happens when you have children–but you could have called
M’be I’ll have to travel to Bordeaux…. Love you, love your voice, and love your website! P/.
Comment by Pete The Book — May 27, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
I love its voice, its music!
you she is very beautiful!
att: I am of Brazil.
Kisses
Thays
Comment by Thays — June 15, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
bonjour de France !!
je suis tombé par le plus grand des hasards sur ton dernier album!
j’ai pu écouter quelques chansons et je l’ai acheté.
congratulation
thierry
Comment by thierry — July 16, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Hi
Is there any chance of seeing you in England?
Your voice is like honey cutting mustard.
The best I have heard, you have a new fan.
Comment by Eddie — September 2, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Hello.
I’m a admirer from your voice, bernadette.
Adored your first cd and the last one two.
They’re are perfect.
I’m from Brazil.
I don’t know who’s your public here.
But someday, if you come to Brazil, please, let me know about it!
Comment by Gustavo Apache — September 10, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Okay.
I’ll wait it.
Every single news you could tell me about new records or shows near from here [in Brazil], don’t forget to remind me, ’cause it will be a great pleasure listen to you, live.
Take care.
Good luck.
Comment by Gustavo Apache — September 11, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Your mother in ABQ misses you.
Comment by Dorothy P. — September 28, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
your music is divine, how do I get in touch for a show before you’re off to Europe? 10-07-07?? Please call 404-521-3737 thanks
Comment by Ria's Bluebird — October 1, 2007 @ 11:05 am
I heard you are giving a concert in Paris on 17 October 2007. Is that correect ? If so, where exactly ?
Susan Owens, Paris
(sister of Alison Owens, Albuquerque)
Comment by Susan Owens — October 7, 2007 @ 3:24 am
hi dear bernadette
i just pass by here to know more about you…it’s reallly few time i’ve discoverd your fantastic music and your delicious voice.
“money” it’s such a wonderful song
i wish you really the best
good luck dear
Comment by bluefingers — October 7, 2007 @ 8:25 am
Hey, I just found out about you, I LOVE your music, Your now my FAVORITE artist.
Comment by Craig — October 8, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
Miss Bernadette,
I don’t want to sound trite but your voice is smooth as a deliciously spiked latte. Please come to Toronto so I experience you live. Or maybe I need to hop on a flight to Sante Fe and see you perform at the Swig Club.
B
Comment by Brandon Steen — October 12, 2007 @ 7:31 am
So, any concert or touring soon (november or december 07)? In Paris, maybe?
Where could we find the dates?
for information:
11/03/08 BEAUVAIS (60) Festival Blues Autour du Zinc
29/03/08 BONDUES (59) Festival Jazz en Nord
Comment by Le Sage — November 8, 2007 @ 3:37 am
Whoah!!
What a voice.
I’m not even sure how I ended up on this site. LOL!
Lovely Lovely…
Coming to Miami anytime soon?
Beautiful beautiful voice!
Eva
Comment by Eva — November 21, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
Hello, Bernadette, I’d been here before, and now I came back to know about your cds, here in Brazil is such hard find them, so I would like an information if I can get them by mail, you know, a bank account information to send the money and then recieve the cds?
If you have another possibilities or information how I can find a cd of yours here, I’ll be glad.
Thanks.
See ya.
Comment by Gustavo Apache — December 5, 2007 @ 10:35 am
Hi
Love the music.
Get this though: I’m 48 and obsessed that I cannot gain the Myspace friendship I crave so I can keep up with you. Isn’t that silly? I type in the last name and the capcha and… nothing! No go. I’m obsessive now. What’s the secret?
LOVE your music/singing so thank you!
Kurt
Comment by Kurt — May 11, 2008 @ 5:11 pm