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BEST VOCALIST: Bernadette Seacrest

"Not since Francine Reed settled here 25 years ago has a singer new to the Atlanta scene made such an indelible first impression as BERNADETTE SEACREST. The irony is that the jazz chanteuse is more popular in Europe than in her adopted city, but don’t expect that to last long. Seacrest sings torch songs with a fragile and haunting voice that is Billie Holiday cross-pollinated with Madeleine Peyroux. Both members of her two-piece band are alumni of Col. Bruce Hampton — former Aquarium Rescue Unit guitarist Charlie Williams and current Quark Alliance bassist Chris Dale. Seacrest, who moved to Atlanta from Albuquerque in 2006, didn’t even take up singing until six years ago. Catch her now before Atlanta finally discovers her. You’ll be struck first by her tattoos, then you’ll be captivated by her voice."

"I heard Bernadette Seacrest sing at Daddy D'z on a recent Wednesday and was blown away. Her version of "Body and Soul" was an almost eerie, beautiful evocation of Billie Holiday. Seacrest performs 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays. By the way, there is a connection between Seacrest and Alix Kenagy, the owner of Partners and Indigo Coastal Grill, two (defunct) restaurants that were important in the maturation of Atlanta's dining scene. But you'll have to figure out the connection yourself. ..."

"I feel as if I've stumbled into the last bar open at 3am in a dark alley in New Orleans. What a great moody performance by one of my favorite artists!"

"...Her blunt-cut bangs and vintage sleeve-tattoos make her look more like a Suicide Girl than a run-of-the-mill chanteuse, but her girlish voice recalls the sweet pain of a young Billie Holiday..."

"Hailing from Albuquerque, Seacrest is a refreshing departure from the squeaky-clean jazz-tootsie camp Jane Monheit and Nellie McKay. Just hitting the 40 mark, this heavily tattooed former punk adds a playful Barbara Stanwyk, here-comes-trouble feel to the torch-singing chanteuse formula."

".....Whenever this tattooed temptress sings tempestuous torch songs about lovers who "couldn't keep the faith," or croons classic covers like Mama Cass' "Dream a Little Dream of Me," this quirky Albuquerque chanteuse makes us want to do wild things..."

".....Albuquerque's Bernadette Seacrest released a new CD this year, becoming one of the most memorable music talents of 2004 ......... Add to the list Albuquerque's shining new local talent, Bernadette Seacrest, whose velvety voice recalls the finest chanteuses of the 40's on her sassily titled, knockout CD 'No More Music by the Suckers.'"

• top selling local artist in Albuquerque and Santa Fe
• tops the list of sexiest female musicians by SWWIK
• featured on NPR
• editors pick on download.com and cdbaby.com

"Just found a website for a woman that i consider the great love of my youth; Bernadette Seacrest. She wasnt a singer then but she is now. She IS now. She has a myspace page for anyone curious. Torchy stuff. To pull off this sort of music i think you need at least a certain amount of genuine soul. Otherwise its unlistenable. Bernadette has this quality in spades, both as a person and as an artist. This footage of her doing a half-speed version of Billie Holidays 'My Man' is fucking gorgeous."

For more reviews and photos please visit bernadetteseacrest.com

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