Abby Bernstein

Abby Bernstein is a twenty-three year old NYC-based singer-songwriter who originally hails from a tiny farm town in Western Massachusetts. The daughter of former-hippies, Abby was named after The Beatles album "Abbey Road" and grew up listening to the best blues, folk, soul, and rock n roll had to offer: Joan Baez, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones ... you name it!

Produced by Adam Blackstone of The Roots, Abby Bernstein’s debut album “I’m Not Sorry” shows a bold young artist on the verge of breaking through. The album is a declaration – and a proclamation – from an artist with vision and staying power. “The album title – and title track – is about my (and presumably others') chronic need to apologize: for all the little "mistakes" I’ve made, for where I am in life, or for what I’ve done wrong in my relationships,” says Abby. “When I was writing this album, I realized that if I didn't fall down and bump into walls every so often - which I do often! - I wouldn't have any writing material. Any experience I’ve had, be it good or bad, has provided me with a lesson and given me room to grow.” In 2009 Abby was accepted prestigious BMI Songwriters Hall of Fame Workshop (where both Lady Gaga and John Legend got their start) and in 2010 she took home the coveted New Writer award from The Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

Music runs in Abby’s blood—her grandparents were classically trained pianists and her great-great grandmother was a singer in Russia who lost her voice and immigrated to America from Russia to seek medical treatment. Abby emerged as this generation’s voice and at a very young age began putting on performances in the family living room. At ten, she began studying with a blues/gospel singer who had a strong influence on her musical development. “Blues women lay it all on the line,” says Abby. “I was captivated by the stories they told through their songs and the way they shared an experience with their audience through music.”

In high school, Abby had the chance to perform at music festivals and radio stations across New England and also at the Jazz in July program at UMASS run by renowned jazz pianist Billy Taylor and vocalist Sheila Jordan. While attending Barnard College in New York City, Abby was selected to be the vocalist for Grammy award-winning producer/trumpeter Don Sickler’s Columbia University Jazz ensemble and gigged with her band at historic NYC landmarks like BB King Blues Club, Bitter End, Living Room, and Iridium. During this time, Abby also began studying with acclaimed vocal coach Tania Travers.
Though Abby had the opportunity to train with top jazz artists, she ultimately realized that she wanted to explore other musical styles and to tell her own stories. She had always written songs but thought the jazz cats would find her style “too poppy” and the mainstream crowd would think her writing was “too bluesy.” Abby’s music fuses those two genres in a way that both pays homage and offers a completely fresh take.

Although Abby’s style is heavily rooted in the blues sentimentality, some of her songs, such as “Gentle Ben” – a heartbreak song inspired by the late sixties television show of the same name – take on a folkier vibe. What is consistent about Abby’s songs is that they are open, honest, and conversational in feel, and particularly reflect the experiences of young women.

A writer in her own right, Abby won several writing competitions both in high school and college and grounds her musical stories in vivid imagery. Two of the songs on her album, “Even Lovers Drown” and “Ivy,” were inspired by the poems of William Butler Yeats and Octavio Paz.

Since college graduation, Abby has immersed herself fully into music and songwriting, carving a place for herself in the live music scene in New York City. She also regularly travels the country for showcases and music festivals such as the Millennium Music Festival and the BMI showcase in Orlando, FL.
With her debut album “I’m Not Sorry” Produced by Adam Blackstone (The Roots, Joss Stone, Jill Scott, Eminem, Maroon 5, Usher) Abby is ready to bring her music to the masses. The debut single “Spend The Night” is currently charting at college/indie radio. Abby is the featured artist on campaigns for Pandora, ArtistShare for Songwriters and Grooveshark.

She is currently licensing her music to MTV, VH1, and Logos and her track “This Little Love” will also be featured in an upcoming episode of Regis and Kelly. She is spending this summer opening for Barenaked Ladies and recording new material.