Laura Fernandez

Laura Maria Fernandez[1] (born 1960[2] on 20 May) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, pianist, music producer, artist, radio host, and real estate agent. Fernandez was born in Madrid, Spain. In 2003, she was named Best Soft Rock musician at the New York International Independent Music Festival.[3] She hosts Café Latino on JazzFM91 (formerly CJRT), Toronto, and her Latin-music was produced by Billy Bryans.[4][5]

For the Mexican politician, see Laura Fernández Piña.
Laura Fernandez
Born1960
Madrid, Spain
Occupation(s)Musician, artist, broadcaster

Early life

Fernandez was born in Madrid, Spain. She moved from Madrid to Switzerland and then to Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her family. Her father was an engineer, writer and a painter. In grade 7 she studied piano at The Royal Conservatory of Music.[6]

She graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design with Honours (1983). She met artist Rick Jacobson while in college. They married and moved to Toronto, Ontario. They started their own business: Jacobson Fernandez Illustration.[7]

Visual arts

Fernandez painted the Maple leaf logo for Air Canada.[3] Fernandez also created the painted trillium used on the Ontario Driver's License.[3]

Fernandez has done illustrations for children's book like Jeremiah Learns to Read, Picasso Soul On Fire, Anne of Green Gables, and The Magnificent Piano Recital.[8][9][10][11] She has also produced work for Margaret Atwood, Robertson Davies, Richard Francis Burton, Bill Gates, Sr., David Thomson, and Christopher Ondaatje.[12]

Fernandez has won awards with Rick Jacobson, including the Toronto Art Director's Awards, Communication Arts Magazine's Award of Excellence, the Ruth Schwartz Award,[13] and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award gold medal for illustration from the Canadian Library Association for the Magnificent Piano Recital in 2001.

Music career

Fernandez started song writing when she was 12, writing in Spanish. She won the Soft Rock Award at the International Independent Music Festival in 2003.[3][14] She released her first album, The Other Side, in 2003.[6] She hosted an open mic night from 2003 to 2008.

In 2008, Fernandez started as radio host for Cafe Latino on JazzFM91.[3] She released a Latin music album in 2010 called Un Solo Beso, which was produced by Billy Bryans.[4] In 2020 Laura Fernandez released a collection of 13 songs titled Okay, Alright, which she co-produced with Grammy award-winning producer and mastering engineer Peter J Moore. She continues to perform live.[5][14][15][16][17][18]

Fernandez is sponsored by Steinway & Sons. She is one of 19 Canadian musicians sponsored by Steinway.[14]

Real estate

Fernandez has been selling real estate since 2007.[3] She received the Diamond Award for Excellence in Real Estate.[19]

Discography
  • 2003 – The Other Side (Independent)
  • 2010 – Un Solo Beso (Independent)
  • 2020 – Okay, Alright

References
  1. . Library and Archives Canada data at VIAF.org. Retrieved 2015-07-30.
  2. . Library of Congress data at LCCN.loc.gov. Retrieved 2015-07-30.
  3. REM Monthly article by Susan Duran "Life’s an adventure for multi-tasking Laura Fernandez", Laura Fernandez featured in REM Monthly.
  4. CBC Billy Bryans Testimonial, Billy Bryans Testimonial.
  5. Tandem Magazine Funny Girls and Divas fundraiser article Archived 2013-06-28 at archive.today, Laura Fernandez music produced by Billy Bryans.
  6. Beach Metro Community News, Laura Fernandez bio in Beach Metro News.
  7. "About". Jacobson Fernandez Illustration. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  8. OaC announces Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz award winners Archived 2014-02-22 at the Wayback Machine, Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson announced as Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz award winners.
  9. Can Lit Awards recipients Archived 2013-06-28 at archive.today, The Magnificent Piano Recital illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson Can Lit Awards listing.
  10. Ann Stinner U of Manitoba CM Magazine review of Picassio Soul On Fire.
  11. Canadian Library Association literary awards list Archived 2012-09-22 at the Wayback Machine, Picasso Soul On Fire illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson shortlisted for the 2005 Amelia Francis Howard-Gibbon Award.
  12. Royal Geographical Society Picture Library online Archived 2015-09-03 at the Wayback Machine, Rick Jacobson and Laura Fernandez commission for Christopher Ondaatje's book 'Sindh Revisited' donated by C. Ondaatje.
  13. Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz award winners Archived 2014-02-22 at the Wayback Machine, Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz award winners.
  14. Canadian World Music, Laura Fernandez Canadian World Music Festival List.
  15. Laura Fernandez as part of Hugh's Room Jazz Series, Singer's Jazz Series.
  16. The Scene Magazine announces 2013 Winter Folk lineup, Laura Fernandez showcase at the Winter Folk Festival.
  17. WinterFolk Archived 2012-11-03 at the Wayback Machine, Laura Fernandez assisting WinterFolk.
  18. Good Life Magazine article Mississauga's Carlos Bastidas gathers Top Musicians for the G.T.A.'s Hottest New Music Festival by Cristina Kerr, Laura Fernandez one of the headliners at the Pan American Latin Jazz Festival.
  19. Nazareth, Errol (February 11, 2011). "Always on the go". Toronto Sun. p. 75.
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