Laura Fernandez (born 20 May) is a Toronto Ontario based singer-songwriter, pianist, Latin-musician, music producer, painter, Illustrator, designer, radio host/producer for Jazz FM91, and real estate agent, born in Madrid, Spain[1]. In 2003, Fernandez was named Best Soft Rock musician at the New York International Independent Music Festival.[2] She is currently the host of Café Latino on JazzFM91 (formerly CJRT), Toronto, and her Latin-music was produced by Billy Bryans.[3][4]
Fernandez was born in Madrid, Spain. She moved from Madrid to Switzerland. She moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her family.[1]. Her father was an engineer, writer and a painter. In grade 7 she studied piano at the The Royal Conservatory of Music.[5] Her native language is Spanish language and learned English upon moving to Canada, as well as some French and Portuguese.[citation needed]
She graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design with Honours (1983). She met artist Rick Jacobson while in college. The married and moved to Toronto, Ontario.[1] They started their own business: Jacobson She became a professional illustrator in 1980. She illustrated for commercial companies and children's books. She has done work for E.D. Smith, Loblaws, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Foster's Lager, and Publix.[citation needed] She painted the Maple leaf logo for Air Canada.[2] Fernandez also created the painted trillium used on the Ontario Driver's License.[2]
She 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.[1][6][7][8][9] She has also produced work for Margaret Atwood, Robertson Davies, Richard Francis Burton, Bill Gates, Sr., David Thomson, and Christopher Ondaatje.[10]
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[11], and the gold medal for illustration from the Canadian Library Association.[citation needed]Fernandez Illustration and Design.[citation needed]
She started song writing when she was 12, writing in Spanish.[12] Fernandez won the Best Soft Rock Award at the International Independent Music Festival in 2003.[2][13]. She released her first album, The Other Side, in 2003.[5] She hosted an open mic night from 2003 to 2008.[12]
In 2008, she started as radio host for Cafe Latino on JazzFM91.[2] She released a Latin music album in 2010 called Un Solo Beso, which was produced by Billy Bryans.[3] She continues to perform live.[14][13][4][15][16][17]
Fernandez is sponsored by Steinway & Sons. She is one of 19 Canadian musicians sponsored by Steinway.[13]
Laura Fernandez has released two independent albums, "The Other Side" a mix of pop-rock and one Spanish single, and her Latin release "Un Solo Beso".
2003 – The Other Side (Independent)
2010 - Un Solo Beso (Independent) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.