Born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, Jeanette Berry was surrounded by arts and culture even before she was born. Both her parents being artists and musicians laid an excellent foundation for the ear, work ethic, mindset, and perspective as a working artist. She began as a member of the Children’s Theater Workshop of Westbury, run by her mother. Her love of music and singing was evident from a young age. She sang as a member and soloist in the Westbury United Methodist Church as well as played in the handbell ensemble. She continued her studies in high school where she went to Nassau BOCES Cultural Arts Center (now known as LIHSA). She studied musical theater and vocal jazz performance along with her science, math, and social studies. 

She took her talents to Philadelphia, where she attended The University of the Arts. She began as a musical theater major then transferred into the music department. She studied Vocal Jazz Performance and Music education. She made the city of Philadelphia and its music scene her after-hours classroom as well. Attending jam sessions and workshops at Ortliebs, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Dowling's Palace, she began to find her own voice. As a senior, her private lesson teacher, Justin Binek suggested she write an original song for her senior recital. Jeanette had never written a song before this. She had written poems, but never a full song. She wrote two original songs for her senior recital and has not stopped writing since. 

While in Philadelphia and after hearing her original music, a friend and graduate student Ian Rafalak asked if Jeanette wanted to write more music. The Jeanette Berry Trio was born. They did jazz gigs and worked around town and began working on an EP of original music. While working on her own music, she also worked as a singer in the 8 piece Voices of the Pops ensemble with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. They performed at least two shows a season with the ensemble in their home at the Kimmel Center and also at the Independence Day celebration. She was also working with a Smooth Jazz Cover Band who had the opportunity to have a residency at the now-closed Zanzibar Blue and open up for acts like the Ohio Players and Parliament Funkadelic. The Jeanette Berry trio turned into Jeanette Berry and the Soul Nerds. The band saw one of their first singles licensed for the T.V. Show Single Ladies on VH1. The Soul Nerds have performed all across the east coast and midwest with their brand of Soul, R&B, & Jazz. 

In 2011, Jeanette got a call from her former professor, Marc Dicianni that there were auditions for a recording artists tour. She auditioned and was hired to sing tenor for Ms. Lauryn Hill. Jeanette sang with Ms. Lauryn Hill for an East Coast Tour, two years of the Rock the Bells’ tour, FESPAD, an annual Dance and Culture Festival in Kigali, Rwanda, a Blue Note Residency, and other one-two night shows around the country. 

In 2019 back in NY for a couple of years after finishing graduate school and teaching in Tiffin, Ohio  Jeanette Berry and the Soul Nerds disbanded after producing one full-length album, one live album, and one EP and performing hundreds of shows in New York, Philadelphia, and D.C. Jeanette began working on a solo ep, entitled Solivagant. Solivagant was released on February 14th, 2020. Jeanette also released an EP, Life Feels Better by the Water August 12th, 2021. With her move to D.C., she is teaching privately at Chevy Chase Arts Academy and in the classroom at Blessed Sacrament School. Jeanette continues to perform and record.

Photographs by The Street Geek