Liv Fernandes

Liv Fernandes was born in Cornwall, but at the age of two her parents moved to London where she grew up. Liv has gone from working in the health sector, to medical journalist and later press and information roles in the charity sector. It was during the latter that she began singing and training her voice for jazz. She studied Jazz Singing Level 1, 2 and 3 and learnt piano for four years at City Lit Adult Education College as well other institutions before finding her personal vocal coach in contemporary and bossa singer Clare Foster. Liv has participated in small gigs and in 2017 she was selected as one of several soloists in Ella Fitzgerald ꟷ a Tribute at Addlestone Community Theatre.

Finding various roles in the charity sector had taken her away from her journalist roots, Liv took a course in radio broadcasting. It was here that the tutor recognising her passion for jazz, suggested she find a music radio show. Soon after completing her course Liv was interviewed on the former Croydon Radio. This was soon followed by an invite to become a presenter at the community station. Liv spent four years with the station playing jazz and interviewing over 130 guests. Highlights included Gregory Porter, Clare Teal, Zara McFarlane, Jose James, Courtney Pine, Elaine Delmar and many more. She also introduced a country music show to the station. At the same time, feeling she had re-discovered her media mojo, Liv also had a stint on the newsdesk at Eagle Radio. Croydon Radio closed its broadcasting doors in March 2017.
Liv hopes to bring some of her zest for radio to Jazz London Radio with a soul jazz programme. She not only wants to explore the post-hard bop jazz pioneers who brought soul, gospel and r’n B to their jazz of the sixties but also contemporary artists who aspire to a soul inflected jazz.