(Vocal Jazz) Paula West - Come What May - 2001, MP3, 320 kbps

PAULA WEST was fueled by a determination to find the best music and communicate it in her own way. Born into a Marine Corps family in San Diego, California, she was initially exposed to classical music. “My parents didn't have a lot of jazz records,” remembers Paula “My father linked to listen to classical music.” Paula began listening to jazz singers such as Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn while in college.
After college, Paula moved to San Francisco, unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. Buying old records from thrift shops, she studied them
and then began singing classes. As she became more secure in her talent, she ventured into jam sessions, places where an open mike gave her a chance to perform before an audience. It was at one of these sessions that she met a pianist who would join her in the climb to her own musical identity and her musical success. His name was Ken Muir, and he continues as her accompanist today. Paula went on to study with Faith Winthrop, developing her unique tone and delivery. She learned how to sustain a note without a vibrato, which is now almost a Paula West trademark.
Paula worked as a waitress until pianists Muir and Larry Luckovich hired her to work with them at San Francisco's Ritz Carlton Hotel's Terrace Restaurant, and Dick Whittingham featured Paula at the Maybeck Recital Hall. Later she met donald smith, founder of the Mabel Mercer Foundation, which is the force behind the Cabaret Convention. In 1995 he included her in the Cabaret Convention, then arranged for her engagement at the Algonquin HOtel's famous Oak Room in 1996. This led to various bookings, allowing Paula to make a name for herself on the East Coast.
Paula's cortically acclaimed CD, Tempation, was released in 1995, and includes old songs she loves such as “Temptation,” “You'll See” by Carrol Coates and “Peel Me A Grape” by Dave Frishberg. It was followed by Restless, and her latest release is titled Come What May. Paula chooses songs she likes personally and can be as unconventional as “Don't Fence Me In” or the Pearl Bailey favorite “Tired.”
Paula West has learned her craft and honed her talent, finding audiences far beyond her San Francisco home. She has played in New York and Philadelphia, has appeared on both European and American broadcasts, as well as appearing in Switzerland and Italy several times. In 1997, she had a sold-out deut at the Maison de la Musique in Paris.

Vocalist Paula West shines brightly on this 14 track album, singing in her sophisticated, smoky style. She brings to life Duke Ellington's "Caravan/Night In Tunisia," Johnny Mercer's "Laura" & "Blues In The Night," Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life," and othe On her third CD, singer Paula West demonstrates that she isn't adverse to risk taking, which is a rather refreshing idea for a young performer. With a soulful voice, a great range, and the ability to get the most out of each set of lyrics, this confident singer seems capable of taking on any song in which she takes an interest. Although the intermingling of "Caravan" and "A Night in Tunisia" in a back and forth medley isn't completely satisfying, her strong voice and the great playing of her supporting cast, including clarinetist Ken Peplowski, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and the Stuff Smith-like violin of John Blake, make this wild arrangement rather appealing. Other highlights include Leonard Bernstein's show tune "Big Stuff," with guest pianist Bill Charlap, a delightfully campy take of "Blues in the Night," and a stunning interpretation of "Lush Life" with some inventive backing by pianist Ken Muir, who is also responsible for most of the arrangements. The only real misfire is the incessant bongos that dominate most of "Day In, Day Out," which detract from an otherwise great performance by West and bassist Peter Washington. Great things should be in store for Paula West following this very impressive release. ~ Ken Dryden

Paula West – Vocal
Ken Muir, Bill Charlap – Piano
Peter Bernstein – Guitar
Peter Washington – Bass
Victor Lewis – Drums
Bobby Hutcherson – Vibes
Rudy Bird – Percussion
Frank Wess - Tenor & Alto Sax/Flute
Joe Temperley - Baritone Sax/Bass Clarinet
Ken Peplowski, Don Byron – Clarinet
Ryan Kisor – Trumpet
John Blake, Carlos Baptiste – Violin
Richard Spencer – Viola
Akua Dixon – Cello