Meet Paul P; the singer with the velvet voice, good looks and engaging showmanship from the steel city of sheffield, gifted Paul is the complete package. For many who have seen him live, he is regarded as the UK’s best kept secret. He is serving up brave, new jazz –swing arrangements of the Standards as well as fresh exciting originals and contemporary classics with his own unique twist, a performer that ooze’s class!
His strong, melodic trademark voice breathes fresh life into the genre. His timing, phrasing, interpretation and microphone technique are a joy to behold. Sashaying his way through the great works of Sammy Cahn, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Cy Coleman and other classic from ‘The American Songbook’, Paul possesses a rare quality in vocal versatility, which enables him to effortlessly drift into other musical genres.
After gaining BA honours in Performing Arts and participating in a number of stage productions from the age of 14, his singing voice came to the attention of a successful UK theatre promoter who eagerly invited him to audition for a touring big band show. A testament to his incredible voice, not only did he get the job, but was asked to start that night (without a rehearsal) landing his first full blown big band performance in front of a packed house.
Theatre dates followed with Paul fronting different big band shows, notably ‘The Memphis Belle Orchestra’ a spin-off from the Hollywood war movie of the same name. Since then, he has played some of the biggest venues the country and world has to offer, and to critical acclaim. With numerous high profile companies and celebrities clamouring to book his velvet tones for their exclusive events from corporate engagements, to providing entertainment at that special wedding day (Paul was flown to Italy after being requested to perform at the highly publicised ‘Rooney Wedding’)
Paul never fails to deliver. He can also count Sir Alex Ferguson and Philomena Lynott – mother of Thin Lizzy rock legend Phil Lynott– amongst his many celebrity fans. In fact Philomena highly rates his version of her son’s classic Thin Lizzy hit ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’
Whether he is performing with his four-piece, seven-piece or big band ensemble, Paul offers his own innovative takes on modern material embellishing them with his unique brand of sophisticated swing – jazz.
The designer suit, white shirt and black tie are simply one facet of Paul’s personality. Opting for a jeans T-shirt James Dean-style photo shoot, Paul is putting the swagger into swing. With an edgy, cool sense of sophistication his style will strike a chord with the contemporary audience.
Purists are also catered for as his sets can include crowd pleasers like Sway, L-O-V-E, The Summerwind, From Russia with Love and his unique own arrangement of Porter’s classic “I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ showing that like his contemporaries he’s doing it his way.
Paul enthuses: “I have great admiration for performers such as Cullum, Bublé and Krall… All these contemporary singers take numbers that have been around a lot longer than they have, each offer their own spin on them as do I.”
A confident but modest guy, he excels in delivering a truly mesmerising performance, engaging his audience with a masterful elegance. Many believe that there is no other singer in the UK quite like him; a hidden gem in a market awash with reality TV show hopefuls and ‘cabaret singers’. His live performances have helped him generate a buzz, quickly establishing a fan base.
“That’s where I feel at ease, on a stage. Sometimes I think living on stage would be far easier as when I step off it and look at things around it; I know where I’d rather be!”
In addition to performing live, Paul is currently honing his skills as a recording artist and writer working on other exciting projects. One includes the recent release of his STUNNING debut album ‘More..’ (click for review) which is already generating acclaim within the industry.
Alongside his album ‘More..’ Paul has been involved in many other projects and currently un-signed, Paul is now looking forward to seeing what exciting future acquaintances, projects and challenges lay ahead.
