Paula grew up in Clemson South Carolina in a very musical home. Her father, an avid music fan, worked as a “roadie” for several well known bands when Paula was a baby. In fact her first “appearance” on stage was when she toddled out onto the stage during one of the shows dancing. Her Dad may have been embarrassed- but the band and the crowd loved it! So did Paula.

In her teens Paula studied voice with Emmalyn Frye, a former opera singer who taught Paula an appreciation of more classical music. This is where Paula’s Strength, phrasing and endurance spring from. But, with a style obviously influenced by Etta James, Diane Schuur, Phyllis Hyman, Gladys Knight and Della Reese, it was only natural for Paula to gravitate towards Jazz and Blues. While most singers choose the songs in these genres that fall in a “middle ground” between the two, Paula’s astonishing versatility allows her to sing the full spectrum of Jazz AND Blues. She can sing an elegant Jazz ballad with restraint and control then follow it with a raw and gritty in-your-face Blues song with sass and passion.

Paula has gone on to work in a wide variety of ventures. The first of which was musical theatre. She was a cast member and featured vocalist at The Opry in Myrtle Beach, SC. This was an 800 seat facility that ran nightly musical-theatre style shows ranging from Country and Pop music genres to Jazz, Blues and Soul. They even did a Christmas show every year.

Paula worked with several Symphony Orchestras while living in South Carolina and Georgia including her first symphonic performance with the Long Bay Symphony. When Paula relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in 1995, she signed with my production company-“Wilbe Records”. During this time she also fronted the Atlanta Pops Symphony Orchestra under legendary director Albert Coleman for the yearly “Concert in the Park” series. This was a three-month educational series performed in various towns throughout the metro Atlanta area that was designed to promote the American Jazz and Pop Standards to all ages. During the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, she did a series of Jazz and Blues Concerts with renowned Pianist Dale Elliott for the German Consulate. She also served a decade as the front person for one of the oldest and most established musical organizations in Georgia with the Carere Orchestras.

Paula has also won 5 national and international vocal competitions- including two-time champion of the “Legends” singing competition that was held in Myrtle Beach SC. The winners of which were featured in television show called “Startime” which was broadcast on “Channel America” into 40 million homes. Paula went on to host the show for a year after winning the national competition twice. She won her division of Talent Quest, an international singing competition held in Laughlin Nevada in 2003. She was also selected to compete on San Francisco’s KTVU talent show “Gimme the Mike” in 2005.

Paula has shared the stage with such notable acts as Oleta Adams, Ray Charles, Bill Pinkney and the Drifters, Freddie Cole, Lou Rawls and numerous others. She has garnered a impressive reputation with both the audiences she performed for, as well as with the Bands she has worked with. Band leader “George Carere” describes her as a "Vocal powerhouse" and a "Dynamo" on stage capable of captivating audiences with her distinctive voice and charm.

Paula now lives in California with her husband of 7 years and, for the last 2 years, has been performing most Saturdays at the internationally famous San Francisco Jazz club “Top of the Mark" working with Grammy nominated pianist Ricardo Scales. Paula can also be seen performing throughout the Southeastern United States as well as on the West Coast with her Band “Blu Gruv”. 

Instrumentation

• WEST COAST
• Paula Harris- Vocalist
• Doug McKeehan- Keys
• Arlington Houston-Upright Bass and Fretless Jazz Bass
• Bill Belasco- Drums
• EAST COAST
• Paula Harris Vocalist
• Tez Sherard- Drums
• Rico TYler-Keys
• Brandon Gilliard- Bass

http://www.paulaharrisvocalist.com