We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Paul Jost a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Paul, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
The kindest thing(s) were from a very short and selective group of family, friends and colleagues who have (unbeknownst to me) opened doors and possibilities without want of anything in return. What I’ve come to know as “Gifts Without Strings”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m most proud of and grateful for my family, friends, colleagues and teachers throughout my life. As an introduction, here’s from a recent review and EPK that tells a bit about me.
There’s unmistakable heart that connects with the listener in all of Paul’s work. When describing this unique vocalist, two opinions are repeatedly expressed by both critics and contemporaries, “passionate storyteller” and “one of the best male jazz vocalists since Mark Murphy.”
His latest recording, “While We Were Gone” is a live double album (“Poetic Justice” and “An Appeal For Reason”) recorded at Soapbox Gallery in Brooklyn, NY with his quartet featuring Jim Ridl (piano), Dean Johnson (bass) and Tim Horner (drums). Recorded during the pandemic, it continues to receive outstanding reviews in Stereophile, All About Jazz, Jazz In Europe, Hot House Jazz, New York City Jazz Record, LA Jazz Scene, JW Vibe and more.
Paul performs worldwide and always to similar raves. From Limerick, Pohang (S.Korea), Rochester, Pittsburgh, C.O.T.A. and Exit Zero International Jazz Festivals to clubs in Paris, Belgium and such renowned jazz clubs in the U.S. as Blue Note, Dizzy’s, 55 Bar (with a monthly residence over four years), Mezzrow, North Square, SMOKE, Birdland, Kitano, The Bitter End, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, Deer Head Inn on the East Coast and in LA at Vitello’s, Kulak’s, The G Spot, The Grape Room and Crypto Jazz Festival in Newport Beach. He’s been a guest artist with Joe Locke, Orrin Evans, Houston Person, Janis Siegal, Lauren Kinhan and Dena DeRose and can be heard regularly on WRTI and WBGO.
Paul Jost and his quartet were selected by the U.S. State Department to represent the United States as part of the America Music Abroad program. “Musical minds in perfect harmony” is the description from All About Jazz. The ensemble delivers fresh, passionate and compelling arrangements of songs drawn from The Great American Songbook, Jazz Favorites, Classic Popular Music and Original compositions.
Joe Locke
“Paul’s more than a gifted singer and songwriter, he’s a conduit, conveying a universal message of beauty and truth to all of our hearts.”
Orrin Evans
“Amazing sound, conviction, soul, lyricism, swing, groove, love and a hope for a better tomorrow. Not many people can give you all that in one song well Paul Jost gives it to you in one measure. Run to see him live…”
Houston Person
“Paul’s a great talent with a great repertoire who can switch from one mood or genre to another and please any audience.”
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I can’t share one story in particular but can touch on the overall “P.P.P.” principal (Patience, Practice and Persistence).
I started playing drums professionally at age 12 and as I eventually began to work in NY many things just seemed to fall into place and I had no idea of “Patience”. In my “4th” quarter now as a vocalist and arranger, I’ve come back full circle and see the need to “get in line” and wait your turn, and to realize no one is “entitled” and that venues are businesses; and because it’s a business, it often has less to do with the quality of your talent and more to do with your ability to put folks in the seats, and there’s nothing wrong with that, (to a point). There are so many gifted people out here deserving of an opportunity, but venues need to make money too and you can’t take it personally by comparing yourself to others who may be working where you’d like to be. It takes time to develop your base and though you’re often faced with a “catch 22” situation, you “Persevere”. Sometimes friends call me expressing their frustrations in getting a gig and ask me how I do it and I tell them that in many cases it’s taken over a year to crack the shell. Being persistent (but polite) and showing your resolve to not disappear let’s owners know that you’re willing to tough it out. You have to invest in yourself and not just with money. Practice. Be willing to keep improving yourself, your art, your product. It really is about the journey. Unless you’re obviously over the top talented, I don’t know any shortcuts to opening doors, but even if you find one, once you get in you have to be able to stay there.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to invest in the story of the song and be able to stand alone without accompaniment. If I can tell the truth emotionally naked and vulnerable, then creating or framing the story along with sensitive musicians can make the tale even more potent and connect more easily with an audience. That’s the main thing I want to do with music…connect emotionally with people…vibrate some of the cords we all share and touch on things that have drawn us together to the healing and cathartic power of music.
Contact Info:
- Website: pauljostmusic.com
- Facebook: paul.jost.7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC15s2lKyqY3ZqrlgIkFL-FA