In the middle of August 2020 she gives us “Just Can´t Stop”, the second advance single from “Can You Feel It”. She is the new work of the saxophonist and singer Paula Atherton, a highly recommended artist.
In the run-up to the presentation of her new album “Can You Feel it”, we want you to meet the saxophonist and singer Paula Atherton, who in addition to continuing to work on her new album with the great composer and pianist Greg Manning, has collaborated recently with on the album “Colors” by Roberto Tola.
We were able to discover her live performance during the second edition of the Smooth Hot Jazz Festival at the María Guerrero Theater in 2019, accompanied by her exquisite husband on guitar and delighting the public with his saxophone, flute and voice. Paula Atherton is a veteran of the Smooth Jazz stages who knows how to choose the best collaborations and the best projects to embark on.
Do you want to know more about the New York artist? Find out everything in an exclusive interview for #HotJazzMagazine
- In 2001 your first job came out. Since then, how has your music evolved?
I’m allways at a particular point in time; a jazz musician is always trying to grow, trying to improve, do things differently. I’m always the same person, just at one particular stage or another. I’m trying to give the audience a taste of what I do through the songs I have selected in my set list. I also sing and play flute, so I give all of that along with my sax playing.
2. You are undoubtedly one of the most feminine names recognized from the Smooth Jazz world. Why are they still being a clear minority women in this genre?
I don’t really know why women are still a minority in this field. Artists become popular when the right promotion is done behind them, so their music gets out to the public. For some reason, there are more men being featured at festivals and all types of jazz shows. There is no reason why there can’t be more women out performing in this genre, and making recordings. They are just not being recognized.
3. Do you think that in a few years there will be more women artists of Smooth Jazz?
I certainly hope so!
4. How do you define your style? Who has inspired you the most throughout your career?
My recordings are mainly my compositions. My writing is inspired by all types of music that I like, including funk, old school R&B, Latin music, as well as traditional jazz. The result is what you hear on my recordings.
I studied a lot of the jazz giants to understand their concept of harmony, phrasing, rhythm, etc., such as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, Cannonball Adderly, Roy Eldridge, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Lee Konitz, and many others. As far as contemporary jazz goes, artists like David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, and Al Jarreau have influenced me, as well as many classic and contemporary pop artists, like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Michael McDonald.
5. Let’s talk about your latest album, Shake It. Is this the work with the most Funk sound to date? What has led to it?
“Shake It” was meant to be a fun and funky record- I just wanted this release to be that way, so I wrote with that in mind. My previous release, “Ear Candy” was influenced by Philly soul music, and in some ways was more compositional. This time around, I just wanted to make a fun record.
6. How do you see the Smooth Jazz panorama in Europe? And in general? What route do you think this music will have?
The impression I have of smooth jazz in Europe is that it is still fairly new- there don’t seem to be a lot of Smooth Jazz festivals or clubs at this point. It seems to me that smooth jazz is catching on now, and hopefully will be happening all over Europe sometime soon!
7. Tell us about the projects that are to come. What’s on your mind?
I’m planning on working with some different producers on my next recording- right now it is all a surprise, but I think you will like what I have in mind! I think I will record at least 1 song on soprano sax, as well as playing alto sax, flute, and singing on my new one. I’m just striving to be the best I can be in all I do, and hopefully my music will inspire people, and make them happy!
As Dave Koz sais in 2018: Paula Atherton is “ones to follow”. We recommend you to enjoy a fragment of her performance in the Second Edition of the Smooth Hot Jazz Festival:
#PaulaAtherton #SaxPlayer #SmoothJazz #Interview #HotJazzMagazine
