“Breaking Through” is the first solo CD of the
multi-talented musician and vocalist and arranger, Paul Jost. With this release,
Paul breaks through traditional boundaries and conventions by producing a
unique and innovative recording. While the majority of songs are jazz
standards, there is nothing standard about them.
Paul has been heard on countless recordings over the years
but on “Breaking Through”, this multi-faceted artist, who plays drums, guitar,
harmonica and piano, merges his experiences into another musical dimension –
his voice. Music critic Buster Maxwell said, “Paul nearly single-handedly
reclaims the male voice as a valid and critically important jazz instrument,
and it’s simply thrilling to hear him.”
One of the highlights of this recording is Paul’s original
song, “Book Faded Brown.” This tender and compelling composition has been
recorded by such legends as The Band, Rick Danko and Carl Perkins. Slightly
altered, he presents it here very much in keeping with how these great artists
first heard the tune. Jost said, “It’s such an honor to have had these incredible
artists perform my music.” The late Rick Danko said, “’Book Faded Brown’ is one
of the best songs I’ve ever heard or done.”
Whether scatting, incorporating body percussion or arranging
the song in a unique way, “Breaking Through” demonstrates Paul’s eclectic
talent. The first song, “Singing in the Rain,” begins with an atmosphere so
tangible the listener feels transported and part of the journey. In “The Days
of Wine and Roses” (with flutist Mark Adler), the backdrop is set against the
ambience of a city park teeming with life and as a chance meeting place for two
musicians who share a common language. Paul consistently presents the music so
that each song contains surprising, intriguing elements.
Most recently, Paul has collaborated with outstanding
musicians on several projects. Serving as vocalist and arranger in The Jost
Project, Paul joined forces with vibraphonist Tony Miceli, bassist Kevin
MacConnell and drummer Charlie Patierno to produce “Can’t Find My Way Home” on
Dot Time Records. This recording interprets classic rock in a jazz format with
the goal of reaching new fans of jazz, and they have cultivated fans around the
world. When the recording was reviewed in Jazz in Europe, Johan van Deeg wrote,
“I just love this CD. The Jost Project is without a doubt one of the most
creative bands I have heard in years and vocalist Paul Jost one of the best
male jazz vocalists that I have heard since Mark Murphy.” Among Paul’s other
music collaborations, he sings with the Diane Monroe Quintet, performs duos
with pianist Frank Strauss, with flutist Mark Adler and with bassist Tim Lekan.
He and Lekan are also members of Antfarm Quartet with pianist Jim Ridl and
drummer Bob Shomo.
Commercially, Paul’s voice can be heard on national jingles
for Johnson & Johnson, Sears, Timberland, Anheuser Busch and others. As a
prolific composer, Paul has written over 40 CD’s for major music libraries that
are heard daily in over 750 markets throughout the United States and is a
four-category, blue ribbon Billboard Song Contest winner. He has composed for
both Canon Pictures and for N.B.C. including their Emmy Award Winning series,
“Special Treat”.
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