From beginning to end, saxophonist Michael Paulo’s “Beautiful Day,”
is a celebration of love, friendship and the Aloha spirit. Opening with the
title track inspired by the joyous news that he was going to become a
grandfather and closing with the timeless Carole King ode to friendship,
“You’ve Got A Friend,” Paulo’s 11th solo disc dropped on the Apaulo
Productions imprint. The collection is comprised of eight Paulo compositions
and five modern classics produced by Paulo with two tracks helmed by two-time
Grammy winner Paul Brown. The first single presently collecting radio spins and
playlist adds spotlights guitarist Ray Parker Jr. on the aptly titled “Who You
Gonna Call?”
Inherent in
Paulo’s soulful play emoted through tenor, soprano and alto saxes on “Beautiful
Day” is an effervescent spirit, a hallmark that perhaps emanates from the DNA
of his Hawaiian blood. A genuine sense of gratitude is another vital element
present in his recordings. With that ethos, Paulo crafted a set list that
enabled him to record with and feature some of his accomplished friends the
likes of which include guitarists Parker Jr., Brown, Peter White and Paul
Jackson Jr.; pianist David Benoit, keyboardist Brian Simpson, bassists Freddie
Washington and Roberto Vally, percussionist Lenny Castro, and drummers Gorden
Campbell and Michael White.
“I truly
have the best friends in life that always are there to support me. ‘You've Got
A Friend’ represents why I am able to do what I do. I hope this record will
touch people emotionally. My approach to playing has always been about
expressing feeling and emotion and drawing the listener in so that they forget
all the stress in their lives. I hope it renews their spirit, so they can
continue to be happy and express love. When I perform live, my biggest
gratification is when I feel that I have uplifted people emotionally and they
can go home feeling good about themselves and life in general. That’s our gift
as musicians and I am so blessed to be able to do what I do,” said Paulo.
The album
also showcases Paulo’s touring band - a trio of Hawaiians comprised of Kimo
Cornwell (keyboards), David Inamine (bass) and Fred Schreuders (guitar) along
with drummers Land Richards and Sergio Gonzalez – which will take the stage
with Paulo at SoCal hotspot Spaghettini on July 21 to celebrate the release of
“Beautiful Day.”
Paulo’s
professional career spans more than forty years, and includes gigs playing
alongside R&B, pop and jazz headliners Al Jarreau, James Ingram, Patti
Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Kenny Loggins, Johnny Mathis, Bobby Caldwell and Rick
Braun. He debuted as a solo artist in 1977 with the Japan-only release of
“Tat’s in the Rainbow,” an album that highlighted Herbie Hancock on keyboards.
Paulo continues his dual career as a solo artist and as a first-call session
player-sideman. He also produces concerts and jazz festivals in Hawaii and in
the long-time California resident’s home state. These days, Paulo tours
frequently with Peter White, who plies his signature delicate acoustic guitar
nuances in addition to contributing to the arrangement for “Beautiful Day’s”
profound version of Sting’s “Fragile.” The saxman’s longest touring association
was with Jarreau, with whom he shared the stage throughout the late crossover
crooner’s glory days.
“I recorded
‘Your Song’ as a tribute to Al, who gave me my big break when he hired me for
his touring band in 1983. We toured the world together for eleven years and he
featured me on his ‘Live in London’ album. I used his arrangement of ‘Your
Song’ and David Benoit delivered a heartfelt piano performance. I miss
Al.”
Paulo’s
“Beautiful Day” album contains the following songs:
“Beautiful
Day” featuring Paul Brown
“Mr. Magic”
featuring Paul Brown
“Europa”
“Back with
the Funk” featuring Paul Jackson Jr.
“Your Song”
featuring David Benoit
“Who You
Gonna Call?”
“#FromtheHeart”
“Fragile”
“Keiko’s
Groove”
“Galaxia”
“Mysterious”
“Fire Dance”
“You’ve Got
A Friend”
www.MichaelPaulo.com
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