Acclaimed jazz singer Paula West to perform at Sonoma’s Vintage House

Highly acclaimed jazz singer Paula West and her trio will offer a matinee performance of American standards on Sunday, March 5, at 2 p.m. at Vintage House.

Working with Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, Vintage House continues to offer excellent live music, often in a very attractive midafternoon time slot.

West comes to “the House” to offer two full sets of her standard fare, even if her song selection is far from standard. A typical jazz singer leads a band through the Great American Songbook, a deep selection of material, but West has built a reputation of truly mixing up the tunes.

In a spirited phone call from her home in San Francisco, West said, “I like to vary any set I do with different tempos, to put people through different moods. I like to sing some tunes that have a sense of humor to them. I think that’s important; never too ballad heavy, though.”

West has carved a slightly different jazz world niche for herself with her renditions of songs by artists such as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Lou Reed and Johnny Cash.

“I always do (Dylan’s) ‘Like a Rolling Stone,’ because it is a favorite” of the audiences,“ she said. ”Other than that, I am really not sure (what we will play). We don’t put (the set) together until a day of two before.”

West has a stellar band, featuring Adam Shulman on piano, Aaron Germain on bass guitar and Greg Wyser-Pratte on drums. This crack trio backed West when she played her sold-out show at Hotel Nikko San Francisco on Valentine’s Day this year.

The band plays a significant role in West’s song selection.

“The thing about the musicians is you don’t know what it’s going to sound like,” she said. “You’ve got the frame for the tune and everything, but you don’t know what they are going to so, solo-wise, or what’s going to happen. And that’s the great thing about it. They each bring their gifts.”

All music lovers have seen a performance when a vocalist, who acts as the quarterback calling plays, points to a given player, who is then charged with providing a scintillating solo.

“I never point,” West said. “No, no, no … It is their decision. If they’re feeling something …”

West explained her musicians discuss who solos and when, making for a truly polished performance.

When it was noted that, since the show will be over early, West could be home for dinner, she said, “I want to have dinner up there. You have so many great restaurants up there.”

They’ll serve up the tasty tunes, then look for some tasty stuff from our local restaurants.

Tickets might be available at the door, but are available in advance at vintagehouse.org. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m.