Paul Austin Kelly
Lewes, England, United Kingdom | INDIE
Music
Press
"What a joy to hear two such versatile and talented artists! Paul Austin Kelly and Kenny Clayton are a duo made in heaven!" - Lesley Garrett
"The combination of the superb operatic voice and jazz stylings of Paul Austin Kelly combined with the pianistic expertise and swinging arrangements of Kenny Clayton ensures an excellent musical experience!" - Bill Lyon Shaw, BBC producer
Paul Austin Kelly performs a program of American standards (as well as a few original songs) with the Kenny Clayton Trio. It is hard to review because it is really a groundbreaking album, not easily categorized.
It combines the talents of Kelly, a world renowned tenor in the “ bel canto” repertoire (who was a rock musician before embarking on his operatic career), with the jazz-oriented Kenny Clayton Trio (with Kenny Clayton having a classical background). What emerges is an uncommonly well sung jazz album. Kelly successfully reigns in his voice, avoiding the overblown “operatic” sound of others who have attempted similar “crossovers”, while bringing uncommon ease and sweetness to the upper range of these numbers, impeccable diction, and a smooth burnished sound to the lower range.
An album for those who like standards really sung, without being oversung.
It’s really hard to think of a male comparison – though old-timers might find some similarity to the jazz albums of Eileen Farrell.
Though the CD contains some of the favorite songs of the “standards” repertoire, the most successful cut may well be an original song by Kelly – “Settle Down with You”. An obviously very personal song, it successfully toes the thin line between being “old fashioned” and self-consciously hip. Given a heart-felt performance by Kelly it is one of those songs that I think everyone can identify with, if not in the details, in the overall theme of dealing with life’s choices and finding happiness in the choices one has made. It suggests that of Mr. Kelly’s many talents, song writing may be the most notable.
~Mike Begley, Ebay Store––Historic Classical and Opera - Mike Begley, Ebay Store, Historic classical and Opera
Discography
Debut CD "The Song is You" released March 1st 2008. Paul Austin Kelly with The Kenny Clayton Trio, distributed in America by Newsound/Allegro and in the UK and Europe through Metronome Distribution.
Photos
Bio
Paul Austin Kelly has sung pop and jazz all his life while making his living as an international operatic and concert tenor. He has sung leading roles and concerts in the finest houses in the world, including The Metropolitan, Covent Garden and La Scala. What makes him different from other classical wannabe crossover artists? He doesn't sound like an opera singer trying to sing jazz or pop. He grew up with pop, rock, soul and jazz. He understands it. It's in the blood. It's his first love and he gets inside a songs and brings you in there with him. The beauty of his voice and his vocal prowess is undeniable but the song always comes first.
He's also played trumpet and cornet since he was 9 years old. His influences are diverse, from Miles Davis to Herb Alpert.
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