Paul Jost

 Male Vocalist

United States

Biography

Paul Jost is a rare talent — an eclectic artist with great skill as a vocalist, drummer, composer and arranger in genres that range from jazz to country and more. Over the years, his musical talents extended to guitar and harmonica, but it’s his voice that truly makes him a standout. His vocals are so soulful that music critic Buster Maxwell wrote … “he nearly single-handedly reclaims the male voice as a valid and critically important jazz instrument.” Michael Barbiero, producer/engineer/songwriter, who has worked on projects for such legends as John Lennon, Whitney Houston and Metallica, thinks that Paul Jost brings vocal styling to a new level. “Once in a great while an artist comes along whose talent and vision allow the body of all that we thought we knew to be viewed through a new facet. Paul is such an artist.”

Paul is involved in many exciting projects including two upcoming recordings with Dot Time Records, based in New York and Europe. In Can’t Find My Way Home, The Jōst Project (with vibraphonist Tony Miceli, bassist Kevin MacConnell, drummer Charlie Patierno and Paul as vocalist/harmonicist/arranger), they present classic rock in a jazz format. His second is a solo CD to come out early 2014.

Paul is one of the featured performers in Atlantic City’s new program ARTlantic, “Mind, Body and Soul,” with live concerts throughout the summer of 2013 in the revitalized Pinnacle Park (on the site of the former Sands Casino.) He’s recently performed with The Jōst Project at the Main Line Jazz Festival, World Café Live and Chris’ Jazz Café in Philadelphia.

In addition, Paul is involved in many music collaborations. He sings and plays drums in The Diane Monroe Sextet, “What is This Thing Called Freedom” featuring violinist Diane Monroe (with Tony Miceli, bassist Lee Smith, drummer/percussionist Arturo Stable, and guitarist Monette Sudler). Paul has recorded three separate duo projects. One with bassist Tim Lekan – Side by Side (Independent), a second with flutist Mark Adler, Silver Whispers (Arabesque,) and a third (to be released late in 2014), Where We Meet with pianist, Frank Strauss. Paul is both singer and arranger in the jazz ensembles Antfarm Quartet featuring pianist Jim Ridl, Tim Lekan and drummer Bob Shomo. His recently released work includes CD’s with: Antfarm Quartet – Dialogues Pt. 2 and Live @ The Colony Theater, (Dreambox Media); Andy Lalasis – Fret Not (Independent), Carolyn Nelson – Come a Little Closer (Independent) and as drummer for Susan Goodman’s – Central Park West and vocalist on her, Live Out Loud (Soozaroo Music). He is guest lecturer and teacher at several colleges and universities including University of the Arts in Philadelphia and West Chester University in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Paul is a prolific composer, writing over 40 CD’s, including the highly acclaimed song Book Faded Brown, that has been recorded by The Band, Carl Perkins and Rick Danko. His compositions for major music libraries are heard daily in over 750 markets throughout the United States, and, he has composed for Canon Pictures and NBC-TV’s Emmy Award-winning series “Special Treat”. He is also a four category Billboard Song Contest Winner.
Born and raised in Southern New Jersey, Paul still resides in the area and is proud to have served as musical director at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City and for Morgana King as well. The list of artists he has performed or recorded with is extensive including Billy Eckstine, Mark Murphy, George Mesterhazy, Ann Hampton Calloway, Sylvia Simms, Bobby Scott, Sivuca, Dr. John, Bucky Pizzarelli, Teo Macero, Joe Farrell, Ron Carter, Bobby Tucker, Pee Wee Ellis, John Phillips, Mike Abene and many more. He is honored as well to have worked in collaboration with songwriter/producer Jim Tullio throughout his career.
Jost is also heard on national jingles for major companies. He has done vocals, drumming or played harmonica for Johnson & Johnson, American Airlines, Nissan, Anheuser Busch, Miller Beer, Subway and Dow Chemical.
When looking back at his childhood, he says, “Music spoke to my heart the instant I was exposed to it, and each experience has added to a continuing dialogue that becomes more beautiful and more meaningful in my life.” He learned to play piano at age six and quickly turned his talent to the drums. When he was 12, he started playing professionally, earning respect in the music community. After graduating Vineland High School where he was voted “best musician”, he studied at the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has performed all over the country, living for a while in New York and Chicago, but chose to make his home in New Jersey where he lives with his wife, Valerie. They are the proud parents of Daniel Jost, a highly respected musician/vocalist, and Juliana Jost, a high school art teacher and granddaughter, Olivia Grace.