 Photo by Wick Beavers About a month from now, I will return for my third performance at Washington DC’s premier jazz club, Blues Alley on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown. In my first appearance at Blues Alley, I had the honor of kicking off a week long Dutch event at Blues Alley with a different Dutch artist playing at the club each night. I presented my first, self-titled CD in the United States, with all original compositions by guitarist Royce Campbell. As I was introduced to the audience by the Dutch Ambassador I remember being so excited that I could hardly breathe! I was on the same stage where only a week before one of my all time heroes, the French composer Michel Legrand, had performed! For the second performance, I tried out a new repertoire, “A French-American Songbook,” and the evening was a great success.  Photo by Wick Beavers On November 17, I will return to Blues Alley with a follow-up that includes French songs that were specially written for me as well as a new group of very talented musicians from DC and Charlottesville who really make this show come together. They are: Tony Nalker, piano; Tony Martucci, drums; Christopher Dammann, bass; Matty Metcalfe, accordion; and Rick Olivarez, on guitar. For one night, the club will feel like a Parisian café in the heart of the nation’s capital. We all dream of being in Paris every once in awhile, for what’s not to love about the city of lights? It is, after all, THE place to fall in love; for the first time or all over again! The intimate atmosphere of Blues Alley is just the place to get that feeling. And when the lights are low, the small votive candles are on, and the music starts, the audience will be taken on a journey to that magic city, even if it’s just for a little while. To order tickets for the show at Blues Alley, click here.
For my fans in Charlottesville, I have asked the help of local company Wish Wish Wine Tours, and they will handle show tickets and transportation from Charlottesville to DC and back. Click here for details and to reserve your seat(s). Feel free to contact them if you have any questions. Furthermore, I am very excited that we will be making a live recording of the evening, of which we will give away one copy with each purchase. To reserve your free digital copy, you can sign up at the club after the show.  Photo by Jack Looney “Just get a little closer to one another… yes, that’s great! Now hold the pose, we’re just waiting for that cloud to pass…” Matty, Chris and I are posing for some pictures that we will use for promotion and the photographer is Charlottesville local Jack Looney. We are musicians, not models, but Jack makes it so easy. He jokes a little, moves fast, and before we know it, it’s a wrap. Since I met Jack a couple of years ago, I have worked with him on several occasions. He produced the black and white videos that are on this website – you can find them here – and he is also the person who introduced me to Matty Metcalfe. I have admired Jack’s work ever since I saw it for the first time. Among his specialties are weddings and events, music, and nature photography. His work is stunningly beautiful, with an eye for detail that is quite amazing.  Photo by Jack Looney A snake, photographed on one of Jack’s trips through the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, seems to slither right off the page. A heron in the reed shows itself in all its beauty. But, most of all, I love his pictures of bands. It is obvious from his photographs that Jack loves music and the performers who are his subjects. He makes everyone look so vibrant and alive that you just want to be there at the concert and be part of the scene. Lately, Jack has been been filming bands in addition to photographing them. I hope he will continue to do so. And I know who will create my next album cover! Check out Jack’s photography at www.jacklooney.com.   Happily anticipating a live music performance… Retirement communities and nursing homes may not be the first places that come to mind when thinking of live music performances, and jazz in particular. With names like “Shady Pines” or “Sunset Lanes” these places evoke images of people quitly sitting, waiting for whatever is next on the calendar–Bingo, anyone? Well, not so much in Charlottesville VA. For the past seven years, the local nursing homes have gotten a monthly dose of swing that rivals the sounds heard in a high end jazz club. Nursing Homes Swing!, a program founded in 2007 by Jackie and the late Bob Hostage, grew out of its creators’ love for jazz and swing. Being of a respectable age themselves, they understood how hard it is for older people to hear the music they like, simply because it isn’t played much on the radio.  Jackie and Bob Hostage. These days most of the residents in nursing homes rarely have the means or mobility to go out and see a music show. The Hostages began organizing musical performances for the residents in the Charlottesville area nursing homes and assisted living facilities andNursing Homes Swing! was born. As a non profit organization, NHS! is supported by several grants and donations with all proceeds going solely to the local professional musicians who provide the live concerts. I too have the privilege of participating in this wonderful initiative on a regular basis and I am loving it. Not only is it truly rewarding to play for an audience that really appreciates the performance, it is also a lot of fun to hear residents humming along with tunes from the past that they know so well. After all, they were there – and young – when the tunes I sing were big hits. Playing for the elderly has taught me once again that sharing music is a great joy for me and the audience.
On November 8, 2014 NHS! will hold their annual Fall Fundraiser at C’ville Coffee. Check their website for more information: www.nursinghomesswing.com Last week I had the rare opportunity to join the musical group Point, a band that reunited in The Netherlands to perform at the 200th anniversary celebration of Minerva, a well known student society at Leiden University. For more than 10 years I was part of this group, which played all over Holland and traveled to some very exciting and exotic places around the world. It was because of my involvement with this particular band that I started to take my singing to another level professionally.  From left to right: Reinier Sijpkens (trumpet & percussion), Quirijn Mees (bass), Gaston van Amerongen (sax), Paulien, Gérard Brikkenaar van Dijk (keys), Mike Breman (drums), Ronald Winckel (guitar), Antoinette van Nievelt (keys), Elbert Waller (keys & strings), Jan Kiewiet de Jonge (sax). The group dissolved in the nineties, and half of its members moved on and away from The Netherlands, including myself. Although we have stayed in touch over the years, I was initially a little nervous about the idea of a reunion performance after so many years. However I discovered that both our friendship had survived these years as well as our ability to entertain the gathering of more than 4,000 people.  The magic was still there, as members of the audience were singing along to familiar songs, waving lighters in the darkness, which all combined to create a truly special evening of spirited reminiscence. I eagerly look forward to the next reunion…..
 It’s a breezy, sunny afternoon at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, a winery tucked away into the rolling hills just south of Charlottesville, Virginia. With a glass of white wine in my hand, I stroll around the grounds, feeling the sun on my face and admiring the hazy Blue Ridge mountains in the distance. Children run and play in the springtime grass, couples and small groups of people sit along the hillside next to the winery or at tables on the patio, chatting softly, and tasting samples of the local wine. Yet, the moment is made whole by the soft, melodic sounds that emerge from one corner of the patio–the pure voice of Paulien singing a lively repertoire of French chanson and familiar jazz standards, with the accompaniment of Royce Campbell on guitar and Gerard Brikkenaar Van Dijk on keyboards.  The atmosphere is lively, but yet calm. I lean back into my chair, close my eyes, and just allow the music to wash completely over me. Like the gentle breeze that stirs the air, Paulien’s voice is both soothing and warm, and my mind floats into a state of pure relaxation. In addition to a serenade of well-known jazz tunes such as “Don’t Get Around Much Any More,” “Do Nothing ’til You Hear From Me,” “Night and Day,” and “La Mer” (“Beyond the Sea”), Paulien also performs original compositions by Royce Campbell, including, “I’m on a Cloud,” “You Are,” and “We Were Simply Meant to Be,” all featured on her 2007 recording, Paulien.
 In Houston, Texas–not exactly the music capital of the world, although one of my favorite pianists Joe Sample calls it his home town–I listened to a local NPR show during which the host reviewed a chamber music concert he had attended at Rice University. The concert had been organized around a number of professional classical musicians who had never played together before and were asked to perform a series of classical pieces. The results were supposedly amazing and created a completely new and fresh approach towards the music. He went on to explain how jazz musicians work and how the Houston jazz scene comes together once in a while to improvise and jam. His conclusion was that playing together with people you have never played with before creates an atmosphere of incredible creativity and mutual respect among the musicians, something that is seldom experienced when listening to established groups or bands.  Photo courtesy Phil & Derek’s. It is not my intention to brag about my recent experiences at Phil & Derek’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, in Houston’s River Oaks area, but the warm and enthusiastic response that I get when I’m there makes me want do it all the same! This charming little cottage–converted to a southern food restaurant–houses the coolest jazz club in the south. The Monday nights are hosted by the tireless and sympathetic T.R. Reed, who is the master of ceremonies for an incredible show of extremely talented musicians. Not only the core from Houston, but there are many visiting from other parts of the country and even overseas. T.R. is the man, and he puts a lot of work into getting this “Monday Nite Jazz Jam” together, with an overhead screen of famous old film recordings, ranging from Art Tatum via Cab Calloway to early Miles and Herbie Hancock. Recently, he and his program have been recognized by the Smithsonian Institute as an American jewel. To read more about this 60-year-old Houston tradition, click here. A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure and honor to sit in with the “Straight-No-Chaser Jazz Ensemble.” Please, check out this iPhone recording that someone in the audience made and sent to me. And make sure to visit Phil & Derek’s on your next Monday night in Houston to hear some great, accessible and respectfully played jazz…..   Royce Campbell and Paulien. For the longest time, I thought there could only be one, ultimate Valentine’s song–until I heard the one that guitarist Royce Campbell wrote for my first US released album in 2007. True, it is hard to beat Rodgers’ and Hart’s “My Funny Valentine”, especially when it is performed by the unforgettable Chet Baker, who not only was a fabulous trumpet player, but who also had a voice that could make you melt…. But then there is the one written by Royce, “Be my Valentine,” and of all the songs on my album, it is one of my favorites. It is a hopeful song, yet embodies a melody that is a little sad, almost in a comfortable way. On top of being a great musician, Royce Campbell is a hopeless romantic, who writes his most beautiful tunes in the middle of the night, when he cannot sleep and puts his heart and thoughts into a melody and rhyme. And, on a good night, a song like “Be my Valentine” emerges:  Lyrics & Music: “Be My Valentine”
by Royce Campbell It would please me if you would honor the following request: Fill my soul and make me strong, keep me calm when things go wrong Help me take all things in stride, and to keep a peace inside Keep me with you everywhere, one soul working as a pair Help me every way to shine Be my Valentine, be my Valentine, be my Valentine Be my Valentine, be my Valentine, be my Valentine Help the music to go on, and put my thoughts into a song Keep me there when I’m away, Keep the days from turning gray Make me thankful of the night, grateful for the morning light Help me every way to shine Be my Valentine, be my Valentine, be my Valentine Be my Valentine, be my Valentine, be my Valentine 
As the year comes to an end, I can look back and say it has been a great one, with some very exciting events. Best of all was the launch of a new show, combining my favorite music from both Europe and America. With the help of my family and some wonderful friends and musicians, I have been able to realize a dream that I had about fourteen years ago, before I moved to the US.
My dear friend Lené te Voortwis, who is a fabulous composer and bass player in the Netherlands, created a number of beautiful songs that we took to the studio in early 2000. The idea was to record a CD with mostly originals, sung in French, in addition to some well-known classics. However, before we could finish, I moved with my family to Virginia, and I regretfully abandoned the project, thinking French music would not fly in this country. But soon after I started playing gigs, I couldn’t help myself and started sneaking in a French tune here and there, just because I so love singing in that language. And,to my surprise, I would always get great compliments on those particular songs and requests for more.  Trio with Gaston van Amerongen on saxophone and Lené te Voortwis on bass.
It taught me a couple of things. First, assume nothing (my favorite bumper sticker)! Just because people may not speak the language does not mean they can’t appreciate it. Second, it also taught me that if you truly love what you do, your audience will feel it, and the experience becomes something enjoyable for all. After all, it is the audience that is most important, for without people to sing for, I would have no reason to be on stage!
Presenting French music in a way that is recognizable for an American audience has turned out to be the best thing of the year. So for all of you who have been supporting me in many ways, here is a little something from my recording days in Holland: “Malgré Tout” by Lené te Voortwis, with lyrics by François Trémouille. Listen to “Malgré Tout”:
Throughout my singing career, I have always been quite lucky in finding the most wonderful musicians to accompany me on stage. Not only have I had the honor to perform with very talented and all-round players, I also have had the good fortune to be able to call most of them my friends. I say fortunate, because when people get along together both musically and otherwise, something magical may happen on stage. And that’s exactly what making music is about for me. On November 30 at C’ville Coffee, I will have the great pleasure of playing with some of the most talented musicians that Charlottesville has to offer. These people truly bring out the best in me!  Photo courtesy Metcalfe Music. On accordion, the man who can make you feel like you are somewhere on a romantic spot in Paris with your loved one: the multi-faceted Matty Metcalfe. Matty plays more instruments than anyone I know, but I like it best when he plays the accordion. Everything I love about French music comes to life when Matty plays his instrument. It’s got that “Oh la la!” and he plays it so well.  Photo courtesy Mia Magruder. On bass, Chris Dammann, who recently relocated from Chicago, where he studied music and played everything from classical with the Chicago Chamber Opera to free jazz with some of Chicago’s greatest. Chris’s openness to all music styles, especially the ones I like to share with the audience, makes me cross my fingers that he’ll stay in town for many years to come.  Photo Meredith Montague. On the piano, my husband Gérard Brikkenaar van Dijk who never stops surprising me, particularly on stage–and sometimes that brings out magical moments that make me forget any quarrel we have ever had!  Photo Meredith Montague. One of our special guests for the evening will be guitarist Royce Campbell, accompanying me on some of his very own tunes. I am so happy Royce has agreed to join us, for he is not only my friend, but he is also the one who composed all of the beautiful tunes on my first CD (Paulien) launched in the U.S. in 2007. On a night when we’ll be playing unforgettable French and American songs, Royce’s compositions should definitely play a part.
 On Saturday, November 30 at 8 pm, I will be performing at one of Charlottesville’s premier spots for cool jazz, C’ville Coffee. Chris Dammann and Matty Metcalfe will be accompanying me, along with some very special guests. We will be playing some well known standards and less familiar tunes in the most romantic language of all, in a show that I’d like to call “A French-American Songbook”. Tickets are $10 (at the door).
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PaulienA place for me (and occasionally a guest author) to share news and updates, as well as other various thoughts and musings. Archives
September 2016
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