Singer/songwriter/pianist PAOLA VERA has been described as a ‘Jazz chick with hits’ (Richard Niles) and a ‘truly gifted improviser’ (Pete Churchill). Paola’s music blends her passion for jazz with a modern edge; a fresh take, which she infuses into her own song writing and a new slant on old songs. She sites many influences including Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, James Taylor, Nat King Cole….
She first started singing and playing the piano at the age of 13, later going on to continue her musical education at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and The Royal Academy of Music after receiving the Elton John Scholarship in London. In 2007 Paola was awarded a Yamaha Jazz Award for outstanding young Jazz musicians in association with Jazzwize magazine. She has since gone on to receive several awards as a singer and pianist, including recieving an ARAM for her contributions to music from the Royal Academy of Music, London. She has performed with many greats of the jazz scene, Bobby Mcferrin, Kenny Wheeler and many more..
Paola is also a highly sought after educator and vocal coach, currently working with several higher-education institutions across Europe and the UK. She is a vocal and songwriting tutor for Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London on the BAMPI degree program and Assistant professor of Jazz Voice at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels (Undergraduate and Masters) . Paola is a certified Estill Master Trainer (EMT) and is among few bilingual French speaking coaches delivering Estill courses in French and English across Europe. She is also a vocal coach for Disney in Paris, France.
A passionate songwriter, she created The International Singing and Songwriting Retreat in 2019, a residential Songwriting retreat held in SW France, where she teaches alongside esteemed educator, songwriter and singer pianist Pete Churchill.
Paola’s emotionally charged live performances have been seen on the most prestigious festival stages, concert halls and jazz clubs world wide including The New Morning (Paris) Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club (London), The 606 club (London), Pizza Express Dean Street (London), Nardis (Istanbul), St Emilion Jazz festival (France), Armandos (San Francisco), The Sound Room (San Francisco).