PAULA VALSTEIN is an artist in every true sense of the word. Her undeniable voice matched with a powerful sense of songwriting, has brought this Tel Aviv native all the way from Israel to New York while touching the lives of music lovers worldwide.
Paula's musical journey began at the young age of four while studying classical music on her grandmother's piano. By the time Paula was twenty-three, she had graced the stages of such prestigious festivals and venues as THE INTERNATIONAL RED SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL, Israel's famed OPERA HOUSE and soon found herself singing to thousands at The Roman Amphitheater CAESAREA.
Always intrigued with New York and its legendary impact on the music scene, Paula decided to move there and share her talents, while quickly becoming a staple in the musical community. Before no time Paula was headlining such prestigious New York venues and festivals as The Blue Note, Joe's Pub, Rockwood Music Hall, Highline Ballroom, CMJ Festival and the Steinway Piano Series just to name a few. The well received praise from the energy packed shows grabbed the attention of venues and festivals throughout the United States. Paula soon found herself performing all over the country at Detroit's Co-merica festival and Milwaukee's "SummerFest," among countless other clubs and colleges all the way to Los Angeles.
Paula, who now calls New York City her home, has been a participant last summer in the highest rated television program in Israel, a sort of American Idol reality show, whose name translates to, "A Star Is Born." At the moment, Paula Valstein cannot walk on the street of her native Tel-Aviv without getting noticed. Paula clinched Best Performance honors and it's made her a household name all over that country. While Paula was performing on television her songwriting in the US was grabbing attention winning an award at the International Songwriting Competition.
This year has been Paula's busiest yet, playing with such recording artists as JOAN OSBORNE, COLIN HAY (Men At Work), and New Orleans legend DR JOHN. Paula also performed at the International Jazz Festival in the Philippines 2010, she played a Jeff Buckley Tribute show in Chicago and did an extensive worldwide tour performing in Monte Carlo, United States, Israel and Canada.
While finding time in her busy touring schedule, Paula Valstein released a self-titled EP which was her debut offering in late 2009 to rave reviews and will release a full length album in 2010. She is joined on the record by such producers as AARON COMESS (Spin Doctors) and Roman Klun(Sarah Mclaughlin) among others. She is also co-writing songs with Tal Herzberg(Christina Aguilera, Mary J Blige, Orianthi), Alex Da Kid (Rhianna, B.O.B, Eminem), and Jessie Harris(Norah Jones).
See what some have said
NME ,
Joel Crane
"… if you haven't already heard of Paula Valstein then you soon will have. Possessing a rich and powerful voice she delivers each vocal as if it were her last. Her influences are as strong as they are varied and she incorporates them all in order to further her own unique style."
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Time Out New York
Twisty, clever melodies drive the dramatic pop tunes of local singer-songwriter Paula Valstein.
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CMJ
"The silky songstress/pianist lingers over soulful arrangements."
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THE NEW YORKER - August 09
NIGHT LIFE - The Highline ballroom's "Piano Series" continues with the New York City transplant Paula Valstein, whose sweet voice and songwriting smarts have made her something of a celebrity in her native Israel.
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Walla!celebs - September 09
Paula Valstein the most feminine thing in prime time.
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MAARIV (Israel's newspaper) - 19/10/09
Paula Valstein didn't have the time to digest her landing from New York into a lost of anonymity and a complete madness of rehearsals and live TV translations.
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Forward Newspaper (Jewish daily) - August 09
Paula Valstein isn't the first musician attempting a crossover from reality TV to the U.S. pop charts — but she is the first with a major fan base in Israel.
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Baltimore Jewish Times - September 09
Paula Valstein is turning heads.The fetching Ms. Valstein recently received raves at the Big Apple's Highline Ballroom, a venue that's played to the likes of Joan Baez, Rihanna and even Sir Paul McCartney.
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New York Magazine -
The piano series ends on a sultry note, with well traveled pianist Paula Valstein injecting traditional jazz with all manner of contemporary and rock influences from Bob Dylan to Man at work.
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******** "Power, unpredictability and emotion pour through every minute of this distinctive performer's songs. A pianist and guitarist as well, Paula Valstein will hypnotize you live with her soulful voice and unguarded persona." -- NextBigHit.com
******* Here in NYC, Valstein has graced stages like Joes Pub, Canal Room, the Living Room, and others, sharing stages with artists such as Colin Hay, Joan Osborne, Grace Potter and Dr John. She played a Jeff Buckley Tribute show in Chicago, a well-received show at CMJ in 2009 and Milwaukee's Summerfest last year. She also won the International Songwriting Competition 2010 in the Best Performance category for her song, "Light."
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