BIO
Paula is an Austin-based performing songwriter with a penchant for melody, storytelling and poetic lyricism. Raised in New England and Spain, her music is informed by a variety of influences from classical music to popular Jazz, Folk, Rock and Blues. She's won songwriting kudos from internationally known songwriting clubs like the Kerrville Folk Festival, Wildflower Festival and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (double finalist). She’s performed in many hallowed listening rooms including the Cactus Cafe, Momo's Club, Saxon Pub, Blue Bird Cafe, Anderson Fair, Bugle Boy, Eddie's Attic and more.

Paula's music is described as lyrically rich, melodic and sensual, and her voice is cited as reminiscent of Norah Jones and Diana Krall. She's been a staple in the Austin music scene since 2007, sharing her pop & jazz inspired original music as well as Folk, Americana and Popular standards. She's collaborated with and performed as a duo with sidemen Andrew Hardin, Monte Mann, Paul Haake, and Steve Brooks.

Paula is currently focused on a Jazz as her primary genre. The featured video is of a solo performance at Brentwood Social House in August 2023. It features the Bossa-nova tune "How'd You Get In My Dreams" by Ike Eichenberg.

PRESS
" …a curiously addictive marriage of folk, pop and jazz influences." Arthur Wood, Maverick Magazine

"[Paula] adds new ideas to the jazz-related work of now famous female artists like Norah Jones, Diana Krall and Madeleine Peyroux. Her songs are beautiful, the melody lines fine, her voice is flexible and sultry, [and] the accompaniment is excellent ..." - Fred Schmale, Real Roots Cafe, Netherlands

"Paula ... slides effortlessly from country to jazz standards, to soft rock. Her [original music] scans several genres and is remarkably crafted throughout. With a voice at once soulful and controlled and a guitar that plays any direction with seeming ease, she stays at the emotional center of her music." - James L. Ash, 
Linda’s Fine Foods
, Wimberley, TX

PAST PROJECTS (2011 - 2020)
Solo Acoustic | Pop-jazz influenced original music with a twist of Folk/Americana
Held and Mann | Acoustic Duo | Jazz standards, Americana, Country, Pop
Paula Held Trio / Quintet | Standards & Bossa featuring Great American Songbook Standards

CURRENT PROJECTS (2021 to present)
Paula Held - Solo Vocal Jazz performances featuring Great American Songbook music & originals
Paula Held Trio - Ensemble (duo, trio, quartet) Vocal Jazz featuring Great American Songbook music

PAST RESIDENCIES:
Held and Mann | Linda's Fine Foods, Wimberley, TX 2011 - 2020
Paula Held Trio / Quintet - Opal Divine's | Austin, TX 2018 - 2020

CURRENT RESIDENCIES:
Paula Held | Brentwood Social House, Austin, TX 2023 - current

RECORDINGS:
DRIVE (2010)
Produced and engineered by Stephen Doster at EAR Studio Austin 2010