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June 24th, 2024
Hi everyone!
Life got REALLY busy since my first duo album, a holiday album, released in October 2023 featuring standard holiday songs arranged in a unique “jazzy” way, including 4 originals I wrote, with me on piano and vocals and my partner in love, life and music David Aller on acoustic and electric basses.
We’ll post more about it again for the holidays at the end of this year, but here are the most updated sample/purchase physical, digital and streaming links for this latest holiday album, “Our Christmas Gift to You” and the latest physical, digital and streaming links for my last 5 releases.
Part of the delay in getting this information out to you “on time” for the holiday album is that it’s release conflicted with a huge change in the way the digital/streaming industry processes digital/streaming sales with new requirements to be met before the artist got paid. If you’re an independent career music artist, you know how unfair it is for any “minimums” to be on an artist’s music sales before they get paid and if you don’t make those required (and oftentimes unreasonable) minimums, they don’t pay you for ANY of your music sales, they just keep it.
Needless to say, right in the middle of the holiday season last year and after hundreds of extra hours (that I did not have available in my crazy work schedule) were spent getting my artist pages “verified” on countless digital/streaming platforms and every album and track submitted to the previous digital/streaming distributor (that asked to represent my work), I was forced to start all over with a new digital/streaming distibutor.
Why? Because the previous digital/streaming distributor didn’t want to pay the “penalty” fees charged to distribution companies by certain digital/streaming sales platforms when an artist doesn’t sell enough digital downloads and streams per month and if they don’t have a crazy number of listeners committed within the first year they stream their work. So currently, certain digital/streaming platforms are not only keeping music artist music sales portions “because they are not meeting a $1000 per month in sales requirement” but they’re charging digital/streaming distributors penalty fees for each artist they represent that sells under the requirement, unfairly charging music artists and distributors and keeping money they’re not entitled to.
It’s not easy being a self-published indie music artist in today’s digital world. Music artists still do best by touring and selling physical copies of their music albums to fans attending their concerts because the sales go directly to the artist who has invested a great deal of their time writing, funding the high costs of recording professionally, artwork and duplication costs and preparing their music for live performance as well as all the “under the radar” time that is spent dealing with distribution requirements, social media communication and advertising/promotion costs.
There are still album and track links of my music that are not working yet with the current digital/streaming distributor so the following links are the ones I’m going to go with and share because, so far, they are working.
I am so sorry for the delay due to so many complications. The end result for me is the joy that this music is available to you and that it brings you the same joy to listen to it and purchase it as it gave me to create it for you. Thank you always for your support and spreading the word, it is greatly appreciated and it helps the funding of future music projects. A true artist is never done creating their work because it’s something that never stops materializing in them, like a river that never stops flowing. Erika xoxoxox
Current working album/tracks links:
“Our Christmas Gift to You” album released on October 20th, 2023. (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
“Jazz Just For Kids (and the young at heart)” released on Friday, March 25th, 2022 (physical link / digital link / streaming link-follow right arrow of Format Audio CD for Prime Music streaming)
“Originals Volume 1” released on Friday, July 15th, 2022 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
“Wine, Family & Jazz” released on Friday, February 17th, 2023 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
“SWAY – A Passion For Latin Jazz” released on Friday, May 19th, 2023 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
“River Of Now And Forever” released on Friday, August 18th, 2023 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
October 10th, 2023
Happy 89th birthday today to my dear Daddio and Happy Halloween to all!
We’ve been very busy little bees after the “River of Now and Forever” album release on August 18th, 2023! We are finally releasing our first duo album, a holiday album called, “Our Christmas Gift To You” on October 20th, 2023. The presales physical album link is now available and we should have the digital/streaming presales link ready soon. Here is some of the bio and release information to keep everyone in the loop.
Erika Paul & David Aller Duo
Working musicians Erika Paul from San Francisco California and David Aller from Cedar Rapids Iowa both hold Jazz performance degrees from SJSU and ASU, both have decades of performance experience for cruise ships, resorts, clubs, lounges, shows, touring big bands, festivals, special events, weddings, funerals, school and eldercare performances on their own before they began their music journey together in 2016. They first met while performing in the rhythm section of a local rehearsal big band in Reno Nevada and soon afterwards, experienced their first professional gig together performing 160+ years of jazz styles for an elementary school assembly concert. After three dates, they decided to start their own band and brand of duo music, bought a house together and never looked back. After playing many local/national/international concerts together, Erika included David on her last three of 21 albums she has recorded and self-produced to date. This album, “Our Christmas Gift To You” is their first recorded effort as a duo and features their most favorite holiday music. Created just for you, this collection of songs reflects this dynamic duo’s joy and journey through the creation, performance and recording of this spirited collection of classic and original holiday music.
3 SENTENCE RELEASE BLURB & GENERAL INFORMATION
In the intimate duo setting of piano and bass with added vocals, this album is a spirited collection of popular classic holiday songs and unique original compositions. Enjoy the variety of upbeat swing and latin influenced arrangements to calm, sensitive ballads. The addition of Christmas favorites from France and the UK gives this album a charming international flair.
GENERAL ALBUM INFORMATION
Singer, songwriter, pianist and music artist Erika Paul invited her partner in life, love and music, multi-bassist David Aller to join her on this recording in celebration of the holiday season. Completely “unplugged” and acoustic, this duo’s sound reflects a humanity and a simplicity of two accomplished, experienced and skilled musicians working together to create a feeling of richness and fullness, basically all on their own. This project, a labor of love for close to a decade, was made with the intention and purpose of capturing the “spirit” of the season through well-known songs, lesser-known jewels, unique original songs and timeless European favorites. In their own sweet way, this couple performs and records in a vibrant, synergetic and heartfelt way, a classic real-life duo prospering in a traditional small group setting. Tracks 1, 5, 9 and 13 reflect the verve and passion of latin music. Track 13 is a UK favorite. Tracks 2, 7, 10 and 15 bring the swing era to the mix. Track 15 is an Erika original. Track 3, another Erika original, describes so much of the beauty of Christmas as a waltz that one could easily skate to at the local outdoor ice rink or to enjoy indoors in front of a lovely fire. Tracks 4, 6, 8, 11 and 14 are ballads of the season including one from the Carpenters, one from the story of the powerful significance of Mary and her blessed baby, one original by Erika who writes about a little girl asking Santa to bring her and her family the gift of her Daddy’s return, one from the Charlie Brown television special and a traditional French classic. Track 12 is the ever-popular Memphis-style blues from the Elvis Presley library. There is a little something for everyone in the family to enjoy on this recording, including a little something for the serious traveler in search of comfort and meaning throughout the holiday season and wherever they may find themselves.
More information on the duo including all of Erika’s album links:
This dynamic and powerful full-sounding working music couple and professional music duo features Erika Paul on piano and vocals and David Aller on acoustic and electric basses. Needless to say, Erika and David are EXCITED to FINALLY release their first album together. Enjoy a wide variety of uniquely original arrangements, spontaneously created by this talented duo, full of sass, class, upbeat energy, soul and holiday spirit. Prepare to experience timeless classics from around the world and heartfelt originals that capture the many facets and feelings of the holiday season.
“Our Christmas Gift to You” album released on October 20th, 2023. (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
“Jazz Just For Kids (and the young at heart)” released on Friday, March 25th, 2022 (physical link / digital link / streaming link-follow right arrow of Format Audio CD for Prime Music streaming)
“Originals Volume 1” released on Friday, July 15th, 2022 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
“Wine, Family & Jazz” released on Friday, February 17th, 2023 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
“SWAY – A Passion For Latin Jazz” released on Friday, May 19th, 2023 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
“River Of Now And Forever” released on Friday, August 18th, 2023 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
Thank you again everyone for your interest, your love and your support! We appreciate it so much!
More to come but for now have a wonderful fall season! While we can, we must enjoy the beauty of the dance of the changing colors of the leaves as winter begins to peek around the corner to invite all in nature to slumber quietly in rest before the rebirth of spring returns!
July 4th, 2023
Happy 4th of July everyone! Let’s celebrate America’s independence today and continue all year around to support, protect and believe in the importance of our independence as a nation and as a people so we can continue to enjoy and share the many benefits we enjoy because of it! We are so blessed!
On the subject of music, I have been a very busy bee! I released my “Sway – A Passion For Latin Jazz” back on May 19th, 2023 featuring newly re-recorded bass tracks by my partner in life, love and music, David Aller, remixed and mastered with today’s greatly improved recording techniques. Needless to say, we are very proud of this album. In general, we love listening to and performing latin-influenced jazz and the final version of this album, to this day, really makes us want to get up and dance, tap our toes and shimmy our shoulders to some of the most passionate latin standards played by American Jazz musicians from the 1950’s to the present, representing many countries of influence including Brazil, Africa and Cuba to name only a few.
Soon after we completed our latin album, we went right into the task of remastering what is my next album, “River of Now and Forever” which is scheduled to release on August 18th, 2023. Along with links to the “Sway – A Passion For Latin Jazz” album, I also included the physical presales link for “River of Now and Forever” album at the bottom of this blog to order it at the early bird price.
We go back into the recording studio for the rest of the summer to attempt to record new original and cover material in time for one last release this year for the holidays and then we plan to take a year off to focus on performing and touring.
Thank you again so much for your support and we hope you continue to listen to and physically go out to hear music LIVE as much as possible. That is where the true magic is, watching musicians and singers create their art spontaneously right in front of you with no filters!
Until the next blog, we hope to see you at one of our live concerts as well and take good care!
Lady Jazz Erika Paul 🙂 xoxox
“SWAY – A Passion For Latin Jazz” released on Friday, May 19th, 2023 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
“River Of Now And Forever” released on Friday, August 18th, 2023 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
CLICK HERE to view and SUBSCRIBE to Erika’s YOUTUBE Channel Lady Jazz Erika Paul
CLICK HERE to view and SUBSCRIBE to Lady Jazz Erika Paul & David Aller Music YOUTUBE Channel
Visit Erika’s CD STORE for more information on all current albums
February 18th, 2023
Hi everyone!
Just a quick announcement that I released another album this week entitled, “Wine, Family & Jazz” featuring my band and dearest musician friends in France and now it’s available worldwide. Enjoy our European flair on popular jazz standards and quite a few of my jazz vocal originals. I just LOVE working with this band! More soon…
Take good care and stay safe out there!
Even BIGGER musical hugs,
Lady Jazz Erika Paul 🙂 xo
“Wine, Family & Jazz” released on Friday, February 17th, 2023 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
CLICK HERE to view and SUBSCRIBE to Erika’s YOUTUBE Channel Lady Jazz Erika Paul
Visit Erika’s CD STORE for more information on all current albums.
ERIKA PAUL AMAZON MUSIC ARTIST LINK
ERIKA PAUL SPOTIFY ARTIST LINK
July 23rd, 2022
Hello everyone!
As I go through 30 years of recordings, it looks like my discography is getting bigger! I released my second album in 2022 called “Originals Volume 1”. It’s currently available in physical form at Amazon Music and shortly, it will be available digitally as well. I wrote A LOT of original jazz music in college and recorded some of it as I could afford to and this first album is a compilation of my recorded original music from 1994-1999. Lots of passion and creativity, showcasing the artistry of the jazz trio as a self-contained unit as well as the support behind vocals and guest soloists on sax, flute and muted trumpet. I hope you enjoy it! Until next time stay joyful and creative!
BIG original musical hugs!
Lady Jazz Erika Paul 🙂 xo
“Originals Volume 1” released on Friday, July 15th, 2022 (physical link / digital link / streaming link)
CLICK HERE to view and SUBSCRIBE to Erika’s YOUTUBE Channel Lady Jazz Erika Paul
Visit Erika’s CD STORE for more information on all current albums.
May 30th, 2022
Hi everyone!
Just a note to announce my new children’s jazz album, “Jazz Just For Kids (and the young at heart)”. It’s currently available in physical form and we’ll keep you posted on when it will be available digitally. Thanks again for your support and your patience on all of this and have a great Memorial Day weekend!
And a special thank you goes out to our veterans whose selfless service continues to protect and defend the peace and freedoms we so enjoy and benefit from here in the USA.
Bless you all!
Lady Jazz Erika Paul 🙂 xo
To request the FREE song lyrics pdf, the jazz glossary pdf, and/or the listening-teaching suggestions pdf for Erika’s latest children’s album, “Jazz Just For Kids (and the young at heart)”, email Erika at erika@thejazzlady.com and write SONG WORDS in the subject line. Also let us know in the body of the email specifically which additional pdf(s) you would like.
“Jazz Just For Kids (and the young at heart)” released on Friday, March 25th, 2022 (physical link / digital link / streaming link-follow right arrow of Format Audio CD for Prime Music streaming)
CLICK HERE to view and SUBSCRIBE to Erika’s YOUTUBE Channel Lady Jazz Erika Paul
CLICK HERE to view and SUBSCRIBE to Lady Jazz Erika Paul & David Aller Music YOUTUBE Channel
Visit Erika’s CD STORE for more information on all current albums.
December 24th, 2021
Welcome to Erika’s NEW JAZZ BLOG!
(a.k.a. Lady Jazz Erika Paul Blog)
Hi everyone!
It’s Christmas Eve!
Merry Christmas and have a safe and blessed new year 2022!
And welcome to my first blog post!
I now look forward to staying connected with you on what I’m up to regarding my jazz performances, educational activities, the history behind the Jazz I perform and write as well as what new recordings I’m in the studio working on.
I’m also excited to be in the process of meticulously re-tracking and remastering my complete discography to reflect new and improved audio and technological standards of today’s ever-evolving recording industry.
Does that sound cool or what?
Until next time, stay happy and healthy and have a wonderful holiday season!
Sending out Big, Sincere Musical Hugs,
Lady Jazz Erika Paul 🙂 xo