Throughout the summer, we’re fortunate to welcome extraordinary jazz artists, such as Paul Marinaro, to Western New York. In this special JazzBuffalo series, I’m sharing why I believe each of these artists is someone you should experience—not just hear.
Every once in a while, an artist comes along who reminds us why we fell in love with the Great American Songbook in the first place.
For me, Paul Marinaro is one of those artists.
If you’ve spent any time around JazzBuffalo, you know I believe the Great American Songbook isn’t simply a collection of timeless songs. It is America’s greatest storytelling tradition. The melodies are unforgettable, but it’s the stories within the lyrics that continue to move us decades after they were written.
The finest vocalists understand that. Paul Marinaro is one of them.
When Paul sings, you don’t hear someone trying to recreate Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, or Nat King Cole. Instead, you hear an artist who has found his own voice while honoring the tradition that made those legendary singers timeless.
He sings every lyric as though it matters. Every phrase has purpose. Every song feels personal. That’s why audiences throughout the country—and increasingly around the world—have embraced him.
Originally from Buffalo, Paul grew up in a musical family where the songs of the Great American Songbook were part of everyday life. His father dreamed of becoming a professional singer, a dream life ultimately took in another direction. Years later, Paul honored that legacy with his debut recording, Without a Song, creating not only an exceptional jazz album but a heartfelt tribute to his father and the music that shaped both of their lives.
That sense of authenticity has never left his music.
Although Chicago has become his home, Paul has emerged as one of today’s premier jazz vocalists, performing at Birdland in New York, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, major festivals throughout Europe (most notably in Sicily), and most recently touring internationally as the featured vocalist for the Oscar Peterson Centennial Celebration. Critics consistently praise his remarkable phrasing, emotional depth, and ability to tell a story through song.
Yet what impresses me most isn’t the résumé. It’s what happens when the music begins.
Paul has a rare ability to make every person in the audience feel as though he’s singing directly to them. His warm baritone draws you into each song. Before long, you forget you’re listening to familiar standards. Instead, you’re hearing stories about love, hope, heartbreak, joy, and resilience that somehow feel remarkably current.
That’s the magic of a great interpreter.
It’s also why the musicians surrounding him matter.
Joining Paul in Lewiston will be a stellar ensemble featuring Tom Vaitsas on piano, Mike Allemana on guitar, John Tate on bass, and Neil Hemphill on drums. Individually, they are exceptional musicians. Together, they create the kind of musical conversation that allows every song to come alive.
For those who love the Great American Songbook, Tom Vaitsas is the kind of pianist every great vocalist hopes to have beside them. His playing is elegant and deeply musical, always serving the lyric while adding subtle colors that make each performance feel fresh and spontaneous.
Mike Allemana is one of today’s most respected jazz guitarists. His playing is lyrical, sophisticated, and remarkably conversational. Rather than stepping into the spotlight, he listens, responds, and shapes the music alongside Paul in a way that feels completely natural.
Add the steady artistry of bassist John Tate and drummer Tom Vaitsas, and you have far more than an outstanding rhythm section. You have four musicians who understand that their role is to tell the story together. That kind of chemistry can’t be rehearsed—it comes from years of listening, trusting, and making music together.
Recently, Paul released Mood Ellington, an ambitious celebration of the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Rather than simply revisiting these classic songs, he approached them with the care, respect, and imagination they deserve. The result has been widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising not only the richness of the arrangements but Paul’s extraordinary ability to communicate the emotional heart of every lyric.
Perhaps that’s why I believe Paul Marinaro is exactly the kind of artist audiences are searching for today.
In a world that often feels hurried, his performances invite us to slow down. To listen more closely. To smile. To remember. To feel something.
On Friday evening, August 28 at 8:30 pm, Lewiston has the opportunity to welcome home one of Buffalo’s own—an artist who has built an international reputation while never losing sight of where he came from or why these songs matter.
If you already love the Great American Songbook, you’ll leave reminded why these songs have endured for generations.
If you’re discovering them for the first time, you’ll understand why they’ve never gone out of style.
Either way, you’ll experience something memorable.
And that’s exactly what great jazz is meant to do.
If my recommendation has you thinking about joining us in Lewiston to experience Paul, a limited number of $25 reserved seats are still available near the Main Stage. They’re a wonderful way to enjoy the performance while supporting the festival.
Reserve your seats here: https://www.lewistonjazz.com/jazzclubtcks
