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About Paul's Picks
Paul’s Picks, identified in seasonal previews and flagged in Jazz Near You listings, are New York concert recommendations selected by reviewer Paul Reynolds. A longtime jazz fan, writer, and programmer, Paul serves as All About Jazz’s primary reviewer of live performances in New York.
Paul’s Picks are his personal editorial selections rather than official All About Jazz endorsements. But they come with a track record: All About Jazz has published every concert review Paul has submitted. His Picks highlight performances he finds especially intriguing and particularly worth bringing to the attention of adventurous listeners.
What makes a show a Paul’s Pick?
The performer may be underappreciated or deserving of wider attention. An established artist might be presenting a less-than-routine program, appearing in an unusual musical setting, or exploring something that promises to reveal a fresh side of their artistry.Paul discovers many of these performances by monitoring New York listings on Jazz Near You, the All About Jazz event directory, which reaches more than 40,000 jazz fans each week. Venues and artists who would like their performances considered for future picks are encouraged to list their events on Jazz Near You. There is no charge to do so.
Pitches or messages for Paul should be sent through his All About Jazz page while signed in to the website. Please understand that Paul may not be able to respond to every message.
If you do pitch a performance, keep the spirit of Paul’s Picks in mind: discovery is the point. A performance by an established artist appearing with the same ensemble they regularly play with in New York, for example, is less likely to be selected than a show offering something unexpected.
Paul casts a fairly wide net within jazz, though All About Jazz covers cabaret and rock only selectively. His Picks also generally steer away from smooth jazz and fusion, reflecting his own listening interests and the editorial nature of the column.
