Mountains, Weddings and Paola!

Today’s wedding was in the Pyrenees mountains not far from the south coast of France near Perpignan.   We were joined today by our fabulous fourth Candy Paola.

Singer/songwriter/pianist Paola Vera has been described as a ‘Jazz chick with hits’ (Richard Niles) and a ‘truly gifted improviser’ (Pete Churchill). Paola’s music blends her passion for jazz with a modern edge; a fresh take on groove, which she infuses into her own song writing and a new slant on old songs. She sites many influences including Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, James Taylor, Nat King Cole….

She first started singing and playing the piano at the age of 13, later going on to continue her musical education at Trinity College of Music and The Royal Academy of Music after receiving the Elton John Scholarship in London. In 2007 Paola was awarded a Yamaha Jazz Award for outstanding young Jazz musicians in association with Jazzwize magazine. She has since gone on to receive several awards as a singer and accompanist, including winning 2nd place in the Jazz Voices International competition in Lithuania in 2011. She has performed with many greats of the jazz scene, Kenny Wheeler, Jim Mullen, Bobby Mcferrin and many more..

Paola’s emotionally charged live performances have been seen on the most prestigious festival stages, concert halls and jazz clubs world wide including The New Morning (Paris) Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club (London), The 606 club (London), Pizza Express Dean Street (London), Nardis (Istanbul), St Emilion Jazz festival (France), Armandos (San Francisco), The Sound Room (San Francisco).

And as well as all of her amazing talents… Paola also stands in when one of us can’t perform… and we consider ourselves so lucky to have her as part of our team!

We arrived at Mas Lou Poun as the champagne was being served.  We were shown to one of the houses and told to make ourselves comfortable… there was even a Grand Piano for Paola (how did they get that in here?!)

We were wined and dined and we roamed the estate before everyone was ready to start the party.  A large marquee had been placed in the garden and The Candies used one of the terraces as a natural stage in front of this.  As we watched the sun dip behind the mountains the party started and we danced under the most beautiful of starry skies.

Mas Lou Poun is a mountain retreat… if you are in the area then visit!  You can stay in the Bergerie or hire the villa… it’s absolutely beautiful and you wont be disappointed!

Wow what a spectaculat performance. We were absolutely blown away and everyone was talking about you so much afterwards… We really hope to have the pleasure of you singing at Lou Poun again soon!  (Mas Lou Poun)