Nita Paul
Nita began her musical journey by entering into study of classical music, both voice and cello, as a small child. In a sense, however, Nita’s true passion for music began when she found jazz.
Nita spent several years studying jazz vocal technique beginning with bassist Carroll Dashiels,in North Carolina. Upon moving to the Baltimore area, Nita resumed her jazz studies with Ethel Ennis, Stef Scaggiari, Ronnie Wells and Ron Elliston.
Nita paid her dues for more than a year and a half going to numerous open mics, sitting in with jazz friends, Bob Diener and Victor Dvoskin finally performing at, Twins Lounge in Washington, as part of the "Emerging Jazz Artists". Nita began singing with "The Art of Meaning", in 1999, a pop group she met after joining Baltimore Songwriters, Association. Nita, a former Vice President of Baltimore Songwriters, and Paul Iwancio, president emeritus of Baltimore Songwriters, perform, as the duo, "Take Two". "Take Two", opened for renowned songwriter and author Steve Gillette, at "Cellar Stage", at which time Mr. Gillette, remarked very favorable about Nita’s compositions. Nita and Paul also perform in Paul’s Band, “The Art of Meaning”, along with John Seay and Carl Rosetti.
Nita performed in the yearly fund raising concerts held by the BSA and was a contributor to their compilation CDs: "From Our Circle", ”One” and “Four” for which she was singled out by John Lewis (of Baltimore Magazine) for an outstanding composition, “delightful tunes that fly high above the tree tops” Chris Davis, (Songwriter magazine). Nita also performed twice as a guest artist, for the annual Benedict College Alumni Club fund raiser which Russ Moss is the featured artist and with jazz guitarist Steve Herberman at the annual conference for Maryland Nonprofit Associations, and again with Steve and Victor Dvoskin as part of “Nita’s Palette” a night of Jazz at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Nita was the 3rd place finalist in the "Mayor’s Billie Holiday Jazz Vocal Competition" 2000 and a semi finalist in 2002. Nita was selected to perform at The Mount Vernon Cultural District Concert Series, with pianist Alan Blackman and for the Downtown Partnership series.
Currently Nita performs regularly, in the Mid Atlantic Region, at House Concerts, Festivals, including Artscape, coffee houses, restaurants, and with the Baltimore Downtown Partnership. She performs both jazz and pop music and continues to write music. Nita released her first CD December 2005 and has performed on other CD’s of Paul Iwancio, “Open Heart Stories” and John Seay ‘About Faith”, “Yule Be Alright”, “Hand Picked Fresh” and “17 By 3” and “Art Live” “The Art of Meaning” 2005.