Pure Imagination: An Evening Of Standards With Leif Shires and Jaimee Paul

Friday, September 4th, 7:30PM

Nashville Jazz Workshop

The Nashville Jazz Workshop welcomes trumpeter Leif Shires and vocalist Jaimee Paul to the Jazz Cave for Pure Imagination, an evening of Great American Songbook standards from two of Nashville's most in-demand interpreters of the form, who also happen to be married.

Shires has built one of the most versatile careers in Nashville music. He has toured with Jack White, Kelly Clarkson, and Wanda Jackson, played on My Morning Jacket's Grammy-nominated Circuital, and worked alongside the legendary Memphis Horns. He has performed before audiences that include a U.S. president, prime ministers, members of Congress, ambassadors, and senior military leaders. As a leader, his Green Hill Music albums What a Wonderful World and Cool Jazz Christmas showcase the warm, unhurried trumpet playing for which he has become known throughout Nashville's recording community. His 2023 record, Beautiful Love, places him alongside pianist Pat Coil, bassist Jacob Jezioro, and drummer Danny Gottlieb. He releases his newest project, In My Life, on August 27, 2026.

Paul brings a voice shaped by classical training and a lifelong love of Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin. Her debut jazz album At Last reached No. 1 on the iTunes Jazz chart. She has sung background for Wynonna and Kelly Clarkson, and has performed around the globe in theaters, symphony halls, and jazz clubs. Her recent releases include The Gershwin Songbook and The Richard Rodgers Songbook.

For this program, titled after a tune on Shires' Beautiful Love, the two trade the spotlight across an evening of songbook favorites, ballads, and swing. Horn and voice, in the intimacy of the Jazz Cave.

Join us for an evening of timeless melodies and inspired jazz interpretations.