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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZOWEN, Paula(b 13 April '48, Springfield OH) Singer who began studying classical clarinet: her music teacher heard her singing 'Misty' in the practice room and asked her to join his group. Her first official gig at the VFW '66 earned her $10. While her peers were combing the bins for Elvis and Beatles albums, she came home with Kenton and Benny Goodman sides; later she performed on the Holiday Inn Circuit for some time, but she is a much better singer than that would suggest, graceful, completely relaxed yet in control, not trying hard to impress or dazzle: an unpretentious pleasure. All her albums are on Cadence: Red, Greens And Blues '85 incl. stan- dards 'God Bless The Child', 'My Funny Valentine' etc plus three of her originals; What Is This Magic? '89 was a similar mixture. She won third place in the Billboard songwriting contest '92; and teamed with saxophonist Ernie Krivda for perhaps her best album so far, So Nice To Meet You '94. She has performed nearly every Saturday night since '86 at Rick's Cafe Americain in Indianapolis, remaining in the Midwest with her husband and five children rather than seeking glitzier fame. |