Michael Paul Smith Pays Tribute to Paul Robeson

Come and experience Michael Paul Smith’s extraordinary voice in this one-man show of songs, stories, and anecdotal narratives inspired by the life and career of the great Paul Robeson. Michael Paul’s glorious vocal gifts and stage presences are sublimely suited to portray this legendary American icon.

Paul Leroy Bustill Robeson was born in Princeton, New Jersey on April 9, 1898. The son of an ex-slave, Paul Robeson grew to become a world-renowned scholar, athlete, actor, singer, linguist and political activist. He performed his signature song “Ol’ Man River” in command performances all over the world. At the pinnacle of his artistic career in the 1940s, Robeson turned his attention to human rights, becoming an eloquent and controversial spokesperson. His talents made him a revered man of his time, yet his radical political beliefs all but erased him from popular history. Robeson spoke out against racism, discrimination, and disenfranchisement so often that he was branded a traitor by the FBI. Today, more than one hundred years after his birth, Robeson is just beginning to receive the credit he is due.

Michael Paul Smith brings us a tribute to this great man!

Mr. Smith has recently been at The Rainbow Room in New York City performing songs from famous Broadway musicals with Tony Award winners Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone and Ann Reinking. He was the soloist for Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana at CSU Los Angeles and has performed with Opera Noir, Los Angeles, Southland, Santa Barbara, Redlands, Long Beach, Torrance, and Shanghai opera companies in addition to the Honolulu Symphony, Pasadena Pops, Redlands, Torrance, Beijing, Southeast and South Bay symphony orchestras. He has toured throughout the United States, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, China and Japan.

Check Michael Paul Smith’s calendar for upcoming shows.

Yolanda Mitchell West and Michael Paul Smith

Soprano Yolanda Mitchell West and baritone Michael Paul Smith appear together frequently performing “From Mozart to Porgy.” The program features arias and duets from Opera and Broadway. Accompanied by Byron J. Smith on piano, the duet sings an array of songs from Man of La Mancha, Sound of Music, Don Giovanni, Showboat and Porgy and Bess.

An award-winning soprano, Yolanda Mitchell West is one of Southern California’s premier soloists, appearing with symphony orchestras, at music festivals, on national TV and at art museums. A versatile live performer, Ms. West sings Mozart’s arias with precision and grace, as well as indulging audiences with emotionally rich portrayals of American standards and spirituals. She has recorded such a collection on her recent compact disc “Sweet Sweet Spirit.” Ms. West is a native of Monterey and a graduate of Santa Catalina School. Please visit her website at www.yolandawest.com.

Baritone Michael Paul Smith has performed with opera companies and symphonies in the United States, Europe and Asia and has been performing his one-man tribute show to Paul Robeson. He recently released a compact disc of inspirational music entitled, “On Eagle’s Wings.”

Check Michael Paul Smith’s calendar for upcoming shows.