Grab some friends and enjoy an evening of relaxing music, romantic songs, a little wine and Paolo Scardina on the grand piano – it’s a perfect way to be entertained on a Friday night in Sedona. A home interior designer by day and a musician at night, Paolo is passionate about music. “Singing songs and designing homes is what I enjoy doing most, but music is for love, not for money,” he quips. This gift of music drove him on a lifelong quest to share his feelings about love and life with others through the art of song. He recalls fond memories of his family gathering around the piano, singing Italian songs. “I believe that is why I love music so much. We would just sing and carry on; music was always a big part of my life,” he says.
Since the age of 5, Paolo studied piano, dance and later moved on to a career in architecture and design. It wasn’t until he moved to Sedona 11 years ago that he started taking his music seriously. A lover of the “oldies but goodies” songs from the ’50s and ’60s, Paolo’s inspiration comes from crooners such as Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis. “The music from that time period evoked heartfelt lyrics, the harmonies were more complex and interesting and it was very different than the music we listen to today,” says Paolo. “I enjoy sharing my own feelings about music with other people. It’s an opportunity where I can truly be in the moment and connect with the audience.” When asked about his all-time-favorite song, he says, “Whatever song I’m singing at the moment, that’s my favorite song!”
An acclaimed vocalist, pianist and arranger, Paolo writes some of his own songs, pulling from, as he describes it, “the best of the best” and putting his own spin on it. His long list of favorite artists include Elton John, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Billy Joel, Cole Porter and theater works from Andrew Lloyd Webber. “I usually listen to different versions of a song, and determine how the musicians interpreted those lyrics. The challenge becomes making it different, and my own,” he says.
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