LANCASTER, Pa. – Nola Blue Records proudly announces the signing of The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan. Plans for the release of Paule’s eleventh album (the seventh with his orchestra) in July 2026 are underway. Founded in 2007 by guitarist and songwriter Anthony Paule and based in San Francisco, California, The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra (APSO) is a horn-driven unit inspired by the authentic soul and blues recordings of the ’60s and ’70s.
Born in Durban, South Africa and instilled with a love of music at an early age from his father’s music collection and the influence of his two older brothers, Anthony Paule got his first guitar at age 12 or 13. His first paying gig was right out of high school, playing in his older brother’s country band. The band ultimately expanded into blues and rock and roll, and a 1979 move to Wisconsin in search of opportunity put vocalist and songwriter Christine Vitale in Paule’s musical and personal path. The rest, as they say, is history… here chronicled in greater detail.
Now, more than forty-five years after that chance meeting, Paule and his work and life partner, Christine Vitale, are taking the next steps on their shared musical journey, writing with Larry Batiste and Willy Jordan in preparation for recording sessions beginning in early 2026. Plans for the new album use the same key ingredients from the winning formula that made What Are You Waiting For?, the APSO’s 2024 collaboration with vocalist Willy Jordan, a celebrated success described by Living Blues magazine as “a pairing of two veteran talents that brings something new to the tried and true.” Downbeat magazine’s four-star review recognized “strong musicianship and grooves, perfect arrangements, ample enthusiasm and built-to-last originals.” The Blues Foundation concurred, with three of Paule’s eleven career Blues Music Award nominations bestowed in connection with the album: Band of the Year, Album of the Year, and Soul Blues Album.
“Having first met Anthony and Christine as a result of our shared connections to the late, great Southern Gentleman of The Blues, Mr. Frank Bey, it is truly a joy to begin this new working relationship,” says Nola Blue Records President, Sallie Bengtson. “Our conversations are filled with both shared and complementary perspectives, which always results in strength and growth for all parties.”
Christine Vitale, songwriter, states, “We’re beyond thrilled to join the Nola Blue Records Family. Sallie Bengtson, Nola Blue Records president, has released a bevy of impressive recordings, created by the select group of artists she’s signed. I am delighted she has asked The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan to climb onboard, and I’m proud to continue my role, behind-the-scenes.”
“The Soul Orchestra and I are excited to be working with Sallie and Nola Blue Records,” shares Anthony Paule. “The synergy between the Orchestra and Nola Blue president, Sallie Bengtson, is undeniable. We feel this is a great match, and we’re honored to be releasing an album along side such luminaries as Maria Muldaur, Candice Ivory, and Duke Robillard. We’re looking forward to a long and successful creative relationship with Nola Blue.”
For more about The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, visit www.anthonypaule.com and follow the APSO on Facebook and YouTube @AnthonyPauleSoulOrchestra.
