t isn't easy to put a label on someone who so wilfully defies category. Paul Batto is perhaps best characterized as a "songster" who, through the medium of deeply personal poetry, offers the listener glimpses into his ever-restless soul. He's got stories to tell - and they come as songs of many shapes and colors...


Paul has received critical acclaim for his subtle lyric, earthy guitar playing and strong vocals. Audiences all around Europe have been endeared by his understated performances and moved by the strength of his ballads. The three recent releases AIN'T BUT ONE WAY (2009), LONESOME ROAD (2014) and STRAIGHT TALK (2017) have received glowing reviews in a number of countries. WALKING CLOSE (2019) is the newest release and marks a ten year collaboration with pianist Ondra Kriz. Paul keeps a busy tour schedule of about 150 concerts per year.

Paul was born in 1967 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In mid 80s he relocated to Switzerland and has since lived in various European countries (currently near Prague, Czech Republic). Over the years Paul has found himself in a wide variety of settings - ranging from solo performances to fronting orchestras. The early, and perhaps most defining years were spent honing his vocal skills with a low key vocal gospel group A.B.C. Blues bands under his name followed as did a number of co-operations with various jazz combos and big bands in Switzerland, Hungary and Czech Republic. Since 2003 Paul has toured extensively as a solo artist and in a duo with a Czech pianist Ondra Kriz - appearing at numerous festivals, theatres, culture houses and clubs in The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia.