The Paula Boggs traverses jazz, bluegrass, soul, folk and Americana. This Seattle-brewed soul grass group’s rich, rootsy style comes from its versatile lineup: Paula Boggs, lead vocals/guitar/ukulele; David Salonen, bass/fiddle/guitar/vocals; Tor Dietrichson, percussion/vocals; Paul Matthew Moore, keyboards/accordion/vocals; Jacob Evans, drums; and Darren Loucas, multi-instrumentalist.

Paula has a longstanding history of activism. She is a former member of the President's Committee on the Arts & Humanities (PCAH) who resigned following the Charlottesville, VA riots. The band’s song “Benediction,” inspired by the 2015 Charleston, SC church murders, premiered in Charleston with Mother Emanuel AME Choir. The most recent album “Janus” featured Dom Flemons, “The American Songster®". Paula had a 14-year career in public service, including federal prosecutor, attorney for the U.S. military and for the White House. She is an Army Airborne veteran, and received a Congressional appointment to the US Naval Academy – among America’s first women to do so.  She also spent many years as Starbucks' top lawyer and as a VP at Dell Corporation.

ALBUM: “SUMATRA” (Release Date: March 2026)

“Sumatra” is powerful and timely, featuring collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Josh Neumann, James Falzone, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and Valerie June. The album represents a rich tapestry of musical influences, drawing from the band’s Pacific Northwest roots and infusing elements of blues, gospel, and folk traditions. The album’s themes are more relevant than ever, making it a potential standout in the Folk-Americana genre.

Steeped in history, Sumatra is the world’s sixth largest island and home to some of Earth’s most exotic and endangered animals and plants. Its renowned coffee is bold, smooth and distinctive. The album is filled with stories that canvas Paula’s life and her world view, but are universal enough to connect with wide audiences. “Sumatra” is often weighty and begins with a Gregorian chant, an ancient prayer that sets a tone for what follows. The album’s themes canvas aging, love, loss, ancestry, hope, humor and resolve. The album ends with Blind Boys of Alabama and Valerie June joining the band to declare “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round,” an emphatic punctuation mark to a collection of songs recorded with mostly acoustic instruments.

The presence of grace throughout the world is in short supply.  We are quick to judge, assume the worst, fear, demonize and kill each other. In today’s world, in the United States and beyond we resort too often to the cowardice social media affords. “Sumatra” seeks to remind us how lucky we are to be alive. “Sumatra” is countercultural, suggesting a path to seeing each other as fellow humans, with far more in common than our differences.

Whitney Mongé:

Whitney Mongé is a Nashville-based Americana Soul singer-songwriter, guitarist whose smoky vocals and emotionally charged songwriting have earned her national recognition, including winning the 2025 Cayamo Soundcheck Contest and being named a finalist in the Arium Sounds of Summer competition. Blending the grit of Brittany Howard with the poetic depth of Tracy Chapman and the raw energy of Lenny Kravitz, Whitney delivers songs that feel both timeless and urgent. Her sound weaves together blues, alternative rock, and indie folk with a soulful edge that’s entirely her own.

Originally rooted in the Pacific Northwest, Whitney built a devoted following in Seattle before taking her music to stages across the U.S. and Europe. Whether performing solo with just a guitar or backed by a full band, she commands the room with honesty, power, and a voice that lingers long after the last note.