PAUL YATES is a bassist, music educator, and collaborator, who has represented Niagara Falls proudly throughout his dynamic music career. A 1998 graduate of LaSalle Senior High School, Paul’s musical journey began in his senior year, when he made an immediate impact, performing in the school’s jazz ensemble, concert band, wind ensemble, marching band, and musical theater pit orchestra.

Though he joined the program in his final year, his talent was undeniable, earning him the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award. Shortly after graduation, he landed his first professional engagement at the historic Riviera Theatre in Frank Sinatra: Doin’ It His Way, performing alongside David Bondrow and legendary pianist Karl Koch, who had accompanied icons including Sinatra himself. This marked the beginning of an impressive career spanning decades and genres.

In the early 2000s, Paul became a fixture in Niagara Falls’ vibrant hard rock and metal scene with groups like Short of Breath and Plain of Ashes, sharing stages with national acts such as Chimaira and Switched, and local legends Stemm (2019 Inductees).

In 2009, he joined singer-songwriter Fred Shafer on a national tour including the cities of New York, Chicago, Boston, and Nashville, performing alongside many national recording artists. Later that year, he joined a Military Welfare and Recreation tour, performing at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and at military bases across South Korea, Japan, and Diego Garcia.

Choosing to remain closer to home to raise a family, Paul transitioned into education, teaching for five years at Lewiston (now Niagara) Music before joining Cadence Music in Clarence in 2017. His theater credits include performing in the Niagara University productions of 9 to 5 and The Pajama Game. As a bassist, Paul has shared stages with world-class tribute artists Rick Alviti and Irv Cass, blues and rock standouts like Faron Johns, the Pappy Johns Band, Indigenous actor-musician Graham Greene, and Broadway’s Syndee Winters.

His international credits include a 2019 tour of Iceland and Denmark with blues guitarist Tommy Z and a 2023 performance at Kleinhans Music Hall with the BPO and Grammy-winning gospel artist Donald Lawrence. A respected studio musician, Paul’s discography includes collaborations with Will Holton, David Jonathan & the Inner City Bedlam, The Mobile Hotspots, Windtree Theory, and Omeri Monroe II, with his work featured on iTunes and YouTube.

He is a four-time Buffalo Nightlife Music Award winner for Best Blues Bassist (2015, 2016, 2018, 2024) and remains an in-demand performer throughout Western New York and beyond. Currently, Paul performs with The Pat Harrington Trio, HYTS, Big City Horns, Queen City (A Tribute to Queen), Powertain, The Thomas Marinaro Quartet, Taylor Made Jazz, Melissa Kate and The Van Taylor Project.

Through his artistry, mentorship, and dedication, Paul Yates has not only elevated every stage he’s graced but has also inspired countless musicians to follow in his footsteps. For his lifelong commitment to excellence we are proud and honored to induct Paul Yates into the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame.