Conversations with Paul Munoz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Munoz.

Paul, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m Paul Muñoz, and my story really begins between two places that shaped me—Long Beach, California, where I was born, and Ensenada, Baja California, where I was raised. Later in life, I found myself drawn to big cities like San Francisco and New York, where I lived for twelve years. Eventually, I came home to Long Beach. And for a long time, music wasn’t even part of my life. I was working as a server, figuring things out, trying to find my place again.

My way back to music happened in the most unexpected and heartfelt way. I was serving at a little spot called Waters Edge Winery, and I wanted to keep guests engaged and in their seats. So I did something simple—I started serenading people. I brought a Bluetooth speaker from home, connected my phone, and sang the songs I grew up loving. Jazz standards. The Great American Songbook. Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Billie Holiday. And I noticed right away: people felt something.

Those early moments turned into a weekly gig. First an hour, then two. That little experiment became the spark that lit everything that followed.

Eventually, I brought in two incredible musicians—Nicholas James Scott and Gary Thomas—and together we formed what is now Bread & Butter. We called it that because, as Nicholas said, we play the “bread and butter” of jazz standards. And not only was the music growing, but so was the momentum. I poured everything into this project like I had never done before. I was singing from a place of truth, lived experiences, heartbreak, love, loss, and gratitude. And in those lyrics—the 1930s and 40s poetry of longing, tenderness, and romance—I began to hear my own story reflected back.

By 2025, I found myself not only performing but producing. With the help of my friend Cristina La Rocca, we launched the Long Beach Revival Festival—Jazz & Soul—on the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. Two hundred people attended. It was beautiful, it was emotional, and it was one of the proudest moments of my life. So now, “producer” is part of my story too.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is also a chapter of my life that quietly fuels everything I do today. A few years back, I faced a period of drug addiction and stepped into recovery. While it’s not the center of my narrative, it’s part of the melody that shapes the way I move through the world. Recovery these last five years has given me a deeper understanding of the songs I sing. It’s allowed me to deliver them with a fuller heart, a grounded voice, and a gratitude that shows up every single time I step onstage.

When I sing now, I’m not just performing—I’m connecting. I’m offering a piece of myself. A life well lived, with highs, lows, and everything in between. And that truth sits inside every note.

Weaving all of this together—my beginnings, my travels, the years away from music, the years it took to return, the recovery, the healing, the rediscovery of my voice—makes me emotional in the best way. I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I don’t talk about every part of my journey, but I don’t hide any of it either. It’s all part of who I am and why I sing the way I do.

So has it been a smooth road? Well, as you’ve heard, there have definitely been some struggles along the way. This is my first time fronting my own band, and it’s a whole different monster from just being in bands before. I’ve always been in original bands, but leading one myself, booking gigs, and realizing that you can actually make a living playing these 1930s-40s jazz standards—well, that was a learning curve.

I’ve found that this genre is actually very hirable. It brings out all these layers of nostalgia, romance, emotion, and just a whole gamut of feelings for people. So that came naturally. But the struggles have been figuring out how to book the band, how to find leads, and how to learn from the inevitable mistakes along the way.

And you know, it can be a little lonely at times when you’re leading the charge. My band is incredibly supportive, they’re yes-guys, professional and talented, but at the end of the day, a lot of the push has to come from me.

I’ve found that everything I thought I needed from someone else, I’ve discovered in myself. And that makes the struggles kind of fun. It’s new, it’s a journey, and I didn’t know I’d be this good at it. So, yeah, it’s been a road with bumps, but it’s been a joyful one.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
So, what do I do and what do I specialize in? Well, I sing jazz standards in the style of the greats—Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan. I specialize in delivering emotions. I specialize in performing the heck out of these songs with flair, with movement, and with a genuine connection. Not just with my band and the chemistry we have on stage, but with the audience as well.

When you walk into a venue where we’re performing, my goal is to let you leave the worries of life behind for a little while. Just lean into the atmosphere—romantic, nostalgic, full of hope. That’s what I do, and that’s what I specialize in.
And of course, I can’t forget Los Panchos because boleros are a big part of what I do as well. Being Mexican and a native Spanish speaker, I love to sprinkle boleros into our sets. So alongside those jazz standards, you’ll hear that romantic, nostalgic bolero influence as well. That’s part of what makes our performances unique.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I really believe in building a community around what I do. That means not just receiving support, but showing up for others, supporting them, and being available to lift others up as well. On a personal note, I’ve always seen myself as someone young at heart. I keep my life small and cherish the things that are most important to me—like my two fur babies, Sam and Tony. I’ve been with Sam for 14 years, and I love him more than words can say. I love my family, my friends, and I focus my energy on what truly matters. And of course, I’m excited for all the new experiences and growth still to come.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadnbutter_lbc?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulmunoz7161