Paul Booth performing at Fleet Jazz Club
Paul Booth first played tenor saxophone in public with his accordionist father in Spanish bars and restaurants. He was then 11 years old and the following year, also in Spain, he played with Diz Disley. At 13, while still at school, he was playing regularly in clubs in the north east of England, often working with the Dick Straughan band. At the age of 15 he appeared on television and played several prestigious engagements including one with Spike Robinson. The following year, he entered the Royal Academy of Music and during this same year he accompanied Harry Connick Jnr. and won the award for Most Promising Jazz Player Of The Year Under 21. The following year he won the Best Modern Jazz Player award in the Young Jazz Player Of The Year competition. One of the judges at this was Ronnie Scott, who likened Paul’s playing to that of the late Tubby Hayes and who also booked him to lead a quartet at his London club. Paul went on soon after to become the first non-American to win the First Level Award and a Clifford Brown / Stan Getz fellowship at the NFAA/Arts Week.
Having released four solo albums to date, Paul has firmly established himself as an in demand solo artist, as well as a ‘first call’ sideman for many big names in both jazz and popular music worlds. His ability to blend into any musical surrounding coupled with his talents as a multi-instrumentalist has seen him work with a variety of well-known artists.
Paul is currently in the Steve Winwood band, can be seen touring with Basia, the BBC Big Band, Michael Janisch Quintet and has performed worldwide with the likes of Carlos Santana, Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Riverdance, Ingrid Jensen, Matt Bianco, Eddie Henderson, Alex Wilson, Roberto Pla, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Snowboy, Ray Gelato, Jane Monheit etc.
Although Paul runs several groups including the Paul Booth Quintet (including Phil Robson/Michael Janisch) and Bansangu Orchestra, more recently he has been going out with an organ trio featuring Ross Stanley and Andrew Bain. This band grew out of his last album Trilateral, which featured three trio formations, one with Clarence Penn & Matt Brewer recorded in New York and the other with Phil Robson & Adriano Adewale.
Fleet Jazz Club 