Paul Sawtell

 

To My Web Page

HOME

My Music

CONTACT / LINKS

My Biography

My musical education began in a rather unusual way; my family were not musical in the slightest so it was left to me as a small child to discover the wonderful varied instrumental world of the BBC television test card music tapes back in 1963. It was all there in bite-sized chunks: classical, jazz, Latin-American, light orchestral and it was all expertly played. I began classical piano training from the age of 8 but continued to listen and learn from jazz recordings wherever possible, finding great joy in the repertoire now known as the Great American Songbook. These people knew how to write memorable tunes which have stood the test of time; how unlike today’s ‘popular music’. My professional career began in 1976 when I began working as a pianist onboard P & O cruise liners. Realising this was fun but not likely to lead anywhere I returned home to begin a life as a freelance musician. I began to do many BBC radio and tv broadcasts, many shows with the famous and not-so, together with the roughage comprising the good, bad and the ugly that is served up to any jobbing musician. Although I have turned my hand(s) to many things, including playing church organ for weddings and funerals, it has been the world of jazz where I have always felt most at home. I have been truly privileged to have worked with many of the finest players in the business and have acreditable discography to my name which includes 11 CDs for Salena Jones, over 200 original library music compositions and several (and adding) CDs as a jazz pianist and vibes player in my own right. Away from music, I served as a justice of the peace in Stourbridge & Halesowen for 10 years, hold a 1st class honours degree in law, am a keen chef, brewer of real ales and a bridge player. If you may be interested in booking me please email plsawtell@aol.com At the time of writing, I am setting up a project to honour the work of the late George Shearing. Great tunes are brought alive once again like Lullaby of Birdland, East of the Sun, I’ll Remember April etc arrangements by me taken from the Shearing recordings. This may be performed using the original quintet line-up or as a quartet (omitting guitar). See the link my music for audio clips and a video clip of the Shearing project. Thanks for reading. Paul