PAUL
JOBSON

Keyboardist · Hammond Organist · Vocalist · Musical Director · Arranger

British musician Paul Jobson has spent more than 25 years performing, touring and recording across the international soul, funk, blues and popular music scenes. Based in Germany, he works as a keyboardist, Hammond organist, vocalist, musical director and arranger, bringing the same attention to feel and ensemble playing to a club set, a recording session or a major live production.

A three-time British Blues Award nominee in the keyboard player category, Paul also placed among the top three keyboardists in a Blues Matters magazine poll. His playing centres on Hammond organ and piano, informed by a broad musical background spanning soul, funk, jazz, rhythm & blues, blues, rock and contemporary pop.

Artists and collaborations

Paul’s performance credits include Chaka Khan, Ben E. King, The Brand New Heavies, Robben Ford, Joss Stone, Gloria Scott, The Emotions, The Impressions, Larry Graham, Zigaboo Modeliste, Omar, Imelda May, Hamish Stuart, Linda Lewis, Madeline Bell and Boney M featuring Liz Mitchell.

His work in soul and funk also includes Steve Arrington, Keni Burke, Leroy Hutson, The Jones Girls, Barbara Mason, The Natural Four, Billy Valentine, Randy Brown, Ann Sexton, Noel McCalla, Noel McKoy and Eban Brown.

Further collaborations include Cymande II, Gonzalez, Carol Grimes, Geoff Achison, Javier Vargas, Chris Barber, Andy Fairweather Low, Paul Jones, Sam Kelly, Gregor Hilden, Kai Strauss, Layla Zoe, Sean Webster, Joy Rose, Bad Manners and Chicago Beau.

These credits cover a range of engagements, from tours and concert residencies to festival appearances, sessions, television productions and guest performances. Paul performed live with The Brand New Heavies; his work with Gloria Scott includes both live performance and recording for Acid Jazz Records.

Musical director and arranger

Alongside his performing career, Paul works as a musical director, arranger and bandleader. His musical-direction credits include Cymande II, Sam Kelly’s Station House, Gregor Hilden and Chicago Beau, across touring productions, concerts and television performances.

He was musical director and keyboardist for Ma Bessie, the theatrical production celebrating the life and music of Bessie Smith, starring Julia Titus. As founder and bandleader of the London-based ensemble Cut the Funk, he brought together musicians from the British soul, jazz and funk scenes to perform original material.

Paul’s approach combines clear arrangements, practical preparation and close attention to how an ensemble plays together. He works from charts or develops arrangements by ear, and has extensive experience with keyboard programming, MIDI integration, software instruments and click-synchronised live performance.

Television and radio

In 2007, Paul performed in the house band for BBC Four’s Soul Britannia at the Barbican Centre in London. The production brought together generations of British soul and funk musicians. Paul accompanied original artists and musicians associated with Average White Band, Cymande and Gonzalez, alongside Linda Lewis, Jimmy Lindsay and Carol Grimes.

In 2013, he appeared with Chicago Beau on the German television programme Jazz oder Nie as musical director, keyboardist and vocalist. His television credits also include performances alongside Larry Graham and Graham Central Station.

His radio work includes numerous live sessions, with BBC Radio 2 appearances on programmes presented by Paul Jones and Mark Lamarr, as well as other national and international broadcasts.

Touring and live performance

Paul has worked extensively across the UK and mainland Europe, performing as many as 250 concerts a year during the busiest periods of his career. His experience ranges from intimate jazz clubs and artist residencies to international tours, festival stages and broadcast productions.

London venues include Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Café, the Barbican, the 606 Club and The Hideaway. He has also performed at the Billboard Club in Tokyo, Liverpool’s Cavern Club, New Morning and Duc des Lombards in Paris, the Burghausen Jazz Festival in Germany, and numerous blues, soul, jazz and contemporary music festivals.

Recordings

Paul’s recording work encompasses Hammond organ, piano, keyboards and other instrumental contributions to studio albums, live releases and broadcast productions.

Cut the Funk released its debut album, Weekend Coda, in 2012. His recording credits also include Sam Kelly’s Station House, Fowokan, Richard Studholme, Nigel Bagge, Ben Mills, Krissy Matthews, Arthur Louis, Richard Bailey, Geoff Achison, Cymande II and Zigaboo Modeliste.

Paul also features vocally on “I Wouldn’t Treat a Dog (The Way You Treat Me)” and “Same Old Blues” on Kai Strauss’s album Don’t Be a Stranger. He has recorded with Gloria Scott for Acid Jazz Records, played Hammond organ on Malaya Blue’s Heartsick, and contributed to Kai Strauss’s In My Prime and Night Shift. His live recording credits with Layla Zoe include Retrospective Tour and Back to the Spirit of 66.

Background and instruments

A formally trained pianist, Paul holds Grade 8 Pianoforte, Grade 5 Music Theory and a BTEC National Diploma in Popular Music. He also plays bass guitar and drums and works as a vocalist.

His musical training sits alongside extensive practical experience with professional keyboard systems, virtual instruments, MIDI programming and live performance technology. His professional instrument endorsements include Hammond Suzuki and Novation Keyboards.

Current work

Based in Germany, Paul continues to perform and tour internationally. His current work includes Kai Strauss & The Electric Blues Allstars, Boney M featuring Liz Mitchell and Sean Webster, alongside other professional projects.

He continues to develop his work in artist accompaniment, professional backing bands and large-scale live entertainment, drawing on a career that connects international stages, recording studios, television and musical direction.

Contact

International touring · Television productions · Musical Director · Arranging · Recording sessions · Artist backing · Hammond organ, keyboards and vocals

info@pauljobsonmusic.com