Paul Booth blowing his own horn

Paul Booth’s organ trio at Jazz Hastings

For its November session Jazz Hastings presents saxophonist Paul Booth and his organ trio. Julian Norridge sets the scene.

Paul Booth is one of the most in-demand musicians on the UK jazz scene today. His ability to blend into any musical surrounding, coupled with his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, have seen him work with a wide variety of artists, including the Steve Winwood band, Carlos Santana, Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, the Allman Brothers and many more.

Booth also runs several of his own groups on both sides of the Atlantic, covering both jazz and world music. His highly praised world music group Patchwork Project, which features Jacqui Dankworth among others, has a new album due for release next year.

His organ trio has been playing together for a number of years to much critical acclaim. “Booth’s band is very much a band,” said one reviewer recently, “a thing of inspired empathy…it was pure enjoyment.”

His collaborators have won similar praise. Ross Stanley, who was awarded an organ scholarship at Marlborough College before going on to study at the Guildhall School of Music, has been called “the UK’s leading organist”.

Originally from Scotland, drummer Andrew Bain also attended the Guildhall School of Music, where he studied both classical and jazz percussion before moving to New York to read for a Masters degree at the Manhattan School of Music. One reviewer described his drumming as ”…a lead player’s delight, keeping the beat ever varied and interesting.”

In the 1990s Booth himself studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he won many awards, including the prestigious Clifford Brown/Stan Getz fellowship held in Miami. He was also named the Best Modern Jazz Player in the televised Young Jazz Player of the Year competition. He has more than lived up to that promise.

Paul Booth Organ Trio Jazz Hastings, Tuesday 7 November, East Hastings Sea Angling Association (on the Stade behind the lifeboat station). Doors open at 7.45pm for an 8.30 start, tickets £10 on the door.

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