Paul Stranahan is a drummer, composer, band leader, marimba player and teacher.

The Paul Stranahan Trio
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Paul was interviewed by WCLV 104.9 FM's John Simna on Sun. May 18th. The interview in it's entirety can be found by selecting this LINK. The best way to listen to this is with the Flock web browser.
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Artists Who Have Performed in the Trio:
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Chris Bober -
Guitar Chris Bober is a multi-talented guitarist/composer who originally hails from Detroit, MI. Chris was the recipient of the 2000 "Aquinas College Jazz Soloist Award". Chris has a Music Performance degree from Bowling Green State University where he studied with jazz guitarist Chris Buzzelli and classical guitarist Dan Lippel. Chris has also studied with the late, great jazz bassist Ray Brown, NYC guitarist Randy Johnston (of the Joey Defrancesco Trio), and the great composer/arranger/pianist Russell Schmidt. This varied education has given him a chance to explore the many different styles of jazz, including modern and traditional forms. Chris has also performed Verdi's "Falstaff" with the Bowling Green Opera as well as numerous solo classical recitals in Detroit, Bowling Green, Toledo, and Cleveland. Chris is an accomplished rock and funk guitarist as well who has played with the Cleveland based funk ensembl e The Afrodesiatics, the multi-media quartet Infinite Number Of Sounds (original rock), the Neil Chastain Trio (jazz-funk), the Paul Stranahan Trio (jazz-rock fusion), NYC violinist Joe Deninzon (jazz-rock fusion), and is the proud founder of the Chris Callan project. Chris teaches music at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Oh where he currently resides and plays. |
Aidan Plank - Bass |
Kip Reed - Bass |
Jeremy Bleich - Bass Jeremy has performed and/or recorded with Coung Vu (Pat Metheny Group), Jeff Coffen (Bela Fleck), Matt Murphy (Simon Shaheen), Chris Jonas, Rick Alias (Ragamuffins), Carmen Castaldi (Joe Lovano), Rich Stein (Lauren Hill) and Jason White. Jeremy's exploration of arabic
and middle eastern improvisation has led to serious study and practice
of the oud. His approach to this instrument straddles the tradtional
and modern in a similar way as his bassplaying. He has played the
oud in collaboration w/ Mustafa Stephan Dill (SAMA trio), Andrew
Stoltz (laptop musician/composer), and Rahim Alhaj (Iraqi oudist).
“Jeremy Bleich’s
free-jazz shredding and spooky low-string grooves give weight to
this fearless bass/drums/sax trio’s stream of consciousness
explorations.” -Bass Player on birth: "awesome and magnificent". - Wire (U.K.) |
| Jeremey Poparad - Guitar Jeremey Poparad is an Akron area guitarist and bassist who performs regularly with jazz, rock, and fusion groups. Jeremey began playing the guitar while in high school, and soon developed an interest in jazz. After high school, he pursued this interest by entering the jazz program at the University of Akron. While at UA, Jeremey studied jazz with local greats Bob Fraser, Jack Schantz, Rock Wehrmann, Bobby Selvaggio, Rich Shanklin, and Dean Newton and also performed regularly with numerous jazz and rock groups. Jeremey graduated in the spring of 2006 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Jazz Studies and Music Composition. Some groups that Jeremey frequently performs with are PSI, the Paul Stranahan Trio, the rock band Alexander the Ghost, and various other jazz groups, including his own trio and quartet. He has recently finished a CD of all his own original compositions featuring himself on guitar, Paul Stranahan on drums, and Bryan Thomas on bass. |
Dan Bruce - Guitar |
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PSI-Paul Stranahan's Insomnia concert at Cleveland State's Drinko Recital Hall - Sunday, November 11, 2007:

Paul on drums
Jeremey Poparad on guitar

Alan Gleghorn on bass

PSI's mascot

The Full Band

Paul on drums

Paul on drums
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Pictures of the Trio from the Musica Gig - February 2007:




June of 2003
Proartist interview with Paul Stranahan
Proartissat down with PaulStranahan, drummer/percussionist/instructor and leader of the Paul Stranahan Jazz Trio. Look for his new CD of jazz originals later this year! Paul is also the current drummer from jazz fusion instrumental rock band Rare Blend. If you like jazz and it's variations, here's a guy who is working hard at it!
How did the Paul Stranahan Jazz Trio get started?
I really enjoy listening to and playing jazz music. Unfortunately, there is not as much work in jazz as there is in say, blues or rock or country. I really wasn't getting a lot of calls for jazz gigs, so I decided to finally get off my behind and start booking gigs myself. Once I had a gig, I would call the best musicians I knew to play in the group. So, by booking gigs I could end up playing with some great musicians. It sure beats sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. Also, since I was a sideman for so long, I've experienced countless examples of how not to run a band and treat the musicians you're working with. I try not to think of myself as a leader but instead a member of a collaboration, and I was the one who just happened to book the gig. I think this makes for a more creative performance.
How would you describe your sound?
As far as the trio is concerned, I hope we have an interactive, creative and musical sound. We also are trying to incorporate more original compositions. When I write a song, I try to write something unique yet allow the musicians to go different ways each night. Some songs have a very high rhythmic energy, others may have more interesting harmonies. I try to have each song be different and unique.
What musicians have influenced your sound?
Well, I guess I'll name some who have inspired me to play music. In no particular order, Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Elvin Jones, Bill Bruford, John Scofield, Dennis Chambers, Tony Williams, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Wayne Shorter, Max Roach, Tower of Power, Meshuggah, Cream, and Mahavishnu Orchestra. I could go on, and on but that's a start for now.
When you released your 1st album, S O L A R, did you have any goals set while you were making it?
To be honest, I figured if I wanted to be taken seriously, I'd need to have a CD. I was hoping it would lead to more gigs, which it has. Of course, I wanted it to be good while being recorded and produced with as little hassle as possible. I wanted it recorded like a live gig and not sound over produced like so many other CDs.
What inspired the song "Nun" or "Chillin'"?
"Nun" was a melody that I wrote in the style of Thelonius Monk (Get it? Monk, Nun?) which means it's very syncopated and dissonant. Basically, it's kind of weird which is usually good. "Chillin" was something I wrote while playing my Mom's piano. I thought it had some nice sounding chords yet had some syncopated rhythmic things happening.
What is your favorite PST song cover or original in your lineup?
It's certainly hard to pick a favorite. As far as covers go, I like playing Chick Corea's "Sea Journey" because it's something everyone can really stretch out on and it has a cool baseline. Also, Monk's "Well You Needn't" is fun because it can go so many different directions. As far as my originals, I like "Mellow Tune" because it's a great tune (in all modesty) and can also be played in so many ways. The last time we performed it, it wasn't very mellow at all, but that's OK. I like "Climbing Somewhere" because it has a lot of energy. I hope the more my music gets played (I have a lot of tunes that haven't even been performed yet) the better they will get.
What does the future hold in store for PST?
Well, the main thing that I've been working on has been the new CD. It's tentatively called "Climbing Somewhere," although I still have time to change my mind. This will be the CD I'm really going to push as far as getting airplay, reviews, sales, and possible touring opportunities. It will have all original compositions (written by yours truly), so it's something that I'm really proud of. I was happy the way my first CD came out, but this is more of a unique statement, I think. At least for me, in order to do all the work to promote a CD, it has to be something I really believe in; otherwise I won't be motivated enough to do the work. I hope this new CD will lead to bigger and better things.
You are also the drummer for the jazz fusion instrumental rock band Rare Blend, how does that differ from PST?
Well, it's more on the rock end of things, which is fun too. Rare Blend has done a fair amount of writing as a group, which I like. Someone will have an idea and play it; then someone else will think of something based on what the other person played. So we can come up with a song that nobody would have written by themselves which is kind of cool. Rare Blend also has regular members, which makes it easier to work up original songs. I think the band has a group sound, which is rare these days. It is good to be a part of that.
What inspires you to write in this multi-genre?
It's hard to say. I like so many different kinds of music, so I think that certainly influences how I write. (How's that for an answer that doesn't really answer the question?)
Give us a Rare Blend favorite that you most enjoy performing.
Maybe "Lost 7/8" because it has a lot of energy yet because the arrangement is pretty tricky, I still have to really pay attention no matter how many times I play it.
Where could a fan catch one of your performances or find more info on either group?
Well, I'll attach a schedule here. Also, the websites for the two groups are www.paulstranahan.com www.rareblend.net .
I really appreciate you taking out the time in your busy schedule to answer some questions for us. Are there any last comments you'd like to make?
I'd just like to thank you for doing this interview with me. And of course, I hope people support both groups and live music in general. I can only speak for myself, but I know when I experience a creative moment in the arts (be it a music performance, listening to a CD, reading a great book, seeing a wonderful movie or play, looking at a fine work of art), it makes me feel glad to be alive and more aware of the possibilities and the beauty of life in general. For me, being a part of the creative arts (music being my main interest) just makes life more exciting. I hope more people can experience this feeling. I think the world would be a better place if that could happen. Take care and thanks again.
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