Paul Stranahan - Jazz & Fusion Music

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

He leads three different groups: the Paul Stranahan Trio (PST), the Paul Stranahan Trio with Guest Vocalist Ki Allen, and Paul Stranahan’s Insomnia (PSI). The instrumentation is usually guitar, bass and drums. All groups strive for a creative, interactive style but in different ways.

The PST plays jazz standards, some jazz-rock-fusion and original compositions. The band has two CDs. One is called “Climbing Somewhere” which features eleven songs all written by Paul. Some songs are more in the straight ahead jazz vein and some others are more on the fusion side. The other CD is called “Solar” and has seven jazz standards and two originals by Paul. PST can also add vocalist Ki Allen to give the group a different sound. Ki has the ability to charm an audience and at the same time perform as a true musician's vocalist.

The newest group is Paul Stranahan’s Insomnia (PSI). It is an offshoot of the Trio and is dedicated to adventuresome, all original compositions. It will mix everything from free form avant-garde to progressive rock to jazz-fusion and whatever else it wants to on any given night. It is currently recording and mixing a new CD. It will feature Jeremy Bleich on bass and Chris Bober on guitar on most of the songs. Mike Barna and Jeff Charmek play guitar on an additional two songs. The latter have also teamed up with Paul in the band Broadview Collective and released a self titled CD in 2005.

The Paul Stranahan Trio

Paul was interviewed by WCLV 104.9 FM's John Simna on Sun. May 18^th. 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.

Artists Who Have Performed in the Trio:

Ki Allen - Vocalist
An encounter with singer Ki Allen is nothing less than extraordinary. She has the uncanny ability to charm an audience and at the same time perform as a musician's vocalist. Whether musician, jazz or blues enthusiast, Allen will always show you something new about the music you love. Allen constanly challenges herself. Her range is ever expanding and her phrasing poetic. Through performances in live concerts, television, and night clubs, Allen has developed a sophisticated following of devoted fans.

Bob Fraser - Guitar
B.S.E.E. degree Case Institute of Technology. Adjunct Faculty:
University of Akron, Cleveland State University. Played on Maureen McGovern's "The Morning After". Performed with the Cleveland Orchestra under Pierrie Boulez and Christoph Von Dohnányi.Theatre orchestra musician for State,Palace, Hanna, Cleveland Playhouse. Performed with Luciano Pavarotti. Jazz performances with Maria Schneider, Pat Pace, Bill Dobbins, Chip Stephens, Howie Smith, Grover Washington, Marion McPartland. Played on numerous radio and TV ads, Kitchen Aid, Mayflower Movers, American Electric Power, General Electric. Published with Jim Kalal by Mel Bay, "Yuletide Gathering".

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
Aidan Plank has studied acoustic bass at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, with Dave Morgan, principal composer for the Jazz Unit, and Kevin Switalski, the assistant principal bassist of the Cleveland Orchestra. He has performed with numerous orchestras in the Ohio area, the Jazz Unit, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. He has also done a lot of freelance work with a wide variety of musicians.

Kip Reed - Bass
Kip Reed has toured extensively in Europe and Asia w/ Tania Maria from 1990 to 1994, Donna Summer and many other jazz and Brazilian Artists. He has performed and/or recorded w/Charlie Rouse, James Moody, Mulgrew Miller, Joe Lavono, Jack McDuff, Steve Slagel, Vic Juris, Jamey Haddad, Babel Gilberto, Joyce, Leni Andrade, Ivan Lins. He has performed on a number of jingles, soundtracks and pop and R&B records for the Japanese, European and South American market. He has taught at Manhattan's Drummer's Collective for several years and generally workrd around New York playing gigs for 14 years until he has relocated to Cleveland recently.

Jeremy Bleich - Bass
Jeremy Bleich's (www.jeremybleich.com) approach to the bass has earned him a reputation as an innovator. His work with "birth" and his group "dhikr" have established him as one of the most creative players outside of New York City. He resides in Cleveland, Ohio where he is involved with presenting new music, as well as composing and teaching. He holds a degree in music composition from Cleveland State University. Jeremy is also an in demand side-man. He’s recorded for MCA Records with nashville singer/songwriter Jason White as well as playing on several independent releases. He performs oud and bass with the Santa Fe based group SAMA.

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
Daniel Bruce was the 2000 recipient of the Bowling Green State University Special Achievement Award, as well as numerous Music Talent Awards throughout his four years at the university. He was nominated to the 2000 Ohio All-State Intercollegiate Big Band, Convention Center. In August Mr. Bruce graduated with a Bachelor of Music Performance in jazz and classical guitar, and moved to the Cleveland area where he has been performing and teaching locally. He has performed at the Palace Theatre in a number of productions, including Jason Robert Brown's musical, "Parade". Mr. Bruce has also played in a number of local jazz venues such as the High and Dry and Club Isabella's.

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

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.