Guest Artist: Paul Hanson, bassoon

Artist Biography

Over the last 25 years, Paul has rewritten the rulebook and put this most classical of woodwind instruments in a new light. As one reviewer puts it: "Paul plays at the very highest level surpassing almost anyone's conception and ability on one of the most unforgiving instruments - ever. Over the past decade, Hanson has brought the double reed instrument into areas where it's seldom, if ever, gone before, combining a commanding improvisational sensibility with funk, classical, and world music influences." Whether performing acoustically with string quartets and other chamber groups or full-on electric with fusion masters-Paul is always exploring new genres for the instrument.

Paul has toured, recorded, and/or performed with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Billy Cobham, Jon Batiste at Carnegie Hall, Wayne Shorter, Peter Erskine, with 6-string bassist Ariane Cap in the group OoN, Billy Childs, Billy Higgins, David Binney, Ray Charles, Charlie Hunter, David Balakrishnan, Patrice Rushen, Alex Acuna, Dennis Chambers, Abraham Laboriel, Medeski Martin & Wood, Bob Weir’s RATDOG, Jeff Coffin, Jeff Sipe, Jonas Hellborg, Afro/Cuban pianist Omar Sosa, Bob Moses, Kai Eckhardt, Peter Apfelbaum, Paul Dresher Ensemble, DAVKA, St. Joseph Ballet Company, The Klezmorim, jazz soloist with the Oakland Eastbay Symphony Orchestra, classical soloist with the Napa Symphony Orchestra.

Paul was invited to create his own role as an electric improvising bassoonist in Cirque Du Soleil’s ZED at Tokyo Disney Resort from 2008-2012.

Paul has appeared at music festivals worldwide. He has given masterclasses at numerous worldwide universities-all specializing in modern performance techniques and improvisation for bassoonists and other classical instrumentalists. Paul was an assistant bassoon professor at Ithaca College in 2004. Paul often appears at IDRS conventions as a clinician and has written several books on improvisation and technique for double reed players.