Paul Speare Music

29/12/2024

Hello People

I was interviewed a while back by Jack Hodgins for his Vinyl Vibes series. It was done via Zoom (hence the sketchy sound quality). If you have a spare hour it may be of interest. It covers some old ground but also what I've been up to more recently.

Wishing you all good things for 2025!

On this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by Paul Speare, former saxophonist of Dexys Midnight Runners. Paul started playing music at the age of 15 and never stopped. While working as a music teacher in Birmingham, Paul frequently did session work at a local recording studio called Outlaw Studi...

31/12/2023

Hello to all the followers of this page, and welcome to those who've recently joined.

I'd like to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

2023 was a busy one for me with a new EP - In Search of Avet - written and produced, the Anniversary Remasters of the first EP - Time and Place - released, plus the instrumental version of Ephemeral. In addition, for other people, I was commissioned to write 27 horn arrangements for a soul band, and also to record a number of flute parts for a musical production in Stockton-on-Tees. There were also the live performances at PizzaExpress Live and Herne Bay Jazz & Swing Fest, the first ever playing all my own material.

I'd like to thank the musicians, engineers and others who've all made great contributions to my work this year:
Flo Moore, Hilary Cameron, Ginger Bennett, Simon Golding, Jonathan Ward, Andee Birkett, Shaun Griffith, Rosie Tompsett, Martin Bloor, Rachel Threlfall, Julian Whitfield at Space Sequoia, Ed Deegan at Gizzard, Kai Hoffman at Herne Bay Jazz & Swing Fest, Lee at 2 Tone - Before, During & After for the feature, and billzinho for airing my tunes on Mixcloud!

And thanks to all of you for taking the interest to follow this page, and everyone who has supported me by buying the music, coming to the shows, or otherwise just giving your encouragement and sharing posts - it's much appreciated!

I'm formulating ideas now for a new project in 2024 and will, of course, release details here first.

Thanks
Paul
https://paulspeare.bandcamp.com/

04/12/2023

Just released on Bandcamp and all the usual streaming platforms.

03/12/2023

Hello again

Today I've released an instrumental version of Ephemeral which is something I've been meaning to do for a while. It features alto flute taking the main melody with the track and string arrangement from the original.

It's on Bandcamp and now starting to pop up on the usual streaming channels.

Enjoy!

track by Paul Speare

20/09/2023

Hello again, Music Lovers

It's been a month since the band's joyful appearance at Herne Bay Jazz & Swing Fest and I've been taking some time out after a busy few months of writing, recording and rehearsing.

"So what's happening next, Paul?", I hear you cry. Well, my first EP "Time and Place" was released nearly a year ago and I've begun work on remastering the four tracks for release as "The Anniversary Remasters" in October. I recently changed to a new distribution service so would have to re-release them anyway and thought it would be a good opportunity to make a few tweaks before doing so.

Looking to the future, I've begun to formulate ideas for a new project and will keep you informed as it develops.

Until then...

21/08/2023

We had a blast at Herne Bay Jazz Festival yesterday! The weather was perfect and there was a great crowd.

Some of us stayed on until the end to see all the other superb bands which followed: Jim Mullen, Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio, Claire Martin (with the amazing Jason Rebello on piano), Lokkhi Terra and The Coal Miners.

An amazing event which was all due to the tireless commitment of Kai Hoffman and her team of volunteers!

Picture by Jean Marshall

09/08/2023

Delighted that *Kenny* is being played tonight on BBC Radio Kent!

04/08/2023

"Ephemeral" was played on Upload on BBC Radio Kent last night. Fantastic comments by Leo Ulph, with well deserved compliments on the vocal performance of Hilary Cameron!

Here's a Soundcloud link to the track and comments.

Leo Ulph plays "Ephemeral" on BBC Radio Kent with very complimentary comments! "Ephemeral" is a jazz ballad - written, arranged and produced my myself - featuring vocals by Hilary Cameron. String qu

02/08/2023

Thanks to billzinho for including In Search of Avet in his latest Mixcloud show! Bill's monthly show features a refreshing selection of great new jazz, hip hop and latin releases and I'm flattered to be included. Here's to "Jazz Mates" Bill!

Billzinho has pulled together a fresh selection of jazz and other brand new releases that have got stuck in his head these past four weeks. From the streets of East London to the valleys of Wales and well beyond, these tunes will put some sunshine in your summer.

26/07/2023

The new EP, In Search of Avet, is now available to stream from all the usual channels, and much sooner than expected (great work, Tunecore!)

https://open.spotify.com/album/01qJssuvqsTprTNN1YVQNd?si=MKs-JCo8TP2zarMWgCdZ6Q

https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-search-of-avet-ep/1699222712

https://tidal.com/browse/album/307087206

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mIfydGKL36XakRnSHMKbZqNf5v4cSi86w&feature=share

A new music service with official albums, singles, videos, remixes, live performances and more for Android, iOS and desktop. It's all here.

26/07/2023

Today sees the initial release of my new EP, In Search of Avet, on Bandcamp. The other streaming services should follow within a few days.

One of the many things I like about Bandcamp is having space to properly credit the musicians and other contributors, and also to write some background to each track as there's usually a bit of a story behind all my tunes!

I set myself more challenges than on the previous EP, with arrangements for string quartet and brass section, and some unconventional chord structures and melodies. I write and produce whatever comes into my head rather than thinking commercially and have definitely pushed the boat out with some of the experimentation; I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

As followers of this page, you're among the first to hear about the release. Feel free just to listen to the tracks or, if so inclined, to support my work further by buying the EP or individual tracks as a download.

Thanks to the wonderful musicians who, as ever, exceeded my expectations:
Hilary Cameron (keyboards, vocals), Ginger Bennett (vocals), Simon Golding (guitar), Flo Moore (bass), Jonathan Ward (drums), Shaun Griffith (trumpet), Rosie Tompsett (violin), Martin Bloor (viola), Rachel Threlfall (cello).

I hope you enjoy it!

4 track album

15/07/2023

Looking forward to taking part in this show with Lou Fowkes! We'll be talking about Herne Bay Jazz Festival and playing some of my tracks including a new unreleased one from the forthcoming EP.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=766706528790149&id=100063524261970

After a brilliant night in the studio yesterday with trombonist Geoff Mason (did you catch the show?), next week Lou is delighted to welcome saxophonist, flutist and clarinet player Paul Speare!

Aside from his own compilations, Paul has worked with some real industry greats, including Paul Weller and Elvis Costello AND was an original member of the infamous Birmingham band Dexys Midnight Runners playing on the album Too-Rye-Ay (1982) as well as the singles: 'Come On Eileen', 'Jackie Wilson Said' and 'The Celtic Soul Brothers.'

Paul is delighted to be part of the line-up for the Herne Bay Jazz & Swing Fest taking place on the 19 & 20th August. So make sure you catch 'Lou's Rhythm & Blues Show' next Thursday from 7pm, when she'll be playing some of Paul's songs and having a good old chat about...well...anything and everything....