Paul Andrew Roberts has been performing in Kansas City since the mid-80's. Having an extensive interest in various forms of music and media, Paul attended UMKC's Conservatory of Music studying both the trombone and music composition.
In the early 90’s Paul left UMKC and joined the US Marines. While serving our country, he found gigs in the cities he was near. He led several music ensembles during these years even though he was just a corporal.
In the mid 90’s, Paul returned to UMKC to earn his degree in Music Compostion, studying with Gerald Kemner. He also traveled to Warsaw, Poland to teach at the Fredrik Chopin Academy's summer jazz camp. He studied trombone with Roger Oyster (principle trombone Kansas City Symphony), and subbed for the symphony on bass trombone.
In 2001 Paul was stationed in Atlanta and while there he performed in local clubs in Buckhead and East Point as well as receiving an Army Achievement Medal for piano solo work and an Army Commendation medal for composing and arranging nearly 100 works including an 18 minute suite of music from "The Fellowship of the Ring" for concert band.
He met some talented band members after being transferred to upstate New York, and formed "The Red Herrings" with his wife Rachel on vocals. After finishing with the Army, Paul returned to Kansas City and resumed gigging around town and providing arrangements for several local bands. Look for his arrangement of "The Search For Peace" performed by the Boulevard Big Bard with Pete Christleib on tenor sax on the band's latest CD.
Joining forces with saxophonist Rich Wheeler, bassist Craig Akin (now in NYC) and drummer Tim Cambron; formed "Topshelf Toons", a new jazz ensemble that only performs the music of local composers, including unrecorded material by local greats such as Pat Metheny. To date the group has performed at several jazz clubs and made a radio appearance on KANU.
Paul joined Ida McBeth's band, splitting keyboard duties with Charles Williams, performing constantly around the KC area. He also resumed to the Kansas City Chiefs' "Pack Band" as keyboardist and arranger.
Paul played with the Fountain City Brass Band as the ensemble's bass trombonist. While only a few years old, the ensemble has gone on to win first place at the US Open in 2007 and placed well on its first invitation to a championship in England. Having not enough free time to stay with the group Paul left the ensemble in 2008.
2008 was a busy year for Paul. He went from teaching at BRC Audio, to performing with the fusion-sax legend, Ronnie Laws, to writing a two hour Horse Show piece for a 20 piece band with a number of other writers.
Paul is now composing and arranging for a number of short films and providing arrangements for local groups. From time to time he even gets to write something for himself!
To find out more about Paul, visit: www.pualrobertsmusic.com
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