Paul Ryan is a freelance writer and jazz aficionado.
I first started getting into jazz when I was in high school, when I played second trumpet in
the jazz orchestra. It also helped that my Dad had a decent collection of jazz records that
I was able to acquaint myself with. Miles Davis' electric period was the first real
improvised music that I began listening to, in particular the album Bitches Brew.
From there my listening (and purchasing) habits seemed to take off and before I knew it I
was hooked. My CD collection grew substantially. Also, I became fascinated in the history
of the music. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in History in June of 2004, from the
University of Winnipeg.
In late 2004, I was lucky enough to meet bassist Steve Kirby (the Director of Jazz Studies at
the University of Manitoba), who encouraged me to pursue my passion for jazz, and also
gave me an outlet to express myself in writing (dig! magazine).
