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Paul Hannah

Percussive Artist, Drummer, Composer, Arranger, Author, Creative Force

About Me

Paul Hannah has been playing professionally since the age of sixteen. Growing up in Las Vegas, NV, he had the honor of learning his craft from the legendary drummers and percussionists of Vegas – Jerry Gilgor, Tommy Check, Leo Camera, Roger Rampton, Walfredo de los Reyes, Mark Barnett, John Abraham, Howard Agster and others.

Later attending the New England Conservatory of Music as a student of Vic Firth and attaining the Artist’s Diploma from the Hartt School of Music and Alexander Lepak, Paul also studied drums with Alan Dawson and master NYC session percussionist Dave Carey.

Immediately after graduating from Hartt, Paul began touring with Broadway show tours of Sondhiem’s “Into the Woods” closely followed by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats”. He freelanced for years in CT and NY and performed for every type of gig there is – from symphonic percussion to small group and big band jazz, bar bands, club dates, pops concerts, rock and roll, country, funk/R&B/blues as both drummer and percussionist.

For the last twenty years, Paul has worked primarily as a drummer/percussionist for Broadway touring productions all over the USA, Canada, Japan and China. Highlights include “West Side Story” in Tokyo, “Jesus Christ Superstar” with Ted Neeley and Corey Glover, “Wicked”, “An American in Paris” and “Spamalot”.

Paul also records with his jazz trio, fusion band, solo percussion works, various Neo-Soul/R&B projects and his own big band.

He is the author of “An Expert’s Guide to Theatre and Touring” published by Meredith Music/GIA Publications.

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My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it provides the opportunity to spontaneously create and share in the birthing of something that didn't exist prior to being brought forth by the musicians. Jazz allows me to be fully present and fully myself in the moment and to freely create.

My House Concert Story

In 1998 while living in CT, I put together and presented "The Creative Innovation Music Festival" at the library performance space in Fairfield, CT. We had three bands perform live that evening - The Scott Sherwood Trio (jazz guitar trio), The Jackie Martino Band (singer/songwriter with trio) & Factor5 (my Jazz Fusion Band). We advertised via posters, word-of-mouth and my friend Phil Bowler invited me to appear on his WPKN radio show "Jazz Adventures." We had enough of a paying audience ($10 a ticket) to cover the hall expenses, pay every musician and the sound guy and even sold some CDs. We managed to do all that in the days BEFORE social media!!! I look forward to putting together more CIMFs now that I have the opportunity to focus my energies on my own music and creative efforts after a successful 20 year career as a touring musician bringing other peoples' music to life.