Paul Broadnax

Paul Broadnax began his professional career in 1946 working with baritone sax player Joe Perry, the brother of Ray Perry who was one of the top jazz violinists of the 1940's. Broadnax also had a trio in the late 1940's which entertained troops at the Roxbury, MA USO. But even before then, Broadnax was in the Special Services branch of the US Army during WWII where he worked with pianist Donn Trenner. Fifty years later, Trenner was to become the musical director for Broadnax's album Here's to Joe, a tribute to Joe Williams. Broadnax comes from a musical family. His uncle, Joe Lee, was a stride pianist and his parents were classically trained singers. Although Broadnax studied music during his youth, it was in mechanical engineering that he received a degree from Northeastern University. Over the years, there have been appearances at clubs, festivals and concerts in and around the New England area including stints at Sculler Jazz Club and stints at jazz festivals in Brockton and Winthrop, Maine and at Portsmouth, NH. In 1992, Broadnax performed at Lionel Hampton's festival in Moscow, Idaho. His trio had a regular program on the ABC TV station affiliate in Boston during the 1960's. Broadnax cites Nat "King" Cole and Lester Young as stylistic influences. Like Cole, he accompanies himself on piano. Broadnax recorded his first album as a leader - It's about Time - for Brownstone Recordings in 1994. His tribute album to Joe Williams came out in 1996. Broadnax and Williams not only had similar styles, but were friends. up to the latter's untimely death. Another album Strike up the Band is scheduled for release at the end of 1999. He has also appeared on albums by Greg Abate, Monica Hatch and the Ken Hadley Big Band. Blessed with a smooth silky baritone in the mold of Joe...