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Paul Dunmall

On his return to the UK he worked with folk musicians Polly Bolton/Kevin Dempsey and groupings worked around the Dando Shaft band. In 1979 he became a founder member of the jazz group Spirit Level with pianist Tim Richards plus playing free improvised music with the Nigel Morris trio. At this time also Paul played in the London Improvised music scene.

In 1985 the group Tenor Tonic was formed with Alan Skidmore, Tony Levin and Paul Rogers. In 1987 Paul joined the London Jazz Composers Orchestra lead by Barry Guy and joined Danny Thompson's Folk/Jazz hybrid Whatever. The following year the outstanding collective quartet Mujician was formed with Keith Tippett, Tony Levin, Paul Rogers.

Whilst playing in these groups Paul was also still playing in many ad hoc groups plus playing in several of Elton Deans ensembles. Since 2000 Paul is still freelancing and has been playing in the composer's Brian Irvine's 14 piece band.

In 2003 Brian was commissioned by the BBC to write a full orchestral piece with freely improvised saxophone, a long time dream of Paul's. In 2000 Paul set up his own improvised music record label with Philip Gibbs called Duns Limited Edition. It brought musicians together to improvise from many different traditions such as classical/folk/ethnic and to date has 52 releases.

Elton Dean: Elton Dean's Unlimited Saxophone Company

Read "Elton Dean's Unlimited Saxophone Company" reviewed by Chris May

by Chris May
June 2, 2024

A vitally important platform for apartheid-era expatriate South African musicians, Ogun Records was founded in London in 1973 by the bassist Harry Miller, then in self-exile from South Africa, and his wife, Hazel Miller. Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza, Johnny Dyani and Louis Moholo were among those recording with Ogun in the 1970s under their own names or as members of bands such as Isipingo and McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath. Alongside the South Africans, and often performing with them, ...

Album Review

Paul Dunmall: Bright Light A Joyous Celebration

Read "Bright Light A Joyous Celebration" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
April 23, 2024

While the opener suggests a blowing session from veteran British saxophonist Paul Dunmall, as good as that promises to be, the reality is better still. Joining him is a starry cast drawn from succeeding generations, with the addition of American drummer Hamid Drake. With the drummer touring in the UK. Dunmall took the opportunity to renew a friendship that stretches back almost two decades, one first heard on the fiery Peace And Joy (Slam, 2006). Alongside them in the studio ...

Album Review

Paul Dunmall / Olie Brice: The Laughing Stone

Read "The Laughing Stone" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
October 12, 2023

Reedman Paul Dunmall and bassist Olie Brice have collaborated on many occasions, with Palindromes (West Hill Records, 2020) and John Coltrane 50th Memorial Concert At Cafe Oto (Confront, 2019) only the most recent offerings. They supplement that tally with The Laughing Stone, a studio duet captured in November 2021 in Birmingham, England. Now one of the elder statesmen of the British scene, the prolific Dunmall has appeared alongside luminaries ranging from Evan Parker to William Parker and many more ...

Radio & Podcasts

New Releases Including Paul Dunmall Plus A Tribute To Peter Brötzmann

by Bob Osborne
July 27, 2023

On this show we feature new album releases from Paul Dunmall, Dan Pitt, Patrick Golden with Jim Clouse & Adam Lane, Alex Coke & Carl Michel, Doug McDonald, Altin Sencalar, David Helbock, Jason Kao Hwang, Aki Rissanen, and, Tyshawn Sorey. In addition, we mark the passing of Peter Brötzmann with three selections from his extensive music catalogue.Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Paul Dunmall “The Beauty In You" from New Quartet : World Without (577 Records) 01:01 Dan Pitt Trio ...

Album Review

Paul Dunmall / Paul Rogers / Tony Orrell: That's My Life

Read "That's My Life" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
May 10, 2023

Contrary to the title, That's My Life is not a career retrospective for iconoclastic British reedman Paul Dunmall. In fact it hails from the archives, a live date from Bristol recorded way back in 1989. On being asked about this set in a radio program in 2023 honoring his upcoming 70th birthday, Dunmall commented that it sounded like a different person compared to how he played now, albeit one who was still quite accomplished, but who used a lot more ...

Album Review

Paul Dunmall Quintet: Yes Tomorrow

Read "Yes Tomorrow" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
September 30, 2022

Veteran British saxophonist Paul Dunmall helms a crew of talented graduates from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Yes Tomorrow. It's the second time they have appeared on disc with him in a unit as all four were part of the sextet responsible for Cosmic Dream Projection (FMR, 2021). While renowned as a peerless free improviser, Dunmall also composes, here presenting eight original compositions. Even though the majority incorporate accessible riff-based heads, sometimes evoking the spiritual jazz of his one-time employer ...

Album Review

Paul Dunmall & Mark Sanders: Unity

by John Sharpe
July 10, 2021

In spite of a decades long association, Unity constitutes only the second time British reed icon Paul Dunmall has appeared on disc in tandem with drummer Mark Sanders. And on the earlier occasion, Pipe And Drum (FMR, 2012), Dunmall restricted himself entirely to bagpipes of various species, so this outing is notable as the first documentation of the pair together on their primary instruments. The union of two of the country's premier improvisers doesn't disappoint. Dunmall increasingly wears ...

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