Paul Jost is a multi-instrumentalist and composer whose vocal style makes him a standout. When describing this unique vocalist and arranger, two thoughts are shared by critics and contemporaries; “Passionate storyteller” and “One of the best male jazz vocalists since Mark Murphy.”
Paul and his quartet (Jim Ridl-piano, Dean Johnson-bass and Tim Horner-drums) have performed throughout France and Belgium and were selected by the U.S. State Dept’s American Music Abroad series to represent jazz in Pakistan and Lebanon.
He’s performed in guest spots with Joe Locke, Orin Evans, Dena Derose and Houston Person and heard throughout the U.S. in New York at 55 Bar, Blue Note, Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center, Mezzrow, Birdland, Smoke, Zinc Bar, North Square, Kitano and Maureen’s; in Los Angeles at Vitello’s, The G Spot and Crypto Jazz Festival in Newport Beach; in Philadelphia at Chris’ Jazz Café, South Jazz Kitchen, and at one of his favorite haunts, the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap. He also performs in worldwide jazz festivals such as Pohang (South Korea), Limerick (Ireland) and in the U.S. at Exit Zero, COTA, and The Rochester and Pittsburgh International Jazz Festivals.
Jim Ridl is a pianist, composer, arranger and educator and resides in New Jersey. He performs internationally, nationally, and locally, with the Jim Ridl Trio and Quintet, the Dave Liebman Big Band, in duet with Diane Monroe, the Denis DiBlasio Quintet, the JD Walter Quartet, the Ant Farm Quartet and the Manhattan Bones.
Jim has 5 critically acclaimed cd releases: Your Cheatin’ Heart and Other Works (2005) with Ron Kerber, JD Walter, Steve Varner, Jim Miller and Jef Lee Johnson on the Dreambox Media Label ((more on this recording); Door In a Field (2003, DBM); Jim Ridl Trio/Live (2001, DBM); Blues Liberations - solo piano (2000, DBM); and Five Minutes to Madness and Joy (1999, Synergy). more info on these recordings
Jim’s current compositional projects are Sol Llena Suite (Spanish influenced pieces for clarinet, voice, violin, guitar, piano, bass, drums and percussion); a new interpretation of Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata for piano; arrangements of classic children’s beginning piano pieces for various ensembles; an art song cycle Songs of the Green River for voice and piano; arrangements of Czech and Norwegian folk songs for small orchestra; a piano concerto for youth...
As an educator, Jim has taught piano for over 25 years and maintains a private studio of 10 advanced students. He has conducted piano master classes at schools and universities, including the University of the Arts (Philadelphia, PA), Metropolitan State College (Denver, CO) and the University of Toledo (the Art Tatum Scholarship Artist in Residence).
Jim’s ten-year tenure with jazz guitar legend Pat Martino received many critically acclaimed reviews of performances around the world and produced 3 outstanding recordings. Jim’s inventive arrangement of the Sonny Rollins' classic Oleo can be heard on the Grammy-nominated release ”Pat Martino Live at Yoshi’s” with Joey DeFrancesco and Billy Hart. Jim’s composition Sun On My Hands can be heard on Martino’s Grammy-nominated release “Think Tank” in duet with Gonzalo Rubalcaba.
Jim is a member of the Dave Liebman Big Band, whose recording Beyond the Line is on the Omnitone label. (Jim also can be heard on vocalist JD Walter's collaboration with Liebman, Clear Day on Doubletime.)
Jim has also performed and recorded extensively with baritone saxophonist, Denis DiBlasio. They have recorded 5 CDs together, including Duets and Rhino on Encounter Records, and have performed most major jazz festivals and venues in the region.
Dean Johnson In the last few years Dean has performed and recorded with numerous groups including the Paul Jost Quartet, various projects with Roseanna Vitro, Bill Mays, Kendra Shank, Hayes Greenfield, and in special concerts with jazz artists Fred Hersch, Jane Ira Bloom and Art Lande. He also performs regularly with pipa virtuoso Min Xiao-Fen and guitarist Steve Salerno in the Blue Pipa Trio, performing their eclectic combination of jazz, bluegrass and Chinese folk songs. As bassist for vocalist Roseanna Vitro, Dean has performed as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador in the Balkans, Kazahkstan and Kyrgystan, as well as a live recording at the Kennedy Center featuring pianist Kenny Werner, and a recording project celebrating the music of Randy Newman featuring Mark Soskin that was nominated for a Grammy. He has performed, recorded and toured for over six years with vibraphonist Mark Sherman and a quartet including drummer Tim Horner and pianist Allen Farnham.
Born in Seattle, Washington, in 1956, Dean studied Bass Violin with a number of bassists, including the renowned Gary Peacock. Dean also studied piano and composition at the Cornish Institute, in Seattle, with James Knapp and from 1974 to 1976, attended the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, studying with bassists Rich Appleman, John Neves, and studying theory, composition, and arranging with John LaPorta and Herb Pomeroy.