About Paul
Paul Abler grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, a city adjacent to Detroit that is not only known for automobiles but also some of the world's greatest Jazz musicians such as Hank, Thad & Elvin Jones.
Paul's first contact with Jazz was as a child when his Grandfather would practice his drums to the recordings of Stan Getz, Dave Brubeck and Duke Ellington, leaving a lasting impression on him.
"I loved music from the time I was born. I refused to go anywhere without taking my Mother's records. I always knew I would become a musician. I settled on the Guitar after I heard Jimi Hendrix. Previous to this I wanted a Saxophone or a Bass. Hendrix led me to all The King's (B. B., Albert and Freddy) and my first jobs were playing Blues, Funk and R&B. I later worked backing many Motown Legends and did sessions with some of the Funk Brothers (Johnny Griffith, Pistol Allen, Joe Hunter) and Motown arranger David Van dePitte. I really wanted to play Jazz after I discovered Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter. My main Jazz influences have not been Guitarists. Other influences include McCoy Tyner, Ravel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Burt Bacharach and Frank Zappa."
Continuing his education Paul moved to Los Angeles in 1982 and studied with Joe Diorio, Carl Schroeder, Ron Eschete and many others at Musicians Institute (Guitar Institute of Technology). He would later move to Boston and study improvisation with Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi in 1988.
Paul returned to Detroit in 1990 and immediately started working with many of Detroit's great musicians such as Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney, James Carter, David McMurray, Roy Brooks, Straight Ahead, Leonard King and others. He also began leading his own groups featuring musicians such as Bobby Battle, Craig Taborn, Jaribu Shahid, Gerald Cleaver, Marion Hayden, William Evans among others.
During that time, Paul recorded his debut album "Goin' Up" for the Red Car label which was released to enthusiastic reviews. Two additional recordings for Equnioxmansion followed: "Lost Generation"(1998) and "In The Marketplace" (1999).These releases enabled Paul to perform outside of USA including Canada and Europe.
In 1996 Paul began composing for Film and Television. His first project was a short film for Learnshare -a division of Owens Corning and was quickly followed by placement of his compositions in music libraries. This led to his association with Transition Music.
In July 2003, Paul Abler relocated to New York City, where he quickly gained headway in the NYC music scene. Since arriving he has performed and/or recorded with Cindy Blackman, Jack Wilkins, Howard Alden, Harvie S, Roni Ben-Hur, Joe Lee Wilson, Carlton Holmes, Dwayne Burno, Allen Farnham, Tomoko Ohno, Yusef Lateef, Les Paul, Mingus Dynasty, Mingus Orchestra, David Murray, Arthur Blythe, Jack Walrath, Steve Lacy, Ted Curson, Eddie Harris, Ugonna Okegwo, Dion Parson, Ted Rosenthal, Daoud David Williams, Charles Davis and Brazilian vocalist Yashmin Charnet, whom he married in May of 2004.
Paul also started his association with Chesky Records film / TV division - Manhattan Production Music with three projects: Jazz Trio, Bossa Nova & Ballads.
CD "Fearless" featuring Cindy Blackman-Santanna, Marion Hayden & Carlton Holmes on the Bossa Nova Music label was released in 2008.
The Last Brahma is a collection of eight original compositions in a duet with the fantastic piano player James Weidman, also on Bossa Nova Music.
The follow up CD a "Patch of Burgundy" is Paul Abler and James Weidman with special Guests Jack Walrath, Harvie S and Jed Levy.
Paul's latest project is a sextet "Looks Like March" is to be released in March of 2017 with more original music featuring James Weidman, John Fedchock, Harvie S, Mark Sherman and Leonard King.
A Guitarist with chops to burn and the harmonic knowledge to make sure
the notes don't go to waste. Detroit Free Press - Mark Stryker
Film & TV Music
Paul Abler has composed extensively for Film and Television and directly for music libraries. His compositions can be heard on a variety of Television programs such as Madam Secretary, The Affair, The Leftovers, Breaking Bad, Smash, The Big Bang Theory, Mad Men, Don't Trust The B... in Apt 23, Shameless, Playing House, 20/20, Every Woman, Global Business People,ABC's NBA Inside Stuff, Recipe TV, Beautiful Homes, Great Estates and feature films such as Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine (the sound track is available on SONY) , The Two Mr. Kissels.
Recent projects have been for Manhattan Production Music/Chesky Records. Titles include Jazz Trio, Ballads, Bossa Nova Jazz, Jazz Duets, Jazz Trios and Midnight on 7th Avenue. . Paul has a variety of music that is ready for licensing and can also provide custom music for projects.
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Obituary:
PAUL JAMES Musician and Composer, from Saginaw, Michigan passed away on March 3, 2017 in Livingston, NJ. Paul was born April 3, 1957 and was an accomplished Jazz and Blues guitarist. Paul is survived by his mother Corrine, wife Yashmin, and step-children, Leonardo, and his wife Laura, and Mariana and her husband Bill. He was also blessed with four grandchildren, Tyler, Brandon, Acadia and Anthony. He is predeceased by his father 'Big' Paul Abler and his sister Laurie Abler. Paul was a celebrated member of the Detroit Jazz community and a prolific composer, producing over twenty Jazz albums. He composed and performed music for films, including "Blue Jasmine" and "The Two Mr. Kissels," and television, with an extensive list of credits, including "Madam Secretary," "Breaking Bad," "20/20," "The Big Bang Theory" and "Mad Men." Most recently, Paul was finishing a sextet "Looks Like March". His last act was composing the song "Ascending." For more information on Paul's music and life, visit his website www.paulabler.com. The service will take place on Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 9AM to 1PM at Shook's Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009, shookscedargrove.com. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Laurie Abler Art Scholarship in Waterford, Michigan. Please mail donations to: Waterford Mott High School, 1151 Scott Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48328.