Paul Goade
b. 4 September 1965, Seattle, WA, USA. Composer, pianist and saxophonist Paul Goade began his musical career performing in elementary school and with local Seattle artists including saxophonist Clarence Cal.

Thank you!
"My Mom loves telling the story about how she carried my saxophone for me every day, all the way from home to Brighton Elementary in Seattle. The alto saxophone I was learning to play was bigger than me, so my Mom apparently had to carry it. So THANK YOU MOM! OK? :)"

"From 4th grade until senior year at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School, I was known as the 'sax guy'. I learned to read music, how to play with other people in bands, and exclusively played the saxophone at public events. However, when I came home, I loved playing the piano. As I learned to read and understand music from playing the saxophone, I applied that knowledge to the piano...all on my own. Reading sheet music became natural and my hands took over."

"I am so thankful to my parents for having a piano at home. Many people ask me, after enjoying listening to my music, how long I've been playing the piano or when/where did I take piano lessons. I love telling them how I taught myself how to play piano, but that the only reason I play today is because my parents had a piano at home. I believe it is important to introduce music to our children. One may be the next Mozart. One may be completely tone deaf or rhythm-less. You never know until you give them the opportunity - the experience of music."

Roots
Paul grew up in Rainier Valley, in the south end of Seattle. This multi-cultural upbringing provided Paul a solid, innate appreciation for people from diverse backgrounds and places.

"I remember reading about discrimination, prejudice, and other injustices at Sharples Junior High School when I was about 14 years old. I thought to myself, wow - our ancestors were clueless! I am so fortunate to live in a time and place where, as in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech, I am walking hand in hand with my friends - regardless of the color of their skin...that I see "little black boys and black girls"..."able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers". My family's house was a true cultural melting pot. It was a safe haven where everyone was accepted. Our friends were Pilipino, Japanese, African American, Chinese, Vietnamese, Caucasian American, Mexican, Asian American, Native North American, Jewish, Protestant, and Christian, etc., but we simply knew them as friends."

"Not much later in life, of course, I realized that not everyone was living the same dream. Hold on to your dreams and keep them alive!"

"Sharples Junior High School also introduced me to some outstanding, young musicians like Anthony Tibbs, Darren "Stubbs" Subblefield, Vorian Lewis, and Tommy "TT" Taylor. We would play popular R&B hits, such as McFadden and Whitehead's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now", but also popular Jazz instrumental classics like Chuck Mangione's "Feels So Good" and Grover Washington Jr.'s "Mr. Magic".

"Although I missed many of my closest friends who went on to Franklin High School (the old stomping grounds and roots of the then unknown, now incomparable Kenny G. just a few years before), when I went to John F. Kennedy Memorial High School, in Burien, Washington, I turned more towards traditional Jazz and started to show my piano prowess. I was in the choir, the Jazz choir, and the Jazz ensemble. Mr. Peyton introduced me to Dave Brubeck's Jazz classic "Take Five" (which I played with outstanding drummer/percussionist Mark "Animal" Fordham), and under the direction of Pat Butler, I realized that I was a piano player. I still remember riding a bus back from Pasco, Washington from one of our Jazz competitions and listening to a tape that Mr. Butler had recorded. I listened to this monster piano player kicking the crap out of this jazz piece. Wow! This guy is amazing! I said. When I found out it was me, I realized that I had found a new love. And the piano was it."

Composition
"I grew up listening to great R&B/Soul musicians of the late 60's / early 70's and 80's, including the amazing Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five (love you MJ!), The Ohio Players (remember the album covers?), The Commodores (yes kids, Nicole's Dad, Lionel), Sugarhill Gang, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (yes kids, a.k.a. Will Smith), Babyface, and so many more. There have been so many inspirational songwriters in these times. I started writing songs when I was about 14 years old. The melodies were simple, and the lyrics were all about love and romance. I still have a romantic side and I still believe in simple, memorable melodies. When I play live, my R&B roots are visible. When I kick out the first few bars of "Easy", people can't help but feel the driving soulful beat and clap along."

When I write current Smooth Jazz pieces, I always keep the saxophone in mind. The saxophone is my first true love, so I always hear the saxophone in my head - even if I'm composing on the piano. I often start an idea for a song with the simple saxophone melody first. "I Lost Your Love" was a perfect example of a simple, sad melody that first started in my head, I got home, played and recorded it on the saxophone, and then added piano later. But when I write my piano solos, I'm often in a dark, sad place. I often joked about my first album being entitled "Songs To Committ Suicide By", but I decided against it."

Inspiration
"Ray Charles taught me to love all music. Love all kinds of music. I had very narrow musical tastes (Jazz, R&B/Soul, Hip-Hop/Rap only) until my early years of college at Seattle University. I would listen to Friday Night Jazz on a local radio station with my brother. It was exciting "Jazz Fusion" music and it touched our souls. A frequent musician on the program, Kenny G., definitely inspired me to keep playing and writing."

"There are so many people creating wonderful music including Grover Washington, Jr., Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Najee, George Howard, David Sanborn, Paul Taylor, Boney James, Walter Beasley, Kenny G., Jimmy Sommers, Jeff Lorber, Joe Sample, George Winston, Deems, Jim Brickman, David Benoit and Stevie Wonder."

There are also many incredible local Seattle musicians who continue to inspire me at current events. These people "rock" Seattle! Big shouts out to:

• Darren Motamedy
• Tony Gable (and 206)
• Deems Tsutakawa
• Michael Powers

• I wore out the vinyl album "Winelight" playing the saxophone along with Grover Washington Jr. I love and miss you, Grover!
• I played along with Kenny G.'s early music and was proud of our Seattle-local-boy-gone-huge (and I'm still learning from Robert Damper's amazing talent).