BIO
Paul Wainwright & SaxSafari formed in 2004 when Wainwright left his vocal swing band of many years the Big Band Trio. Partnering with bassist Steve Duben they put together the group to honour their roots and make music in the tradition of Weather Report, Spyro Gyra and the Crusaders. In 2006 they released Plank Spankin' which received critical acclaim and considerable airplay across North America.
The current performing line-up includes:
Paul Wainwright has played with hundreds of renowned musicians and singers such as Kenny Loggins, Stevie Nicks, Michael Buble, Martha Reeves, Jim Byrnes, Donny Walsh (Mr Downchild), Vic Damone, and many more. He and his bands have opened for Herbie Hancock, Manhattan Transfer, Etta James, k.d. lang, Melissa Etheridge, The Great Guitars (Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd), The Rippingtons to name just a few. He has performed at the Las Vegas Jazz Festival and the Sacramento Jazz Festival to standing room only crowds and regularly plays festivals, clubs, casinos, private functions and conventions throughout Canada and the USA.
Born in Georgetown, British Guyana, Steve Duben couples his Caribbean roots with a solid jazz sense to become the master of the wide body groove. He has played with Diana Krall, Dale Jacobs, Al Wilson, Brian Hughes, Ray Griff, Martha Reeves, PJ Perry, Gary Guthman, Tommy Banks, Big Miller, John Ferraro, Geoff Edmunds, Vince Mai, and Gabriel Mark Hasselbach. He performed for three seasons at the Banff School of Fine Arts with Oscar Peterson, Phil Nimmons and Clarke Terry. He has played studio sessions on Attic Records, RCA, Duke Street Records and is heard on hundreds of studio recordings. He is currently working on a recording project with renowned trumpeter Freddie Hubbard.
Thomas Kinzel An exeptional keyboardist, producer & composer, Thomas has written several new compositions for the group which move the band in an exciting new direction. As assistant engineer at the Woodshop Studio in Duncan, BC, he also produces soundtracks and music for other recording artists.
Michael O'Leary on drums brings unparalelled groove-ability and catalyzes the unique SaxSafari sound. He has studied with some of the top drummers and instructors in North America.
Paul Wainwright & Steve Duben from SaxSafari at the Victoria Jazzfest. Click image for hi-rez version. R Snow photo
SaxSafari at the Yale Pub, Vancouver. From L: Tom Lang, Gene Hardy, Paul Wainwright, John Ferraro, Steve Duben, Morry Stearns. Click image for hi-rez version. Brian Wilson/PhotoToday photo