Paul Bryan (born April 13, 1967) is an American music producer, arranger, songwriter, and bassist.

Paul Bryan
Background information
Born (1967-04-13) April 13, 1967 (age 57)
San Pedro, Los Angeles, California
OriginUnited States
GenresPop, rock, progressive, jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Bass guitar
Years active1990–present
Partner(s)Emily Procter (2008–present)
Websitewww.paulbryan.us

Biography

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Music production and arranging

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Bryan produced four albums by singer-songwriter Aimee Mann: One More Drifter in the Snow (SuperEgo Records, 2006), @#%&*! Smilers (SuperEgo Records, 2008), Charmer (SuperEgo Records, 2012) and 2017 Grammy winner Mental Illness (SuperEgo Records, 2017). He also produced Grant Lee Phillips' album Little Moon (Yep Roc Records, 2009), Amy Correia's You Go Your Way (2010),[1] the band The Both's self-titled album on Super Ego Records featuring Ted Leo and Aimee Mann,[2] the Glen Phillips album Swallowed by the New[3] (2015), Jennifer Gillespie's Cure For Dreaming[4] (2015), and tracks with Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles. He was also producer, bassist and mixer for Jeff Parker's 2015 record The New Breed[5] and its companion piece, 2020's Suite for Max Brown.

Bryan wrote the string and woodwind arrangements for Nina Nastasia's critically acclaimed album Outlaster (Fat Cat Records, 2010).

Touring and session work

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Bryan is a longtime member and bassist of Aimee Mann's touring band. He toured with Lucinda Williams in 2006 and Elvis Costello/Allen Toussaint in 2007,[6] also appearing that year on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as backup to singer-songwriter Nick Lowe.[7]

Bryan toured in 2017 and 2018 as a member of jazz guitarist Jeff Parker's New Breed band, and as a bassist and singer with Rufus Wainwright's All These Poses Tour in 2018 and 2019. He is also a member of Gerry Leonard's Spooky Ghost.

Bryan has recorded with artists Sam Phillips, Norah Jones, Billy Preston, Ann Peebles, Irma Thomas and Mavis Staples.[8]

Solo work

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Bryan also released a solo album of lyric-driven songs, Handcuff King (The Bats Is Happy Records, 2004).[9]

His 2020 self-release Cri$el Gems is a progressive jazz album co-produced by Jeff Parker of Tortoise.

In 2021 Bryan released A Better Ghost, a collaboration with saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi of Twin Talk and drummer/composer Jeremy Cunningham. Downbeat Magazine gave the album 4 stars. calling it a "moodily poetic and genre-bending jewel." Mojo magazine also gave the record 4 stars, calling it a "less-is-more triumph".

Songwriting

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Nryan frequently writes with songwriter Aimee Mann, and is said to be co-authoring a musical based on Mann's 2007 concept album The Forgotten Arm.[when?]

Grammy Award

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Bryan received a 2017 Grammy as producer of Aimee Mann's Mental Illness, which won Best Folk Record.

Personal life

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Bryan has been in a relationship with actress Emily Procter since 2008. On December 8, 2010, Procter gave birth to their daughter, Philippa Frances (called "Pippa").[10]

Discography

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Solo albums

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Cri$el Gems cover
 
A Better Ghost cover

As producer

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Also appears on

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References

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  1. ^ "Paul Bryan". Paulbryan.us. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  2. ^ "Aimee Mann". Aimee Mann. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  3. ^ "A Deep Conversation with Glen Phillips". www.independent.com. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
  4. ^ Cure For Dreaming
  5. ^ "The New Breed, by Jeff Parker". International Anthem. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
  6. ^ "Elvis Costello en Terral 2007". YouTube. 2007-07-16. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  7. ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-08-11.[dead YouTube link]
  8. ^ "Paul Bryan". Paulbryan.us. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  9. ^ [1] Archived October 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Carita Rizzo (2010-01-20). "Exclusive: CSI: Miami's Emily Procter Welcomes a Baby Girl". tvguide.com. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  11. ^ "Susanna Hoffs - Bright Lights". Review Online. December 24, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
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