“I still have to pinch myself – it’s wonderful”. Paul is living his dream, gigging in a ska band on saxophone.
When Sax School Ska Legend Paul joined Sax School in 2020, during Lockdown, he would never have believed where it would lead him.
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Like loads of our Sax School members, Paul was coming back to the saxophone after a break. “I’d played on and off before but never took it seriously,” Paul explains. “I never took time to practice, and I had lessons but didn’t practice in between. With family, work and other commitments it was never a priority….my sax had been an ornament for 20 years.”
Amazing Saxophone Resources
All that changed during Lockdown in 2020. Paul was working from home, and saving time on his daily commute to Manchester. He spent his spare time playing the saxophone – then he discovered Sax School.
“I started out with the YouTube video on One Step Beyond,'”says Paul. “Then took the 14 day free trial. I joined Sax School after about 4 days because the resources were just phenomenal.”
Ska Saxophone
Paul has always been a big fan of Ska on saxophone “ever since seeing Lee Thompson swinging through the air playing “Baggy Trousers,” when I was aged 9″ says Paul. “I’ve always wanted to play saxophone since but never I took it seriously. I didn’t have the commitment, and didn’t have a goal”.
After joining Sax School Paul’s confidence grew as his playing improved, and he decided to join a band. “Maybe it was hitting the big 5-0!” says Paul, but I increased my saxophone skills, practicing and knowledge and started looking for a band.”
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Finding a Ska Band
Finding a band wasn’t easy though. After searching on Facebook and Google, Paul contacted a band but found that the saxophone vacancy had already been filled. However, Paul kept in touch with the bass player, and later found out that the band had folded. “We kept in contact sharing songs and messages, and then we decided to form our own band – and Skafull was born,”explains Paul.
It was another Sax School member, Charles, who gave Paul the encouragement he needed to start the band. Charles is in “Some Ska Band” in Rochester, New York and Paul saw Charles’s video in Sax School. “Charles’s video inspired me to join a band,” says Paul. “I messaged him directly and he was really supportive.”
A Ska Legend
Paul has played 10 gigs so far with Skafull and he’s loving the experience. “Even from the first gig I wasn’t nervous which surprised me…It’s great to see people dancing – I never thought I’d see the stage from this perspective!” says Paul.
Paul and the band recently played a charity gig in Bradford for the Teenage Cancer Trust, headlining a 10 band event in local ska venue.
This is Paul’s message for anyone who has a dream to play saxophone in a band. “I can’t recommend it enough and if you have any inkling I’d encourage you to do it – it’s fantastic…To see people dancing all night to music you’re involved with is just a wonderful feeling”.
What’s next?
Paul has a busy summer ahead. The band are booked for a Ska Festival in June. “We are playing alongside one of my daughters’ favourite bands so that’s given me street cred with my daughters!” says Paul. “My daughters and my wife are our biggest fans, they come to most of the gigs and are up dancing.”
Skafull will also be playing the impressive Tickles Music Hall in Bradford in May. After that, they are planning to focus on writing some original songs.
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Saxophone Inspiration
It’s amazing to see what Paul has achieved on his saxophone in just 2 years. “If someone had said 2 years ago that I would be playing gigs regularly and have 20 booked this year I would never have believed it,” says Paul. “I still have to pinch myself – it’s wonderful.”
Paul has this advice for new players, or people coming back to the saxophone after a break.
- Have a goal – then you can use the tools in Sax School to stick to that goal and keep on track
- Keep going with scales and technique practice
- Dig into the Sax School masterclasses for inspiration
- Use the Sax School Community.
Paul has made some great connections through our Community, including collaborating with fellow ska Legend Melanie. Paul recently saw Melanie’s band supporting The Beat. “The Community is phenomenal,” says Paul – “for resources, help, advice… I would like to say thank you to so many members – couldn’t have got here without them and without Sax School.”
We can’t wait to see what Paul achieves next. Congratulations to Paul on being our Sax School Ska Legend!
Want to learn saxophone like Paul? Start today with Sax School!