Paul Westbrook - Bass

Paul Westbrook was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1980. He began studying the trumpet at age 10 earning several awards for his performance. At age 12 he shifted his focus to the bass guitar and began playing in his school’s jazz band. In 1993 he formed Thinking Plyers, an original rock trio, with twin brother Ryan and schoolmate Colin Allured.

Throughout high school, the trio performed at school functions and public events. During this period Paul began private classical and jazz studies which introduced him to the upright bass. Within a year he was earning statewide attention on the instrument; he was selected as Principal Bass of the Louisiana All-State Orchestra in 1995 and 1996. At age 16 he began his professional career with the Lake Charles Symphony and the Rapides Symphony, becoming the youngest member of both organizations. Other honors from this period include Louisiana All-District Choir and Louisiana All-District Jazz Band.

Paul studied music at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge for two years. During that time he performed with the school’s Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Opera, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble. He remained in demand on the local jazz scene, performing with the Infirmary Road Jazz Combo and the Louisiana Big Band, among others. An ongoing battle with tendonitis ended Paul’s college career in 2000. Following a brief stint with swamp-rocker Giles Sonnier that spring, Paul decided to leave the marshes of Louisiana behind for the rolling hills of Tennessee.

Paul settled in Nashville in June of 2000. He bought an acoustic guitar that Fall and began writing songs. He spent the next three and a half years devoted to Thinking Plyers. In addition to playing bass, singing, and writing songs, Paul played the role of press agent, stage manager, and sound engineer. The trio toured for weeks at a time, promoting their original blend of music, while earning a “real world” education in the music industry. Thinking Plyers recently regrouped following a one-year hiatus. During the 2004 hiatus Paul performed with Rachael Warwick, Charlie McCarter, and the Charles Butler Jazz Trio. He also spent time in his home studio recording tracks for a solo songwriting project, remixing Thinking Plyers’ second album, Cosmic Romance, and tracking new material with folk-noir singer Steven Coats. He also began recording a solo Hindu Gospel album for Thinking Plyers bandmate Colin Allured. When he is not on stage or in the studio Paul can be found in some of Nashville’s most popular venues working in concert production as a sound and lighting technician and stagehand.
Paul’s additional performance credits include Simon Bruce, Billy Miles and the Milestoners, Adrian Bowan, Chris Shearman, and The Bayou Grooves Band. In addition to Thinking Plyers’ three studio albums, Paul can be heard on releases by Infirmary Road, Cartoon Suicide, and the upcoming debut from Virginia singer/songwriter Tony Garcia. When asked about his influences Paul credits a wide range of artists including Willie Nelson, Miles Davis, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Rush, 311, The Beatles, and Steely Dan.

Visit Paul at www.thinkingplyers.com for more information.