Hi All! Thank you for coming to support! My name is Paul Giess, the man behind the horn! I am currently working on my sophomore project that features some of my favorite hymns and readings from growing up in the Unitarian Universalist Church. Some of these hymns are common while others are hidden gems that could use a little more light. Overall, I believe the connection between spirituality & jazz inspires growth and healing. I’m excited to take this musical journey with you and could not do it without your help :)
More About Me
Paul Giess, trumpet player and composer based in Philadelphia, PA, has honed his musical craft throughout his career. Paul currently serves as the Education Consultant to Artistic Director Lovett Hines at the Philadelphia Clef Club. He is active in multiple ensembles in the Philadelphia area including Outside Sound, Bitters and Rye Jazz Band, The Abstract Truth, Erik Kramer and Friends, Dr. B's Groove, The Boheme Big Band, Yolanda Wisher & The Afroeaters, and The Philadelphia Jazz Project. You can also catch Paul leading his own ensemble, The Paul Giess Group.
Born in West Chester, PA, Paul takes multiple musical influences from his childhood upbringing in the Unitarian Universalist Church. Fascinated by the connection between jazz and spirituality, Paul has worked to combine the poetic musings of church gems with his personal musical influences, namely the the jazz and funk grooves of New Orleans. His first project U Suite U is an ode to self-reflection & experience. The track "Prayer for Mimi", inspired by the transition of his beloved aunt, has been included in the Philadelphia Real Book, published in the spring of 2017 by The Jazz Bridge. The reception of “This Little Light of Mine”, the most popular track from the album, ignited the idea for a larger EP Hymns, scheduled for release Summer 2020.
More About HYMNS (This is Where You Come In!)
The idea for this project came from my first album, U Suite U. My favorite recordings on that album were the songs that we sang in church. This new project, Hymns, gives me a way to present music that represents my upbringing and values while still leaving space for interpretation by the audience. This project not only presents the perfect challenge, but also gives me an authentic way to have a conversation with the spiritual side of the jazz tradition.
What We Need
Studio Time: $1000
Mixing + Mastering - $1500
Musicians + Poets - $2500
Album Art - $300
Album Printing - $700
Photographer - $300
Postage + Miscellaneous (food, transportation, etc.) - $200
The Players
Paul Giess - Trumpet
V. Shayne Frederick - Vocals
Will Brock - Keyboard
Jeff Scull - Guitar
Erik Kramer - Bass
Matt Jernigan - Drums
Kate Rohde - Spoken Word
Yolanda Wisher - Spoken Word
Tom Spiker - Audio Engineer
The Impact
Beyond recording the project, my hope in this campaign is to connect more personally with audiences in a new & different way. By sharing hymns & other spiritual pieces, I hope to explore the personal, religious and sacred with you!
Other Ways You Can Help
Can't donate? No worries! I would appreciate if you spread the word far and wide! Tell your family, friends, coworkers & your religious Aunt all about it! Don't forget to share!
