Paul Derricott's High 5

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2018-02-24.

“I am interested more and more in new music, and distilling and unifying the purpose and the outcome of any of the music I play.”

Paul Derricott

Paul Derricott, 27, is committed to developing his own strong musical voice.

Paul’s passion is improvised thematic music. During his time at the Sydney Conservatorium (B Mus Jazz Performance 2005) Paul studied with musical personalities such as Andrew Dickerson, Gordon Rytmeister, Dave Goodman, Andrew Gander, David Jones, Judy Bailey, Steve Brien. Paul also credits friend and pianist Sean Wayland as having a major impact on his playing and composing. Paul has established himself as a member of The Denominators Uncle Jed, Miss Donne, MG and The Frauds, New School Collective (Cairns), The Mark Lewis Quartet and The Matt Crane quartet. Paul has also worked with Carl Dewhurst, Brendan Clarke Dave Panichi, Nick Bowd, Sean Wayland, James Muller, Dave Theak, Chuck Yates, Jane Irving, Dale Barlow, Warwick Alder, Don Rader and as the leader of Arrow.

Paul has also dabbled in post rock with Sydney based band Zephyrs Dog and has also got some serious studio time under his belt working with Matt Jackson, Matt McHugh (Beautiful Girls) Donne, Uncle Jed, Leeroy Lee, M.G. and the Frauds, Lanie Lane and many other emerging pop acts. Recently Paul received the Buzz under 26 emerging Artist Grant from the Arts Council of Australia with this funding Paul has recorded his first full length all original album. Paul has just returned from a brief stint in the UK where he toured Europe with Aron Ottignon’s band Aronas, performed at the London Jazz Festival with The London Jazz Collective and also was a guest artist with the Oxford University Big Band on their tour to the North Sea Jazz festival.

1. ARI HOENIG QUARTET – Joel Frahm, Jean-Michel Pilc, Johannes Weidenmueller, Smalls 2005

I had not been to NYC before this trip and as is the case when going somewhere like NYC, it feels like everything you see is the best thing you’ve ever seen, but this gig was a watershed moment for me. Ari lead the band so strongly, it was swinging and subtle, Joel Frahm was commanding. I had never seen music at such a level of interaction and ferocity. It was the first time I had seen Ari, his take on the drums is quite unique and he’s got one of those musical voices that are hard to get out of your head from time to time. This gig got me so vibed I couldn’t get to sleep at all that night so I caught the ferry down to Staten Island, walked to the postcards memorial and watched the day start in NYC.

2. MARS VOLTA – Metro Theatre 22nd Jan 2004

The Mars Volta were a relatively new band when they came out on the Big Day out tour, I had burnt a copy of their album De-Loused in the Comatorium off a mate. I was familiar with their previous band “At the drive in” which I kind of liked. The debut album from these guys is a great album, one of my favourites, I had listened to it quite a bit before the gig and had the feeling I would be disappointed with the live gig. I guess I had that experience of listening to a “pop” band on record and when seeing them live realising they really couldn’t pull off the music very well. I should have been encouraged by the chance meeting of Drew Barrymore at the bar before the show. Cedric Bixler-Zavala brings that real “performer” vibe to the show Jon Theadore on the drums was like a hyper John Bonham. I was truly blown away by the control these guys had, the dynamic shape of the set was immaculate they segued the whole set but it went by in what seemed like a minute. The live show (and sound) was better than the record.

3. JAMES MULLER TRIO - Excelsior Hotel Felix Bloxom and Brett Hirst 04 (I think it was 04)

To have a musician of James ability around is really special; I had seen Muller playing allot before this gig, as he tends to do. I think this band had played a Jazzgroove before; obviously these guys had played down at the Excelsior with other bands so it wasn’t unlikely that this was going to be a good gig. From the first note this band was really on, it felt like the band were really channeling some 70s rock. Felix really gave it and Muller raged on. A great gig, luckily enough James had agreed to letting me and Mike Rivett record it for a Uni project on live recording. It still sounds great.

4. JACKY ORSZACZKY – Hamish Stuart Tina Harrod Alex Hewitson James Greening, The Macquarie Hotel 2007

I never had anything to do with Jackie other than watching his gigs. His humility was evident through his music. I had seen Jackie many times over the years, He was a real leader and I think he defined a musical generation in Sydney. The band always sounded great but I remember seeing him at the Macquarie Hotel in late 07 and it bringing me to tears, what wonderful music. Honesty and courage. There is a great album called “Ready to Listen” by his trio check it out for some of the vibe, one of the truly great albums to come out of Sydney.

5. ALCOHOTLICKS - Evan Mannell Ben Hauptman Aaron Flower, Side on Cafe

I can’t remember when this gig was but it must have been in the latter days of the Side on Cafe. The hotlicks played the first set trio then invited Carl Dewhurst and James Muller for the second set. Man! Amazing energy and joy in the music, burning, inventive playing and groovy. Couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. This was serious music played with a tongue in cheek attitude, Great OZ jazz!