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Paul Klinefelter

As a young bass guitarist growing up in the Philadelphia area in the early sixties, Paul Klinefelter was an avid fan of the English wave of blues/rock bands of the time. Gradually, he became interested in the American originators of that music, such as the great bluesmen Muddy Waters and B.B. King. After briefly attending art school in 1969, Paul’s musical impulses eventually proved stronger, and he struck out on a three year stint with Jim McCarthy and Soul, a hard-driving Chicago blues band. Around this time, he was also exposed to jazz, listening to WRTI during band breaks at the West Philadelphia League of Republican Voters, a late-night private club where the focus was more on drinking than politics.

Eager to explore the richer harmonic vocabulary of jazz, Paul began studying with guitarist Tony D’Addono, who also suggested he learn the double bass. In 1973, Paul purchased his first upright bass and embarked on classical studies with Eligio Rossi of the Settlement Music School. His classical training continued with Lou Kosma (Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) at Temple University, then with Neil Courtney (Philadelphia Orchestra) at University of the Arts where he eventually earned a diploma in classical double bass performance.

Paul’s eclectic background has allowed him to wear many hats in his multi-faceted career. He has been a member of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra since 1989, performing in the bass section as well as on bass guitar for pops concerts. He is also in high demand in the Philadelphia area as a jazz bassist (where WRTI voted him “Best Jazz Bassist” in 1982). Returning to his blues roots, he has recently been performing with Johnny D’Francesco’s Power Trio, a high-energy blues band with a focus on improvisation. Whether in a jazz club setting, blues festival, recording studio or concert hall, Paul always performs with the high level of artistry and musical integrity that is his hallmark.

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4
Live Review

Paul Klinefelter and Jim Ridl at Rollers Flying Fish

Read "Paul Klinefelter and Jim Ridl at Rollers Flying Fish" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer


Paul Klinefelter and Jim RidlRoller's Flying Fish RestaurantPhiladelphia, PAAugust 16, 2013Roller's Flying Fish Restaurant, in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, offers live music in its intimate upstairs setting. The venue has featured top-of-the line jazz players including the legendary Mose Allison and guitarists Chuck Anderson and Jimmy Bruno. Recently, Paul Klinefelter has curated several events featuring the bassist, paired with musicians he has worked with in his long Philly-based career. This particular night consisted ...

311
Album Review

Paul Klinefelter: Night Mood

Read "Night Mood" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Connoisseurs of jazz trios led by pianists may be familiar with bassist Paul Klinefelter's contribution to Ron Thomas's superb Music in Three Parts (Art of Life Records, 2006). That particular piano trio outing, one of that year's finest, featured Klinefelter's big bass sound interacting in a three-way Zen dance with pianist Thomas and the extraordinary drummer Joe Mullen. Night Mood, by contrast, finds Klinefelter in the leader's seat on a set that mixes styles and shifts line-ups on a polished, ...

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Recording

Ron Thomas + Paul Klinefelter: "Blues for Zarathustra" on Art of Life Records

Ron Thomas + Paul Klinefelter: "Blues for Zarathustra" on Art of Life Records

Source: All About Jazz

Now available for ordering via our web site's secure server Following his two previous Trio releases on Art of Life Records, Music In Three Parts (AL1010-2) and Doloroso (AL1021-2), “Blues for Zarathustra" finds pianist Ron Thomas in a duo setting with acoustic bassist Paul Klinefelter performing six Jazz standards and one original composition. Ron and Paul perform the songs “Gentle Rain" (Luiz Bonfa), “Time Remembered" (Bill Evans), “Yardbird Suite" (Charlie Parker), “You Must Believe in Spring" (Legrand, Demy & Bergman), ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Night Mood

Vectordisc Records
2010

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