About Paul Metzke

Born in Detroit, Michigan and raised on the" Motown Sound", Paul started playing Guitar at age 12. After playing only a year and a half, he won a "Stars of the Future" TV talent show performing "Malaguena". His teacher(who also taught Ted Nugent) gave him a Wes Montgomery album, that forever changed his life. While still in High School he formed his own Jazz trio, and broadened his musical studies to include a Correspondence Course from Berklee Music School,and studying Classical Guitar with a variety of teachers. Hearing John Coltrane,Wes Montgomery,Miles Davis,Dizzy Gillespie,Joe Henderson, and other Jazz Icons "live" as they came through Detroit, in those formative years, was both very inspirational and educational. Although his major influences on Guitar would be: Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jim Hall, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John McLaughlin, and Larry Carlton.

When an all expenses paid opportunity to come to the Big City came his way, he grabbed the chance, and took the next plane out. His first NYC Jazz gig was at the Village Gate, working with Woody Shaw. He continued to study Music Theory, Composition and Piano variously with; Hall Overton, Maury Deutsch , Roland Hanna, Richie Bierach, Hal Galper, and Mike Garson. It was working with Charlie Rouse,early on,that had the most impact on his musical growth and development. "We rehearsed every week for two years (without piano) in preparation for the "Two is One" recording. Charlie would always call the best available Bass player and Drummer, whoever could make it; Ron Carter, Stanley Clarke, Buster Williams, Bob Cranshaw, etc... on Bass. Joe Chambers, Al Foster, Lenny White, Billy Hart, etc... on Drums. It was awesome! "I had to play the harmonic accompaniment, ensembles, and solo with some of the greatest jazz musicians. The music was very complex and required listening in deep, staying focused, and holding it all together. It was an incredibly satisfying musical challenge, and a tremendous learning experience". He soon ventured on to play a wide variety of what could only be called "dream come true" type jazz gigs, Gil Evans, Tony Williams, Gato Barbieri, Paul Motian, Elvin Jones etc....

What counts most in any creative artistic endeavor is cultivating your own distinct voice and unique identity. Paul Metzke has crafted a sound and style that is; immediately recognizable, skillfully articulated, original, personal, powerful, and passionate. With the feeling of the Blues,the rhythmic vitality of Rock and Funk,and the freedom and spontaneity of Jazz, Paul has put it all together; the sound, the styles, the influences, and the experience, to bring out the best. As soon as you hear it, you'll know it's " on ". And yes, it is indeed, "Feeling Mighty Nice".