Gene Paul
Gene Paul at G&J Audio in 2012
Gene Paul at G&J Audio in 2012
Background information
Born (1944-08-20) August 20, 1944
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Audio recording / mixing / mastering engineer, producer and musician
Instrument(s)Drums
Years active1959–present
Websitewww.gandjaudio.com

Gene William Paul (born August 20, 1944) is an American audio recording / mixing / mastering engineer, producer and musician. He was an engineer at Atlantic Recording Studios during their famed 1960s–80s period and is currently the chief mastering engineer at G&J Audio, a mixing and mastering studio for major and independent labels focused on reissues and new recordings. He has worked on thousands of projects, and has engineered 9 Grammy Award-winning albums with 29 total nominations in 15 different categories. He has engineered many hit recordings, including 7 #1's on the Billboard National Charts, 6 #1's on the Pop Charts, 10 #1's on the Jazz Charts and 5 #1's on the R&B Charts.

Early years

Gene Paul, Mary Ford & Les Paul in the mid-1960s

Gene Paul is the son of the guitarist and inventor Les Paul, the inventor of the solid-body electric guitar and early innovator of multitrack recording.[1] Gene spent his youth developing his engineering skills in the family recording studio[1] and spent a decade as the drummer in his father's touring band from 1959 to 1969, with singer Mary Ford (his stepmother) for the first half.[2] "Without even knowing it, I was being taught about presenting music, which was a great experience. I worked on putting the shows together with dad. I watched him record his own music as well as groups. If he said, 'Do you want to know about this?' I'd say, 'Yes.' And I'd go set up a mic. By the time I grew up, I knew how to record."[1]

Atlantic Records

Gene Paul at Atlantic Records in the 1970s

His career took off after joining Atlantic Records in 1969 where he quickly became a world-renowned engineer and producer. "The people there, like Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, Joel Dorn, Ahmet Ertegun, they were all gentle people. You would think that they were all superstars, but they never acted that way. Being at Atlantic was like being welcomed into someone's house. It was a house of music. You never knew who was going to come in, one day Aretha [Franklin], the next The Modern Jazz Quartet, King Curtis, Gladys Knight. ... It was truthfully hard to go home at night."[3]

Mastering

In the 1980s, Paul began working with Atlantic Records producer Joel Dorn and Atlantic Records engineer Joel Kerr to restore and remaster the recordings of rare live performances by famous artists.[1] This led Paul & Kerr to form DB Plus Digital Services, an independent mastering studio which operated in New York City from 1987 to 2009.[3] In 2010, he became Chief Mastering Engineer at G&J Audio, a mixing and mastering studio for major and independent labels focused on reissues and new recordings, alongside Kerr and engineer Jamie Polaski.[3]

Grammy Awards

Gene Paul has engineered 9 Grammy Award-winning albums with 29 total nominations in 15 different categories. (Years listed are album release dates.)

YearArtistAlbumLabelProducerCategoryRole[4]
1970Aretha FranklinDon't Play That SongAtlantic RecordsArif Mardin, Jerry Wexler, Tom DowdWINNER: Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female[5]Recording Engineer[6]
1971Aretha Franklin"Bridge Over Troubled Water" (single)Atlantic RecordsArif Mardin, Jerry Wexler, Tom DowdWINNER: Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female[5]Recording Engineer[7]
1971Aretha FranklinYoung, Gifted and BlackAtlantic RecordsArif Mardin, Jerry Wexler, Tom DowdWINNER: Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female[5]Recording Engineer
1973Roberta FlackKilling Me SoftlyAtlantic RecordsJoel DornWINNER: Record of the Year[5]Recording Engineer
1973Roberta Flack"Killing Me Softly with His Song" (single)Atlantic RecordsJoel DornWINNER: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female[5]Recording Engineer[3]
1974Average White BandAWBAtlantic RecordsArif MardinBest R&B Instrumental Performance (for "Pick Up the Pieces")[8]Recording Engineer
1975Average White BandCut the CakeAtlantic RecordsArif MardinBest R&B Vocal Performance, Male (for "Cut the Cake")[8]Recording Engineer
1978Average White BandWarmer CommunicationsAtlantic RecordsArif MardinBest R&B Instrumental Performance (for "Sweet & Sour")[8]Recording Engineer
1995John ColtraneHeavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic RecordingsRhino RecordsJoel DornBest Historical Album[9]Mastering Engineer
1997Various ArtistsCuba: I Am TimeBlue Jackel EntertainmentJack O'NeilBest Historical Album[10]Mastering Engineer
1997Various ArtistsCuba: I Am TimeBlue Jackel EntertainmentJack O'NeilBest Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package[10]Mastering Engineer
1998Arkadia Jazz All StarsThank You, John! Our Tribute to John ColtraneArkadia JazzBob KarcyBest Jazz Instrumental Solo (soloist: David Liebman)[11]Mastering Engineer[12]
1998Arkadia Jazz All StarsThank You, Gerry! Our Tribute to Gerry MulliganArkadia JazzBob KarcyBest Jazz Instrumental Solo (soloist: Randy Brecker)[13]Mastering Engineer
1998Benny GolsonTenor LegacyArkadia JazzBob KarcyBest Jazz Instrumental Solo (for "Body and Soul")[14]Mastering Engineer
1999Joanne BrackeenPink Elephant MagicArkadia JazzBob KarcyBest Jazz Instrumental Solo (for "In Vogue")[15]Mastering Engineer
2000Bobby SanabriaAfro-Cuban Dream... Live & in Clave!!!Arabesque RecordingsBobby SanabriaBest Latin Jazz Album[16]Mastering Engineer
2003Shirley HornMay the Music Never EndBlue Note RecordsShirley HornBest Jazz Vocal Album[17]Mastering Engineer
2003Kurt EllingMan in the AirBlue Note RecordsBill TrautBest Jazz Vocal Album[18]Mastering Engineer[6]
2004Norah JonesFeels Like HomeBlue Note RecordsNorah Jones, Arif MardinWINNER: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (for "Sunrise")[5]Mastering Engineer
2004Maria Schneider OrchestraConcert in the GardenArtistShareMaria SchneiderWINNER: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album[5]Mastering Engineer[19]
2005Rick MoranisThe Agoraphobic CowboyWEPI / ArtistShareTony ScherrBest Comedy Album[20]Mastering Engineer
2005John Hollenbeck Large EnsembleA BlessingOmnitone RecordsJohn HollenbeckBest Large Jazz Ensemble Album[21]Mastering Engineer
2005Various ArtistsSongs from the Neighborhood: The Music of Mister RogersNostalgia RecordsDennis ScottWINNER: Best Musical Album for Children[5]Mastering Engineer[4]
2007Maria Schneider OrchestraSky BlueArtistShareMaria SchneiderWINNER: Best Instrumental Composition (for "Cerulean Skies")[22]Mastering Engineer
2007Maria Schneider OrchestraSky BlueArtistShareMaria SchneiderBest Large Jazz Ensemble Album[22]Mastering Engineer
2007Bobby SanabriaBig Band Urban FolktalesJazzheadsBobby SanabriaBest Latin Jazz Album[16]Mastering Engineer
2009Leslie MendelsonSwan FeathersRykodiscJoel DornBest Engineered Album, Non-Classical[23]Mastering Engineer
2011Fred HerschAlone at the VanguardPalmettoFred HerschBest Improvised Jazz Solo (for "Work")[24]Mixing & mastering engineer
2011Various ArtistsAll About Bullies... Big and SmallCool Beans MusicSteve PullaraBest Musical Album for Children[25]Mastering Engineer[6]

Recordings

In addition to the Grammy Awards listed above, Gene Paul has engineered many hit recordings, including 7 #1's on the Billboard National Charts, 6 #1's on the Pop Charts, 10 #1's on the Jazz Charts and 5 #1's on the R&B Charts.

YearArtistAlbumChart Position[4]Role[4]
1961Eddie Harris"Exodus" (single)#16 R&B, #36 USRemastering Engineer
1968Eddie Harris"It's Crazy" (single)#88 USRemastering Engineer
1969Eddie Harris & Les McCannSwiss Movement#1 Jazz, #2 R&B, #29 USRemixing & Remastering Engineer
1969R.B. GreavesR.B. Greaves#24 R&B, #85 USMixing Engineer
1971Eddie Harris & Les McCannSecond Movement#1 Jazz, # 41 USRecording and Remastering Engineer
1971Les McCannInvitation to Openness#8 JazzRemastering Engineer
1971Donny HathawayDonny Hathaway#6 R&B, #89 USRecording Engineer
1972Roberta Flack & Donny HathawayRoberta Flack & Donny Hathaway#3 US, #2 R&B, #10 JazzRecording Engineer
1972CreamLive Cream Volume II#27 USRemixing Engineer
1972Herbie MannHold On, I'm Coming#7 JazzMixing Engineer
1973Bette MidlerBette Midler#6 USRecording Engineer
1973Hall & OatesAbandoned Luncheonette#33 USRecording Engineer
1973Willie NelsonShotgun Willie#41 USRecording Engineer
1973Les McCannLayers#5 JazzRemastering Engineer
1973Modern Jazz QuartetBlues on Bach#34 JazzRecording and Mixing Engineer
1973Donny HathawayExtension of a Man#18 R&B, #69 USRecording Engineer
1973Bee GeesMr. Natural#178 USRecording Engineer
1974Modern Jazz QuartetThe Complete Last Concert#34 JazzMixing Engineer
1976The Rolling StonesBlack and Blue#1 USRecording Engineer[1][26]
1976Willie NelsonThe Troublemaker#1 Country, #60 USRecording Engineer
1977Ben E. KingBenny & Us#14 R&B, #33 USRecording Engineer
1979Bette MidlerThighs and Whispers#65 USRecording Engineer
1983Paul SimonHearts and Bones#35 USRecording Engineer
1993David "Fathead" NewmanBigger & Better#10 Jazz, #42 R&BRemastering Engineer
1998Various ArtistsJazz for the Open Road#1 JazzMastering Engineer
1998Various ArtistsJazz for the Quiet Times#1 JazzMastering Engineer[6]
1999Various ArtistsJazz for When You're Alone#1 JazzMastering Engineer[6]
1999Various ArtistsJazz for a Lazy Day#4 JazzMastering Engineer[6]
2000Various ArtistsJazz for a Rainy Afternoon#1 JazzMastering Engineer[6]
2000Jane MonheitNever Never Land#2 JazzMixing & Mastering Engineer
2000Various ArtistsJazz for When You're in Love#9 JazzMastering Engineer[6]
2001Jane MonheitCome Dream with Me#1 JazzMixing & Mastering Engineer
2002Jane MonheitIn the Sun#2 JazzRecording, Mixing & Mastering Engineer
2003Various ArtistsJazz for Those Peaceful Moments#4 JazzMastering Engineer[6]
2007Mocean WorkerCinco de Mowo!#16 ElectronicMastering Engineer

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Williamson, Don, "Gene Paul... A Stickler for Imperfection” Archived December 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, '’Jazz Review'’, January 29, 2006. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  2. Kruth,John, "Shut Up & Learn – The Auspicious Apprenticeship of Gene Paul”, '’Wax Poetics'’, March/April 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Littwin, Danny (September 2010). "It's about the music, not the technology". Producao Audio (in Portuguese). pp. 26–36. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Gene Paul". Allmusic.com. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Past Winners Search”, '’Grammy.com'’. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Staff". G&J Audio. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  7. "Aretha Franklin – Aretha’s Greatest Hits”, Discogs. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  8. 1 2 3 "AWB History” Archived October 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Average White Band.com. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  9. Porter, Lewis, , '’John Coltrane: His Life and Music’’, University of Michigan Press, January 27, 2000. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  10. 1 2 Carlozo, Lou, "Chicago Artists are Well-represented In Grammy Nominations”, Chicago Tribune, January 7, 1998. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  11. "Full Biography” Archived September 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Dave Liebman.com. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  12. "Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: Thank You John”, VIEW Video & Arkadia Label Group. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  13. "About Ted Rosenthal”, All About Jazz. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  14. "Benny Golson”, Jazz at Lincoln Center. 2012-08-25.
  15. "JoAnne Brackeen, Professor”, Berklee College of Music. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  16. 1 2 "Faculty Experts”, The New School. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  17. "Tribute to Mesterhazy featured in second week of Cape May Music Festival” Archived August 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, '’Shore News Today'’, September 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  18. "Kurt Elling”, All About Jazz. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  19. "Album Details” Archived October 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Maria Schneider.com. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  20. Gerstein, Ted & Berman, John, "Rick Moranis on His Transformation Into a Grammy-Nominated Country Western Singer”, ABC's '’Nightline'’, February 5, 2006. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  21. "The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards Roundup: Jazz Field”, Grammy.org. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  22. 1 2 "Album Details: Sky Blue” Archived December 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Maria Schneider.com. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  23. "2010 Grammy Award Nominations Announced”, '’Mix'’, December 3, 2009. Retrieved 2012-08-024.
  24. “Exploring the GRAMMYs’ Jazz Field Nominees” Grammy.com. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  25. “Exploring the Children’s Field Nominees” Grammy.com. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  26. "Black and Blue", Wikipedia.org. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
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