ARTIST | The Vibe Guy - Paul Babelay
The Vibe Guy - Paul Babelay
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Last update: 09 Aug 2010 08:20 PM
Home: AMERICA NORTH: USA: North Carolina (NC)
Joined: 09/15/09 09:03:35
Members:
Genre: Jazz
Influences:
Website: http://www.TheVibeGuy.com
Biography
Paul Babelay (known as “PB”) is an American vibraphonist, percussionist and composer.
While older listeners compare him to well-known vibraphonists, Milt Jackson & Lionel Hampton, his songs, spirited improvisations and percussion-filled grooves reach all ages.
Paul graduated from the University of North Texas State with a Master’s Degree in orchestral percussion in 1987. As a grad assistant, he taught vibraphone & jazz percussion by day but played nightly in the Dallas music scene with singer Jeannette Brantley (Solomon Burke, Stan Getz).
Babelay moved to Asheville, NC in 1991, and unexpectedly met the love of his life. They married in 1993 with a 5 yr old daughter as an added bonus. Now two more makes three, making PB’s full-time gig as Husband & Dad his favorite. “My daughters and marriage are my Grammies,” Paul says.
To avoid touring and still support a family, Babelay has worn many hats: jingle writer, worship leader, director of college jazz ensembles, free-lance percussionist, contractor, producer and studio-musician.
PB has played for everybody from comedians Don Rickles & Martin Short to contemporary Christian singer, Darlene Zschech. He’s been awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, performed on the North Carolina Artists Touring Roster, been mallet percussionist in several orchestral recordings/demos for Carl Fischer Music, and is the house drummer for the State Theater of North Carolina.
In 2009, Paul began to feel the need to record his own music. “I’ve been blessed to make a living doing what I love, with great people in countless situations. But, I’ve got some music that needs to get out.”
The recording has already begun. Babelay may include several of his trademark solo-vibe arrangements of jazz standards, but most of it will be pulled from his original songs.
While older listeners compare him to well-known vibraphonists, Milt Jackson & Lionel Hampton, his songs, spirited improvisations and percussion-filled grooves reach all ages.
Paul graduated from the University of North Texas State with a Master’s Degree in orchestral percussion in 1987. As a grad assistant, he taught vibraphone & jazz percussion by day but played nightly in the Dallas music scene with singer Jeannette Brantley (Solomon Burke, Stan Getz).
Babelay moved to Asheville, NC in 1991, and unexpectedly met the love of his life. They married in 1993 with a 5 yr old daughter as an added bonus. Now two more makes three, making PB’s full-time gig as Husband & Dad his favorite. “My daughters and marriage are my Grammies,” Paul says.
To avoid touring and still support a family, Babelay has worn many hats: jingle writer, worship leader, director of college jazz ensembles, free-lance percussionist, contractor, producer and studio-musician.
PB has played for everybody from comedians Don Rickles & Martin Short to contemporary Christian singer, Darlene Zschech. He’s been awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, performed on the North Carolina Artists Touring Roster, been mallet percussionist in several orchestral recordings/demos for Carl Fischer Music, and is the house drummer for the State Theater of North Carolina.
In 2009, Paul began to feel the need to record his own music. “I’ve been blessed to make a living doing what I love, with great people in countless situations. But, I’ve got some music that needs to get out.”
The recording has already begun. Babelay may include several of his trademark solo-vibe arrangements of jazz standards, but most of it will be pulled from his original songs.
Since Paul enjoys working in most genres, the hard part is selecting his favorite material. “I like a groove, nice melodies, meaningful improvisation, and it’s got to be funky. It’s a vibe thang.” And that’s the CD working title… “My Vibe”.