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Paul Kendall

Paul Kendall started on clarinet in the 4th grade in New York public school. When the 9th grade band director asked who would play baritone sax, he volunteered. Paul entered college as a baritone saxophonist, but added flute, tenor, and alto sax there. Shortly after college, he was a member of the big bands of Ken McIntyre and Charli Persip on baritone. He began leading jazz groups in venues including Birdland, The Angry Squire, and Cleopatra's Needle in Manhattan, on tenor saxophone. In 2004, Paul relocated to Eastern PA, where he is a member of The Skip Wilkins Quintet, The Tony Gairo/Gary Rissmiller Big Band, and Mark Hamza's Great Swamp Blues Band. Paul also performs with Dave Leonhardt.

Paul Kendall: Whisper Not

Read "Whisper Not" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
February 25, 2024

An organ trio led not by the organist, Dan Kostelnik, but by tenor saxophonist Paul Kendall. Makes no difference, as the music on Whisper Not is delightful, and Kostelnik and Kendall sound like they've been playing together for years instead of for the first time on this impressive studio date, recorded in March 2023. The trio (Rudy Petschauer is the drummer) break no new ground; they simply embrace a series of popular and jazz standards--along with a ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five With Paul Kendall

by AAJ Staff
August 3, 2007

Meet Paul Kendall: Paul Kendall is a multi-woodwind player currently residing in Eastern Pennsylvania. He is a member of The Skip Wilkins Quintet, The Tony Gairo/Gary Rissmiller Big Band, and The Great Swamp Blues Band. Paul released four CDs as a leader while living in New York, which have received excellent reviews and heavy radio play nationally. While in New York, he was a member of The Charlie Persip Superband and Ken McIntyre's Big Band.Instrument(s): Tenor, baritone, alto, ...

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Album Review

Paul Kendall/Bob Leto: Red Top

by Paul West
July 4, 2002

There’s no denying the love jazz aficionados feel for good, old-fashioned tunes. The kind of smooth, light and sprightly sounds that play it safe but do so with energy have a place in our hearts – or ears, to be exact. Red Top, a new album by tenor saxophonist and flutist Paul Kendall and drummer Bob Leto, has precisely this kind of appeal: its rhythms and tones would be comfortable in any upper-class jazz club where men in suits can’t ...

132

Album Review

Paul Kendall: Rhapsody

by Jim Santella
September 1, 2000

Saxophonist Paul Kendall leads several different quartets throughout this latest session of warm standards. As the album's title implies, it's all about melodies and rich harmony. However, Kendall makes sure throughout that there's plenty of space for everyone to stretch out. Averaging eight minutes per track, the program features Kendall's romantic tenor saxophone improvising over familiar chord changes. His crystal-clear tone and light-fingered technique set the mood so that the others are able to contribute accordingly.

Notable is pianist Matthew ...

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Album Review

Paul Kendall: Unspoken Words

by Jack Bowers
April 1, 1999

Unspoken Words (Cats Paw)

Paul Kendall, about whom we know and are told nothing, is an outstanding tenor player from the Stanley Turrentine/Houston Person academy of unvarnished swing, and his commanding presence enlivens this congenial mainstream trio (more accurately, trios) date recorded in ’97. Kendall has a clear and pleasing tone, an abundance of persuasive ideas, and chops that are apparently equal to any task. He fronts two trios, one of which includes veterans Forrester and Petschauer, the other relative ...

Recording

Tenor saxophonist Paul Kendall Releases New CD: Swingin'

Source: All About Jazz
May 24, 2002

Performance / Tour

Paul Kendall trio appearing at Detour

Source: All About Jazz
May 24, 2002

Performance / Tour

Paul Kendall Quartet performing at Detour

Source: All About Jazz

"Tenor saxophonist Kendall has a patient way of improvising, never rushing his thoughts or pushing the envelope. He displays a little of the cool of Stan Getz, the bravado of Joe Lavano, and the bluesiness of an early period Sonny Rollins." By Michael G. Nastos - All Music Guide

"It's been a very long time since I've been so impressed by a musician I hadn't previously heard." By Graham Colombe - Jazz Journal International

"Paul Kendall, about whom we know and are told nothing, is an outstanding tenor player from the Stanley Turrentine/Houston Person academy of unvarnished swing," By Jack Bowers - All About Jazz

"He plays every bit as well as many contemporary tenorists who receive much more notice," By David Franklin - Jazz Times

"Cedar Walton's up tempo "Firm Roots" creates a place for Kendall to demonstrate his fluid articulation and confident phrasing." By Jim Santella - All About Jazz

"An excellent bop-based tenor saxophonist based in New York, Paul Kendall has recorded several worthy CDs for small labels, starting in the late 90's

Primary Instrument

Saxophone, tenor

Location

Scranton

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

I have taught on every level from Elemntary School through College. This includes almost 7 years service credit with New York State Public Schools. I have taught woodwinds at the college level; sax, flute, and clarinet.