ARTIST PROFILE: The Paul Wainwright Band

In addition to his concert performing group SaxSafari, the Paul Wainwright Band plays at hundreds of functions, nightclubs, private and public events every year.



"There are two sides to the group - the smooth & contemporary jazzplus our upbeat dance grooves guaranteed to get any crowd up and moving. We have a ball doing it either way! " Wainwright explains.

To quote one of the region's leading event planners: "They have a great repertoire of smooth jazz and familiar tunes done in a jazz style. Not the usual book. And their more upbeat sets have become very popular for their entertainment value and irresistable dancefloor favourites."

Client List

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Comments

We rocked the house and you are sensational!” Martha Reeves (Martha and the Vandellas)

"You guys blew me away!"
Terry MacArthur, Director, Universal Music western Canada

"Great sax player - I haven't heard playing like that in a long time."
Donnie Walsh, leader Downchild Blues Band

"...a great band leader and musician! You always make me look good to our clients! Thank you for always making me shine! I never have to worry when I hire you to look after a gig. You are the best!"
Jan Trerise, President, Musical Occasions

“Paul is a pleasure to work with! He is easy to contact for information and quotes, is very receptive to our / and our clients feedback, and is willing to adapt to fit specific client needs..” Shannon MacGillivray, MacGillivray Event Management Consultants

“You are a great player and add immensely to the show.”
Dale Manton, Integra Management (Timebenders)

“Your playing was world class - great showmanship too, dyn-o-mite stuff!!”
Byron Tosoff Radio Promotion

"The Yale was happening Wednesday night when Victoria boy Paul Wainwright and his band SaxSafari raised the roof during their CD release party. Juicy soprano and tenor sax stylings." Michael Schratter, 24 Hours, Vancouver

“I have to say this is one of the funkiest bands I have had the pleasure of listening to for a long time. Paul Wainwright and his band are a group you don’t want to miss.” Guy Langlois, Cosmic Debris

“Paul Wainwright’s ability to entertain an audience - be they sun baked jazz festival patrons, the crowned heads of Europe or an intimate nightclub crowd - has earned him a reputation by fans & his fellow musicians as one of Canada’s foremost musical ambassadors and a top ranked entertainer.”
Raymond Mitchell, The Jazz Review

"Paul Wainwright, the Victoria-raised saxophone player, was at the Yale hotel recently, launching his SaxSafari Band’s Plank Spankin’ CD by playing several sets.
"Less fetishistic than it sounds (the title is jazz-speak for vigorous bass playing), the album also features multi-hornist Gabriel Mark Hasselback, whose flute playing at the Yale was as refreshing as a lemon sorbetto at Vince Misceo’s Venables-at-Glen La Casa Gelato. The compact Wainwright stuffs many sizes of saxophone into his kisser, except the huge bass model lanky late jazzer Lance Harrison could sling from his neck. As for spankin’, British Guyana born Steve Duben’s erotic style on his bass may result in a family of baby ukuleles.
The funkily inventive album is worth several spins." Malcolm Parry, Vanouver Sun

“Paul’s been an inspiration and mentor to me for as long as I have played music professionally. There’s not a solo I’ve played in my 25 year career that hasn’t got a little bit of Paul in it”.
Gene Hardy, tenor saxophonist (Ronnie Hawkins, Downchild Blues Band, Barenaked Ladies)

“If you’re lucky enough to hear Paul Wainwright perform, you’ve been taken on a musical journey that encompasses the artistry of Ellington’s right hand altoist Johnny Hodges, jump master Louis Jordan’s rockin’ rhythms and the contemporary flair of David Sandborn.”
Raymond Mitchell, Jazz Review

“Whether Paul Wainwright’s adding his special brand of fire to The Midnights, dancing on your table at nightclub during one of his famous “bar walks” or conjuring up smoke & mist on a signature ballad, you’re guaranteed a memorable performance from one of Canada’s great saxophonists and band leaders”.
Ira Dodson, Select Press

“It’s funky, it’s jazzy, it’s irresistably danceable and these guys have the time of their lives doing it. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun!”
Show Review

Listen to This Artist

60 second sampler A brief overview of various styles

What's Goin On (Marvin Gaye)

On Broadway (Holland Dozier Holland)

It Had to Be You (Jones/Kahn) Instrumental