Spotlighting Paul Roberts

Paul Roberts has been delighting audiences worldwide for over twenty years with his original arrangements and unique style. As a child in the UK, Paul studied piano and clarinet. At age 11 he gained an interest in church music which resulted in his appointment as organist and choirmaster of All Saints Parish Church at age 17.

 He studied at Liverpool University, and holds several classical music performing and teaching diplomas and was awarded the Organ Scholarship of All Hallows, Allerton. After University, Paul progressed with many successful concert tours throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. He has also performed numerous BBC radio broadcasts. In 1985, Paul secured the post of resident organist to Sanford Park in the Dorset countryside.

 An accomplished pipe organist, Paul is equally at home on electronic organs and the piano. He has completed 12 concert tours of the United States and Canada, with 2 more scheduled for 2003 and 2004. He completed a world tour in 1996 which included concerts in Australia, New Zealand Hawaii as well as mainland USA and Canada. He completed a tour of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in 1998. Here are excerpts from a few published reviews:

 

"No-one has thrilled us playing our organ as much as he did"

- Potomac Valley Organ Society

 

"A real crowd pleaser, which was evident by the applause"

- Windy City Organ Club

 

"In the top league of theatre organists"

- Keyboard Cavalcade

Paul has created a series of recordings demonstrating his abilities on all types of music using all types of keyboards. Most are available on either cassette or CD. Paul has also produced several videos showcasing his technical brilliance and artistry. If you've seen Paul in concert, you'll understand the saying "seeing is believing". Lastly, Paul has written and produced a series of instructional videotapes to teach you how to improve your organ skills.

 

Sample WAV Files of Paul Roberts:

	Getting to Know You
	I'm Getting Married

 

 

CDs & CDs & Cassettes

 

Just Released March 2007 – What A Wonderful World – On this latest CD, Paul plays 9 world famous organs from all over the globe.  The instruments include Dickinson High School (3/42 Kimball), Rochester Auditorium Center (4/22 Wurlitzer), Detroit Senate Theatre (4/34 Wurlitzer), Middletown NY Paramount Theatre (3/12 Wurlitzer), Wheaton Fox Studios (3/19 Morton), Adelaide Australia Capri Theatre (4/29 Wurlitzer), Perth Australia Music Center (3/10 Compton), Blackpool England Tower Ballroom (3/14 Wurlitzer),  and the Dorset England Sanford Park Christie 3/15.  The 40 songs on the tracks range from standards such as Whispering, Five Foot Two, Makin’ Whoopee, and Mister Sandman, to dreamy melodies such as More Than You Know, What A Wonderful World, and Sonny Boy, to sacred songs such as Bless This House and How Great Thou Art, to some of Paul’s signature songs such as Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen and Twelth Street Rag.  This is a wonderful opportunity to hear one of the world’s finest artist on some of the world’s finest theatre pipe organs!  CDs only

 

 

 

 

Just Released March 2007 – At Home with Paul Roberts – Paul Roberts is blessed to live in a splendid home named Ashponds in a tiny village amidst the rolling Somerset Hills of England.  Within the home Paul has assembled a considerable collection of musical instruments, and when schedules allow Paul is renowned for his Sunday afternoon invitation concerts.  This CD captures Paul at many of these instruments, including a two manual two rank “Chester” pipe organ, a Hammond B3000 organ with external Leslie, a 1908 Steinway Model “O” grand piano, a 1994 Schimmel grand piano, a Yamaha HS8 keyboard, and a Technics PR370 electronic piano.  The songs were all recorded live at Ashponds, just as you would hear them if you were in attendance.  The 30 titles range from standards such as Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Beautiful Dreamer, Peg O My Heart, and The Sheik of Araby to sacred songs such as A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, The Old Rugged Cross, and Rejoice Greatly O My Soul to classical and light classical such as J.C.F. Bach’s Partita  and Debussy’s Petit Negre.  CDs only

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pavilioned in Splendour – Celebrating 75 years of the Bournemouth Pavilion Compton Organ – Paul is joined by 5 other British organists playing on this historic instrument.  19 selections and medleys covering the entire spectrum of music.  Puccini to Cohan, Berlin to Romberg, Rodgers & Hart to ragtime.  Songs include For Sentimental Reasons, Lady Is A Tramp, Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man, Give My Regards To Broadway, I Love Paris, Root Beer Rag, & Taking A Chance On Love.  41 songs in all.  CDs only

 

 

 

 

 

Viva Las Vegas – The first recording ever on the relocated world’s largest theatre organ console, the famous six manual Chicago Stadium Barton.  It now resides in the Maloof residence in Las Vegas.  Paul brings it to back to life in this 70 minute recording of 42 favorites.  Selections include music from Oliver and Snow White, songs by Jimmy Van Heusen, and many others.  Both CDs & cassettes available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Organ & Keyboard World of Paul Roberts - A musical magic carpet ride takes you to the four corners of the earth, presenting 25 tunes from around the world performed on a variety of electronic organs, keyboards, and piano. Titles include Warsaw Concerto, Never On Sunday, Rhapsody In Blue, La Cucaracha, Spanish Eyes, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Slow Boat To China, Three Coins In The Fountain, The Japanese Sandman, and Canadian Sunset.    CDs only.

 

 

 

  

 

 

Instructional Videos

 

Essential Theatre Organ Companion - This unique self learning video uses a real theatre pipe organ. It is generously illustrated with musical examples. Specific lessons include: How to approach any theatre organ console, how to use counter melodies, how to use second touch, how to play "Jessie Crawford chromatic rolls", and how to play the amazing cascading waterfall from keyboard to keyboard. Non players and concert goers will enjoy it for the fascinating insight it provides.

 

Essential Keyboard Technique - An indispensable guide for players of all keyboard instruments. It teaches such techniques as posture, hand positions, scales, arpeggios, touch, trills, octave playing, thirds, chords, repeated notes, left hand development, and more! Vivid up close camera work shows in detail how to overcome pitfalls, increase speed and dexterity, and improve control. It's like having your own private tutor at home so that you can learn at a pace to suit you, whether you read music or not.

 

Essential Guide To Bass Pedals - The first ever video guide devoted purely to the techniques and principles of playing the bass pedals. The techniques covered include posture, co-ordination of hands and feet, how to use two feet on the pedals, walking basses, pedal patterns, and more. Covers the principles of playing both single octave pedal boards and 32 note pedal boards. This tape makes playing the pedals easy, whether you read music or not!

 

Essential Guide On How To Read Music - Have you always wanted to read music? Well now you can. This easy to follow tutorial will allow you to learn at your own pace. The combination of sight, including state of the art animated graphics and sound make this a unique learning aid. The lessons are suitable for any instrument and even voice. There is plenty of information for both the beginner and intermediate student.

Note: All videos available in NTSC (USA) format only