Paul Winn Band, Biography

Paul Winn Band have recently re-released their 2004 album which has been remixed with live drums, changing the sound dramatically. It had been withdrawn from the public 5 years ago as Paul was not happy with the electronic drums that had been recorded originally. A new track has also been added to that album which didn't make the 2004 album at the time.

Other recent recordings available include the new live CD/DVD recorded at Lazybones Lounge in Sydney and features Rick Wilson on Harmonica, Johann Willenberg on Hammond Organ, Gary Honor on Sax, Emile Nelson on Bass and Dom Robinson on Drums. The music is described as guitar driven blues with an improvisational style incorporating facets of jazz and funk.

Influenced by artists such as Robben Ford, Dave Matthews Band and Robert Cray, the band has released 4 full length albums – a debut album called "Fortunate Man" was made public in 2004 and recently remixed, "Nothing's New" was released in 2009, and a live album called "Live in New York City" was released in 2015.

The band has nearly half a million views on youtube and has had their music feature in films, TV and radio across the globe. They have also toured overseas to the USA and India, played at many festivals including Sydney Blues and Roots festival, Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival and Mornington Peninsula Blues Festival.

"Blues with equal dashes of funk, jazz and soul which gives up a very well rounded and enjoyable, comfortable sound that sure has the feet tapping" - Blues Matters magazine Issue 89

"Winn has really rich guitar tone overall and it's a pleasure to just kick back and listen to his soloing." - Bmans Blues report

Paul Winn

Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards

Paul grew up in a house full of music. His father was a guitarist in various bands and the family home was always full of musicians, instruments and bands rehearsing. Touring in a Kombi fitted to accommodate the family as well as band equipment, Paul spent many happy years watching his Dad on stage and sneaking up in the breaks to have a go himself. He began playing drums at the age of 7 when his Dad brought home an old Ludwig drum kit.

During his school years, Paul continued to study all aspects of drumming and percussion, while playing for amateur musicals and concert bands. He performed in his first professional band at the age of eleven and, throughout High School, he played with various cover bands on weekends while catching up with sleep on Mondays during class, thanks to the understanding of some very encouraging teachers. He also played guitar, sang and began writing his own songs. After High School he auditioned successfully for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (Jazz Studies), where he began to learn piano.

At the same time, Paul performed lead roles in musicals such as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors and Scarecrow in The Wiz, while pursuing voice training with several teachers that covered vocal styles from jazz to opera.

Since graduating, Paul has performed with many bands, both covers and originals. In 2003, recording began on the band's first album.

Simon Fishburn

Drums, Percussion

Simon began his musical endeavours on the trusty harmonica, which his Grandfather used to play extremely well by ear. After a few sketchy lessons on the piano (failing to learn where middle C was on the keyboard), Simon started learning the clarinet.

It was at around the age of 10 that Simon fell in love with the drums. "In the school concert band, there was this dude that played the drums, who just oozed coolness... I wanted to be just like him! He became my first drum teacher."

On his 11th birthday (after much nagging), Simon got his 1st set of drums and by the time he was 13, he was playing in the local garage band, The Amoebas and was playing clarinet and drums in The City of Sydney Bicentennial Concert Band that would over the next decade, take him to Europe, America, Canada and Asia.

After high school, with his focus firmly on a career in music, Simon started teaching drums privately and playing in the orchestra pit of the Willoughby Musical Society

Between 1994 and 1995, Simon studied jazz at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music which lead him to play with notable Australian jazz figures that included Andrew 'Andy' Firth, James Morrison, Roger Frampton and Bill Risby.

Simon's rock and funk endeavours have seen him play and record with original artists such as Tania Bowra and Sarah McGregor and perform in cover bands such as The Enormous Horns and Hipnosis to name just a few.

His knack of being able to pick up any instrument and get a sound out of it, including guitar, bass, piano, clarinet and percussion instruments, as well as singing, bring a performance and songwriting richness and diversity to the bands new album, Nothing's New. His songwriting credits include 'Nothing's New', 'Then You Came', 'Those Days' and 'Take It Back', with co-writing credits on 'Expiry Date', 'Trouble Is' and 'Long Way Home'.

Simon prefers to play Sleishman drums, Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth sticks.

Johann "Yogi" Willenberg

Bass, Backing Vocals

For over half his life now, Yogi has been going head-on into the music industry. He started out quite humbly, learning piano as a child and then moving on to playing in cover bands as a teenager. By his early 20's, he was hitting the stage in musicals around the circuit and by his mid to late 20's, he was working regularly as a DJ, Keyboardist and budding Producer.

Now at 31, Yogi is well respected and working full-time as a Producer, Mix Engineer and DJ, alongside being the Singer and Keyboardist in Random Soul and Bass player in the Paul Winn Band.