Paul Moran’s unique artistry is heard in the R&B, jazz and contemporary arenas, reaching across into film and TV.
Paul’s prolific abilities have brought him UK and international concert and recording work with an array of artists as diverse and impressive as Van Morrison (musical director), Natalie Cole, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, George Michael, Joss Stone, Mavis Staples, Bette Midler (musical director), Sister Sledge, Clare Teal, Mark Knopfler, Tony Hadley (musical director), Candy Dulfer, Rick Astley, The Drifters (musical director), Cilla Black (musical director), Gilbert O’Sullivan (musical director), Chris Norman, Joe Walsh, Wishbone Ash, Marcella Detroit, Irene Cara, Michael Ball, Buddy Greco, Elaine Delmar (musical director), Maceo Parker (Montreux Jazz Festival), Tom Jones, Chrissie Hynde and Jools Holland. They are a few of the many who appreciate Paul for his sensational skills as a keyboard player, accomplished jazz musician and orchestrator.
Paul’s skills in writing and composition have led him to play on many hit albums including Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl and Born to Sing: No Plan B, Tony Hadley’s Passing Strangers, Wishbone Ash’s Bare Bones, Bronski Beat’s Small Town Boy, Kim Fowley’s Let the Madness In and Toyah Wilcox’s Dreamchild, to name but a few.
Buddy Greco requested Paul’s services on piano and Hammond organ for his first UK tour, culminating in a fabulous concert at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. Paul was honoured to be invited to play Hammond organ for Kevin Spacey, together with full orchestra, at a star-studded fundraiser for 9/11. Paul has gone on to play fundraisers, performing as musical director for many celebrities.
His film and TV work includes orchestrator and bandleader on The Paul O’Grady Christmas Special (ITV), The Paul O’Grady Royal Wedding Special (ITV) and Tony Hadley TV appearances, and musical director on Children in Need (BBC), This Morning (ITV), The Paul O’Grady Show (ITV) and Van Morrison Live at St Luke’s Hall, London (BBC).
Composition credits for TV include the first series of One Foot in the Grave (BBC). In film, he re-orchestrated the score of The Hound of the Baskervilles, starring Peter Cooke and Dudley Moore. Paul also contributed to the score of the film Leo, starring Dennis Hopper and Joseph Fiennes, and the Terry Gilliam movie Tideland, starring Jeff Bridges. Paul’s library music continues to be regularly picked up and featured in Canadian and Polish films.
On the commercial scene Paul has worked extensively for Carlin, composing library tracks and signature tunes. His credits include One Foot in the Grave (BBC) and work for Sky Sports, together with advertising commissions for Ariel, Dove, Tetley Bitter and Granada. Paul composed, scored and played a considerable part of the soundtrack, including complex string arrangements, for the Sony PlayStation 2 game, Ghosthunter.
Paul continues to compose and produce library music for Warner Chappell, Carlin and Soho Music. He has also worked on many recording sessions in London studios such as CTS, Konk, Redwood and Abbey Road.
In his own right, Paul is best-known for the release of the album Smokin’ B3, a funky Hammond organ-based album featuring such greats as Andy Gangadeen, Chris “Snake” Davis, Jim Mullen and the leading British soul vocalist Ruby Turner. Smokin’ B3 was recorded at Abbey Road and Matrix studios in London. It features regularly on national and international radio stations such as Jazz FM and GLR as well as the Sky/Cable music channel, Music Choice. The album reached number 8 in the HMV jazz charts.
