BPM w/Brian Bromberg, Paul Brown, & Michael Paulo

So, who are these cats called BPM? Just three humble dudes, who love to play and yearn to hang out with one another equally as much and who have absolutely no room for drama. Seriously! Grammy-nominated and hit-making bassist Brian Bromberg, two-time Grammy- winning guitarist and producer Paul Brown, and show-stopping and chart-topping saxophone sensation Michael Paulo (BPM), have joined forces for the first time as a unit on a recording for their anticipated and riveting album, Seriously. Brown’s vision for the trio’s recording was simple, “To make the record we all have wanted to record after 30 plus years of making records. We have no constraints or have anything to prove. The music is just solid and from the heart.” Collectively this triumvirate of musical powerhouses have been first call for such iconic artists as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Sting, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Stan Getz, and Sarah Vaughan, among countless others. Brian Bromberg reveals why BPM is a match made in heaven, “I bring the bagels, Paul brings the wine, and Michael brings his golf clubs and dancing shoes! We all really do bring something different to the table.” Paul Brown confesses that the idea was born after the trio performed together in Punta Mita, Mexico. He shares, “I wanted Brian in the band because I was so impressed with his playing and compositions. It’s nice to have someone that can blow the roof off when he solos. Michael is just a great all-around player who has exceptional stage presence.” Michael Paulo chimes in, “Because I am playing with two stiff guys, somebody has got to move around onstage and that’s me. I am also the man in the middle when two geniuses clash, I chill them with my Hawaiian laid back, ‘ain’t no big thing bruddah’ attitude.”

While the name BPM is a play on the first initials of Brian, Paul, and Michael’s first names, it also alludes to their unwavering commitment to the music, their playful spirits, their unabashed fervor to jam and undeniable pursuit of swing. “Beats Per Minute, baby!” declares Brian. “We have a lot of musical and life experiences that are invaluable that we bring to the stage and to our recordings. No egos, no bull, just the best music we can make,” while Paul Brown says it’s all about “really strong material and performances and hitting for the fences all the time!” BPM manages to balance this passion and unbounded joy with their superb musicianship and organic grooves on the album’s ten tracks.

“I’ve been making music my whole life. It’s my go to when things are rough. I never even thought about doing anything else. I wouldn’t even know where to start,” confesses Paul Brown. The avid golfer and wine collector has dominated the Contemporary Jazz charts as both an artist and producer for several decades. Born in Los Angeles to musician parents who sang with Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, among others, Brown started playing drums at age five and picked up his first guitar two years later. He has amassed 75 #1 Contemporary Jazz radio hits and engineered for R&B divas Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross and has produced for everyone including Luther Vandross, Al Jarreau and George Benson. Paul Brown’s latest solo recording is the Promised Land.

With the release of BPM’s Seriously, Brian Bromberg, Paul Brown, and Michael Paulo are ready to hit the road and spread the good news. Look out for tour dates coming soon. Bromberg concludes, “If BPM has the ability, even on a small scale to make people happy, to make them move or make them sing, then we are playing a very little part in trying to bring people from all walks of life and stories together. That to me is an honor.” Paulo shares the same vision to emotionally connect with their audience stating, “Music is about how you make people feel and communicating emotion. When you accomplish that you have fulfilled your purpose. Paul Brown concludes, “We’re all kind of in the same place in our lives where we only want to do special things that make us happy and that leave us satisfied. It’s not about money or fame. Pure musicality.”