Paul Wek Bass

My Life in the U.S.:

Originally from the Chicago area, I began studying piano at the age of 6, followed by
trumpet at age 8. When the Beatles shook the universe in ’63, destiny put a bass in my
hands. It made sense: my name was Paul, I’m actually left-handed, I studied piano and trumpet before taking up the bass.

By high-school my band was playing local dances, followed by gigs across Wisconsin,
Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. After class, I’d drive to the city once a week to study
theory & harmony at the Chicago Conservatory. In ’71 I moved to Boston to continue my studies
and to soak up the influences from Berklee. There, a Berklee vibraphonist, Ted Wolff (who after graduation joined the staff under Gary Burton) by chance heard me playing one night and soon thereafter offered me a gig he had contracted, “Summerthing”, a city program designed to bring music into Boston’s diverse neighborhoods. Ted could have asked any number of Berklee bassists, but he chose me. That really boosted my playing confidence.

In 1973, I moved to Paris. See details below re “France”.
I returned to the States in ’77; over the years since, I have lived, jammed and performed in
Los Angeles, San Diego, Marin County, Colorado Springs and Washington DC
(Maryland). In 2021 I finally settled down in Las Vegas.

I currently reside in Henderson, Nevada.

U.S. Recordings & Performances

Years in France (1973 – 1977):

I moved to Paris in 1973 intending to continue my studies (which would have been paid by the French Government!). I intended to continue my studies there as it is paid by the French Government. However, my plans were unexpectedly diverted when, through friends, I met, auditioned for, and was invited to join the touring AND recording bands of an established French singer on Polydor Records, Jean-Michel Caradec.

Jean-Michel was a French author, poet, composer & performer from Bretagne.

I recorded two albums (LPs) and several singles with Jean-Michel.

Both Albums were Recorded at Studio du Chäteau d’Hérouville, Hérouville, France.

Studio URLs: http://www.lechateaudherouville.com

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/chateau-dherouville-french-mansion-van-gogh-david-bowie/
https://reverb.com/news/le-chateau-dherouville-un-studio-mythique

Hérouville housed one of the first ‘destination’ studios where musicians came, lived, ate, played tennis, swam, composed, arranged and recorded in a self-contained, comfortable and creative environment. At the time, a destination studio was a ground-breaking concept, and it was well-received by the musical A-List. Everyone recorded there: Paul McCartney, Elton John, David Bowie, The Police, Sting, Pink Floyd, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC, Marvin Gaye, Rainbow, Richie Blackmore, The Bee Gees, Judas Priest, Muse, Kate Bush, Yes, Rick Wakeman, Iggy Pop, T-Rex/Bolan: the list goes on and on..

When Elton John first recorded an album at the Château in 1972, he enjoyed the experience so much, he named the album “Honky Château”

We spent up to six months per year on the road in France, Belgium, Switzerland and even Corsica. For a young American, just to be there was a real trip. Then, to record au Château d’Hérouville took the experience to an entirely new and unexpected level.