Paul Hanson has moved beyond his mastery of classical bassoon and jazz saxophone to create his own unique niche as a master of jazz bassoon. The San Francisco Chronicle calls him “a cross between Monk and Stravinsky.” Downbeat Magazine says that he “produces a sound so full, lithe, and flexible that it's easy to forget the mind-boggling intricacies of the instrument that's producing it.” Darol Anger of the Turtle Island String Quartet says that “Paul plays at the very highest level surpassing most anyone's conception and ability on one of the most unforgiving instruments–ever.”
 
As a saxophone player, he’s performed with Boz Scaggs, Tower of Power, The Temptations, and Eddie Money. The sax solo on “Take Me Home Tonight”? That’s Paul. As an improvising bassoonist, he’s worked with Wayne Shorter, Patrice Rushen, Bob Weir, Billy Higgins, Charlie Hunter, Ray Charles, and Peter Apfelbaum, as well as the Oakland Eastbay Symphony Orchestra and Cirque du Soleil. His work is featured on Bela Fleck and the Flecktone’s Grammy-winning album Outbound. His repertoire encompasses musical aspects of all modern styles of improvised music, and his performances are spellbinding. Don’t miss this Bay Area marvel at the Freight!

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