Paul Reid, who died suddenly this week, was a beloved piano player and an all-around entertainer. Over a long career, he played solo piano in bars, performed with big bands and everything in between. He was a member of the Night Blooming Jazzmen from 1988 to 2001, and could more recently be heard at festivals as a member of Cornet Chop Suey.
During an interesting life he worked in all aspects of the music industry. He wrote advertising jingles and performed voice-overs for commercials, did music production for cartoons and radio stations, composed songs and lyrics, produced recordings and performed on recordings. He sang radio jingles but also led the Paul Reid Singers, playing everywhere from strip joints to Las Vegas. Over his career, he performed all styles of music from Dixieland to Harry James style swing.
Along the way Reid had the opportunity to worked with Harry James, Lionel Hampton, Trummy Young, Bud Freeman, Shelly Mann, Arthur Lyman, Barney Kessell, Pete Daily, Joe Darensbourg, Ella May Morse, Herb Geller, Clare Fischer, Mel Blanc, Gary Owens, the Hot Frogs, and many others.
