Tribute to Paul Ingle

It is with great sadness that I learned of Paul Ingle’s passing.

Paul Ingle first visited our festival in 2018 at the urging of John and Linda Shorb, who had encountered his warm personality at another Festival (possibly Fresno). We brought him in as a guest artist, and he immediately became very popular with all of the people he encountered here, including the Site Captains and volunteers.

He didn’t want to just appear as a musician, he wanted to Participate, and helped out wherever he could in whatever capacity. He did not charge us for his sets and he stayed with friends when he got here. He just wanted to BE HERE. He played at the Jubilee jam sessions, along with singer Ginger Pauley, whom we had never seen before. We brought her to BSR for a Sunday session sometime later and Paul came out to play in her band. In 2019, we took it one step further and he put together a band called, “The Australian Jazz Connection,” comprised of Paul and other Australians currently living in the US. Adrian Cunningham, himself an Aussie, guested on some of those sets. The band was well received, everyone had a blast.

Through the Covid years, Paul stayed in touch, checking in with his BSR friends. Anyone traveling to Australia was welcome in his house and a few of us took him up on it. Jeff and I never made it, unfortunately.

In 2023, Paul came out for our January festival, bringing his teenage grandson with him. He was taking him on a tour of the US, including Jazz Jubilee by the Sea. They came out a few days early, and we put them to work on the set-up crew. Paul even ran sound for one set when we were in a bind. He performed as a guest artist on several sets. When the festival was over, they stayed for the breakdown. He and his grandson came to the Edgewater, where Jeff and I were breaking down Jeff’s equipment and loading it in the truck. Paul helped carry everything to the elevator. Later, we all went out to dinner.

He visited us again in June of 2024 to play with Ginger Pauley & the Hoosier Daddies. He brought his grandson with him again. He played with us in the jam sets. After the show, he came to dinner at my house with all of our BSR friends and witnessed a rocket launch while there. He said he had an amazing time. He left the following day.

I am greatly saddened by his death because he was a true friend and jazz enthusiast. He loved music and sailing. He only recently retired and was able to pursue both of his passions full time. He will be missed by all that knew him.