Paul Scea

An acoustic multi-instrumentalist named Paul Scea—whose surname is voiced See-Ay—concentrates on an array of saxophones, clarinets, and flutes along with the amplified MIDI woodwind controller. Entering the world in 1959, he took up instruments early and, after junior-high and high-school training, earned degrees from Western Washington University and the University of Iowa. Creative improvisation and progressive jazz form the core of his work, though he has also engaged with straight-ahead mainstream jazz, and his tonal identity reflects the impact of tenor saxophonists John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, and Pharoah Sanders as well as Albert Ayler, Anthony Braxton, and Evan Parker, together with the flute stylings of Eric Dolphy, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Sam Rivers, and James Newton. His discography has been issued on the Accurate, Southport, Nine Winds, Perception, Blujazz, and Omnitone labels, and he maintains an association with United Musical Instruments. Fellow performers who have shared stages or recordings with him encompass Don Lanphere, Paul Smoker, Tim Hagans, Damon Short, Ryan Schultz, Mark Gratama, Chuck Burdelik, Matt Wilson, John Turner, Noel Kupersmith, Larry Kohut, Anthony Cox, and, most regularly, guitarist Steve Grismore. In the late ’80s Scea appeared frequently at the Johnson City Landmark and served as its director; he now occupies the roles of Associate Jazz Professor and Director of Jazz and World Music Studies at the University of West Virginia.