North musician Paul Booth to play at Superbowl with Stevie Winwood

Feb 7 2010 Sunday Sun

For Paul it is a far cry from busking next to Grey’s Monument when he supplemented his pocket money by playing the saxophone, watched carefully by parents Eric and Grace, as a schoolboy 21 years ago.

Since his busking days Paul’s career has gone from strength to strength.

It began as a teenager in the pubs and jazz clubs of the North East, such as The Black Bull at Blaydon, and Joe Wilson’s at New Bridge Street, Newcastle.

He was accepted on to a Royal Academy of Music jazz degree course at the age of just 15 and graduated with honours.

He has appeared on New York’s Broadway with Riverdance, has recorded in Australia, played in Brazil, Bangkok and Beirut as well as across Western Europe, as well as being a member of the band fronted by veteran rocker Winwood, who enjoyed considerable success both as a solo artist and with The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith.

He also fronts a jazz combo, the Paul Booth Sextet, which recently released a new album Pathways, described as “bristling with imaginative improvisation” by The Guardian.

Before flying to the US last week Paul told The Sunday Sun: “I am going to have to do a crash course in American football when I get to Florida. I know nothing about the game, I will look up some American friends who can give me some pointers.

“But playing at a huge event like the Superbowl will be incredibly exciting.

Click here to visit Paul's website where you can listen to him play