Paul Thomas Yoder

With an interesting Spanish flair a la Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, this artist is the essence of smooth jazz. Yoder’s music is enticing and mixes up rock, pop, jazz and blues into a froth of sound that is truly delicious.
- Music-Tech.net

Paul Thomas Yoder plays trumpet and flugelhorn with unbridled passion. This So Cal native, who still works as an engineer for JPL, likes to live life on the edge. He says, "I have always been drawn towards trumpet players that had an "edge", either in their aggressiveness or their range or their sound...or even their lifestyle.” You can hear that edginess in his debut release, DREAMIN,’ an eclectic collection of tunes that range from mellow Smooth Jazz to soft rock to electric rock. For even more variety, he includes three vocals on the disc, from the songbooks of artists like Maynard Ferguson, Mr. Mister, and even rocker Yngwie Malmsteen. To my ear, highlights of DREAMIN’ include the very smooth “Black Cat, Black Hat” (which really spotlights Paul’s amazingly clear, pure tone), the Paul Yoder original and mega-energetic “Cruisin’ 4-A Fusion,” the very cool cover of the Stevie Nicks hit “Stand Back,” and the intriguing, mystical “Sadness.” Here’s a guy that started out with a violin at age four, quickly switched to piano, and then realized that the trumpet was to be his instrument. Thanks to inspired mentoring and inspiring idols, Paul Thomas Yoder has amassed numerous performing awards and accolades with his horn… This all leading to this impressive debut CD. Add it to your own collection and remember the first time you heard it, when Paul Thomas Yoder reached the leading edge of musical stardom!

~Scott O’Brien - SmoothJazz.com Radio

Brassman/vocalist, Paul Thomas Yoder, has recently released his latest CD, "Dreamin." Make no mistake, it is a well crafted and intelligently programmed independent project which does itself proud amongst all other contemporary jazz projects currently available on the national scene.

If you like smooth infectious grooves, buttery melodies, a strong supportive cast, and a good dose of Latin flair, then you will want to add this one to your collection. Ironically, on a somber note, the album is dedicated to the band's late guitarist, Michael Hakes, whose intense fluency virtually leaps out of the speakers and grabs the listener by the throat.

The album's two vocal tunes, "Dreamin'," and "Walkin' On The Pier" are adroitly handled by Yoder. Instrumentally, tunes like "Sadeness," "True Faith," and "Cruisin 4-A Fusion" are uptempo, powerfully engaging tunes that jazzy adult radio stations could put to good use right away.

The band shows its flexibility and understanding of the marketplace with their excellent versions of Stevie Nicks' "Stand Back" and Mister Mister's "Broken Wings." Yoder and company breathe freshness and vigor into these ready made radio hits and truly imbue the classic tunes with a new passion.

If you're looking for a brassy, positive, grooving, and transcendent musical experience, you don't have to dream about it anymore. You can have a copy of Paul Thomas Yoder's "Dreamin'." You'll want to keep it close to your heart, and you'll be encouraged never to give up your own precious dreams. - Larry "LeKool" Hollowell

The incredible success of Rick Braun, Chris Botti and, more recendy, Greg Adams. has opened the doors in recent years for smooth jazz. trumpeters, and Paul Yoder's independent release shows definite breakthrough potential. The good news is that while his horn style is as crisp and cool as those masters, he stands out from the pack by surrOWlding his melodies with gritty cutting edge rock and hip-hop production.

"Sadeness" opens with floating atmospheres and spacey sound effects before evolving into a thick-grooving jam blending Yoder's soaring horn with Michael Hakes' simmering rock guitar and a symphonic ambience. Hakes, along with second electric guitarist Brian Price, turn up the rock and roll fire for "True Faith," which finds Yoder playing his melodic lines over an aggressive drum groove.

Mainstream radio listeners will find a gentler oasis on the easygoing seduction "Black Cat, Black Hat," which lets the trumpeter strut his stuff without all the hoopla, or the lively, swinging "Hypnotize," the catchiest tune of the bunch, which will remind listeners of Adams' most appealing work. The cleverly titled "Cruisin' 4-A Fusion" combines the best of both approaches, incorporating rock elements but in a subtler way which allows Yoder's punchy horn to take center stage. There is much to admire overall! - Jonathan Widran

Dude can sing! He plays progressive rock with jazzy undertones that would fit in nicely in any smokey bar in some big city's downtown area. The '90's had Gregorian chants and the middle of this decade has become riddled with revisits to the glorious '80's. Paul Thomas Yoder is no stranger to that idea with his soaring guitar harmonies that would see The Edge looking deeply over his shoulder.

While the trumpet parades back and forth over top of the electronic mixes, you'll start to wonder if you're not watching a late night movie on Skin-e-max. But that doesn't speak towards the quality of the songs whatsoever - in fact the songs are tight and imaginative - it's just that it delves into this sexy atmosphere so well you barely have to close your eyes to envision the lusty ladies cavorting with men who wouldn't get a chance with these girls in real life. - JSin

PAUL THOMAS YODER WAS THE FIRST BRAVE SOUL TO SEND ME HIS CD FOR REVIEW ON THIS SITE.

PAUL'S CD SHOWED UP IN A VERY NICELY DONE PROMO KIT PACKAGE, WHICH INCLUDED HIS BIO, PLENTY OF REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK ON HIS CD, WRITE-UPS FROM MAGAZINES AND WEB SITES, AND SOME NICE PHOTOS. HIS PACKAGE WOULD BE A GREAT EXAMPLE ON HOW TO PUT TOGETHER A PROMO KIT FOR ANY ARTIST!

AS FAR AS THE MUSIC GOES, I LIKE IT QUITE A BIT! IF YOU ARE BORED OF ALBUMS FROM INSTRUMENTALISTS WHERE EVERY SONG SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME OLD SMOOTH JAZZ FORMULA, THEN VOU WILL WELCOME THE VERY NICE VARIETY OF MUSIC AND STYLES THAT PAUL HAS PROVIDED ON DREAMIN'.

ACCORDING TO PAUL'S OWN BIO THAT HE SENT ME IN HIS PROMO KIT, THIS PROJECT WAS NEARLY 3 YEARS IN THE MAKING, AND COMBINES SUCH MUSICAL GENRES AS SMOOTH JAZZ, '80S POP, ROCK, FUSION AND EVEN ELEMENTS OF METAL. PLUS, IT'S NOT ALL INSTRUMENTAL EITHER...THERE ARE SOME VOCAL TRACKS ON THE CD AS WELL.

I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE FACT THAT THE TRUMPET SOUND IS NOT THE SAME ON EVERY SONG (ANOTHER THING THAT BOTHERS ME WITH SOME SMOOTH JAZZ CDS). PAUL CHANGES UP HIS SOUND QUITE A BIT ON THE CD, FROM UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL, TO A SLIGHTLY DISTANT ROOMY TONE, TO EVEN SOME HEAVILY PROCESSED SOUNDS. THIS IS NOT A CD THAT'S GOING TO LULL YOU TO SLEEP WITH THE SAME SOUNDS AND INSTRUMENTATION ON EACH CUT.
THE MUSICIANSHIP ACROSS THE BOARD IS GREAT ON THIS CD. PAUL WORKED WITH SOME OF THE BEST MUSICIANS IN THE L.A. AREA, AND IT SHOWS. THERE ARE SOME REALLY KILLER GROOVES ON THIS CD AND REALLY TIGHT PLAYING.

MOST OF THE SONGS ON THE CD ARE COVER SONGS, AND PAUL PUT TOGETHER QUITE AN ECLECTIC AND SOMEWHAT AMBITIOUS COLLECTION! I THOUGHT THE COVER OF ENIGMA'S SADENESS WAS AN ESPECIALLY BRAVE UNDERTAKING FOR A TRUMPET PLAYER, BUT I REALLY ENJOYED PAUL'S TAKE ON THAT ONE. PAUL'S ORIGINAL SONG, "CRUISIN' 4-A FUSION," WAS ALSO A STAND OUT, AND IS A VERY HIGH-ENERGY PIECE.

CONSIDERING THIS PROJECT WAS DONE OVER ALMOST 3 YEARS, AND OBVIOUSLY IN A VARIETY OF STUDIOS WITH DIFFERENT ENGINEERS, IT TURNED OUT VERY WELL. - Stephen Sherrard, Greg Adams' Studio Engineer

Paul Thomas Yoder - Dreamin' (3 stars out of 4)

His CD can be described as shades of Santana with a touch of Maynard Ferguson blended in. There are some good tracks on this CD. "Black Cat, Black Hat" is a smooth blend of jazz and adult contemporary genres. The track "Crusin' 4-A Fusion" is clearly the best recording on the CD. Being that it's the only original track, it showcases Yoder's writing and arranging ability....theCD is great to listen if you love jazz trumpet. l enjoyed his playing. Consider purchasing this album!! - Smooth Jazz And More Radio - NY

In the realm of smooth jazz ideology, the lines connecting the dots of where one style of music begins and the other drops off are not clearly defined. That is due in part to the measure of influences that an artist chooses to draw upon when deciding to record an album. When the decision is made to record a smooth jazz album, he or she may choose to include pop, rock, R&B, soul, classic jazz, fusion or other styles of music to make a creative statement. With that being said, the possibility of a smooth jazz album becoming something other than what is meant to be offered can easily occur. In a CD entitled Dreamin by trumpeter Paul Thomas Yoder, the lines are definitely crossed between one style of music to the other.

First and foremost, Paul Thomas Yoder is a pretty decent trumpet player. His command of the instrument is very apparent within the confines of his latest release. His sound is crisp and smooth in an environment that can be light and airy at best, as well as picturesque at various times along the way. In other areas, Paul displays incredible saavy in his inclusion of pop, rock, fusion and a degree of heavy metal music on what is billed as a smooth jazz offering. In the overall scheme of what is happening on Dreamin, Paul has pushed the envelope of the expected. In other words, Paul has incorporated the elements of many different styles and the inclusion of subtle vocalese to display an incredible matrix of trumpet and flugelhorn skills. Although Dreamin has been recorded under the guise of smooth jazz, Paul has given the release an alter-ego in the scope of his overall message.

In the purest sense and when examining Paul Thomas Yoder's latest release in totality, Dreamin is not in a stand alone smooth jazz category. If the CD has to be classified at all, it is more appropriate to file Paul's unique offering under fusion. Because the CD is not the usual generic response to any perceived ideology, everything about the album is uniquely qualified to be different by most standards. At a glance, which includes the first and second track, Paul's direction is not entirely clear; however, on the remaining tracks Yoder pulls it all together with considerable flair and creativity. In retrospect, Dreamin is a very inviting release and enjoys the luxury of many different dynamics to draw upon. Paul Thomas Yoder's choice of musicians as a collective are just as complementary. Each in his own way brings an eclectic interpretive response to Paul's creative focus. 

Dreamin is a special blend of charismatic musical responses to a variety of influences. The CD is melodic and seductive in some respects, as well as engaging in approach. Paul's presentation is a musical experience waiting to happen and proves that jazz comes in a variety of flavors. - Sheldon T. Nunn

IT'S THE 80's, POST ROCK AND GLAM ROCK CROWDS DREAM COME TRUE. TRUMPETER/FLUGELHORN PLAYER, PAUL THOMAS YODER, THE SOUTHERN CAL NATIVE, HAS REACHED ACROSS MUSIC GENRES TO BRING TO THE SMOOTH JAZZ LISTENER AN ECLECTIC COLLECTION OF TUNES THAT HE SAYS WAS DESIGNED TO SHAKE UP THE SMOOTH JAZZ WORLD. AND, JUDGING FROM THE FAVORABLE REVIEWS DREAMIN' HAS RECEIVED FROM OUTFITS LIKE SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS AND SMOOTHJAZZ.COM, HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED HIS GOAL.

PAUL'S FORAY INTO THE MUSIC ARENA HAS GREAT POTENTIAL AS A BREAKTHROUGH RECORDING. WITH OFFERINGS LIKE BLACK CAT, BLACK HAT, A SWEET MELLOW PIECE AND CRUSIN' 4-A FUSION, A YODER ORIGINAL AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE, ALLOW THE TRUMPETER TO SHOW US WHAT HE'S WORKING WITH.

DREAMIN' - VISUALLY AND AUDIBLY STUNNING; A NEW MUSIC EXPERIENCE FOR THE PROGRESSIVE SMOOTH JAZZ LISTENER. CHECK IT OUT!!! - Abyss Jazz Magazine

BY R.A.LOVKA
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Exploring the outer limits in both space and music, Paul Thomas Yoder is a rare combination of right-brain creativity that extends over the world of science and the modern earthy jazz scene.

Yoder, a consulting Unix Engineer for the Cassini Project at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge or Pasadena (the location depends on whom you ask), finds no contradiction in straddling two worlds.

The JPL work gives me a chance to stretch my mental muscles, as well as provide financial underpinning for my musical endeavors, he says. I can't think of a better way to mix my logical side with my artistic side.

That artistic side is in the family genes.

Yoder's mother was a concert violinist with many symphony orchestras, including work performed under the director of renowned conductor, Carmen Dragon. At age four, Paul took up the violin. That lasted about one month; it was basically so heinous I didn't want to pursue that any more, he recalled. He then quickly grew fascinated with the trumpet.

He was a natural.

Formal music lessons followed, and by his middle school years and his high school days at Sierra Madre's Maranatha School, Yoder was making noteworthy advances with his music.

Taking more than 100 first-place medals from the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association in his formative years.

Yoder also was principal trumpet in the Pasadena Junior Symphony, played at the 1984 Olympics with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Herald Trumpets, and toured professionally nationwide and in Europe with the Continental Orchestra - at age 15! Following that, he hooked up with a number of big bands and orchestras, including gigs with Les Brown for performances at Disneyland, and the Ashley Williams Orchestra, whose music was in the genre of the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies.

Today, Yoder's approach can be best described as jazz fusion, blending elements of soft jazz, rock and experimental phrasing and chords into a rhythmic blend. Smooth jazz, but with a little more of a bite to it, as he puts it.

Yoder stretches the soft jazz genre into more complex jazz motifs, and underlays it with rock, new age and straight-ahead jazz. He's a master of the trumpet, coronet and flugelhorn, influenced by such notable stylists as Maynard Ferguson, Rick Braun, Greg Adams and John Faddis.

Yoder's newly released CD, "Dreamin", is garnering attention and a lot of airplay in Europe, Australia, and Canada. Radio stations in Mexico are scheduling interviews. The sound is definitely fusion-oriented with electric keyboard and guitar, even though the title song was based on a rock heavy metal piece! "We've transformed it into a smooth jazz, pop-type piece with vocal," he explains.

Talk about the outer limits and back!

Yoder is landing in Sierra Madre with his dynamic group "Cruisin' 4-A Fusion", in concert Saturday, Feb. 5 at Bethany Church's Performing Arts Center.. Local jazz wizard, guitarist Eric Byak is on board with the group, along with eclectic drummer Thomas Beachman and keyboardist extraordinaire John Wells. Keeping the Foothills connection happening that evening, Altadena saxman Robert Kyle and his heralded jazz group, Braziliando, will also appear.

To learn more about this homegrown artist, visit his official website at www.paulthomasyoder.com. - R.A. Lovka, Reporter