Pauly Zarb
Pauly Zarb
Singer/Songwriter/Multi Instrumentalist
Pauly’s love of music began at an early age. Being the youngest of six boys in a musical family, Pauly was totally immersed in music as a natural part of his childhood. Growing up on acreage at Cranebrook, on the edge of the Hawkesbury River and in the shadow of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, just outside Sydney, Australia, Pauly was exposed to many diverse styles of music from classical to instrumental and from modern groups such as ELO and Chicago to international ethnic groups.
The freedom and space of Cranebrook mirrored that of his musical world. Pauly’s family loved to experiment, improvise and express themselves with their music. At Vincent Road, they lived and breathed music. The end result for Pauly was a deep resonance and love of music that reflects itself in his music today.
As a boy, Pauly’s musical journey continued through Suzuki lessons in violin, classical piano and classical flute which fine-tuned his ear. Throughout his school days, Pauly was involved in marching bands and concert bands. Singing was integral to the family’s music and Pauly developed a beautiful melodic voice. There was always a guitar hanging around at Cranebrook to be picked up and played and many older brothers to learn from. Pauly’s mastery of the acoustic guitar lends an irresistible sound and rhythm to his music.
Pauly has had a long love for percussion. The sounds and rhythms of African drums get his soul moving. Pauly has developed his natural percussion rhythms through playing instruments, such as African drums, wooden drums, Arabic drums and congas.
Pauly’s determination and strength of character have seen him make the most of his musical opportunities. From pubs and clubs on the Sydney scene to resort island gigs on the Great Barrier Reef; from the famous Gympie Muster in Queensland to the music scene in Kentucky and the United States, Pauly’s wide experiences and his sensitivity have combined to produce a diverse singer/songwriter and multi-instrumental performer. Pauly’s solo act is an amazing experience. He combines all the instruments he loves to play into a full-band sound. In Pauly’s concerts, you may hear haunting Irish flute sounds, beautiful keyboard rolls and percussive rhythms from the congas, kick drum and hi hat, blended with crisp acoustic guitar. If you listen carefully, you will hear the soul of a true artist in his many original songs.
“I love to create music in the same way an orchestra performs. My music always has multiple layers of feeling, variation, sounds, rhythms, improvisations and beautiful sounding notes. My wish is for my music to transport the listener to places that are individually breathtaking and secret, to expand inner spaces in their psyches. I’ve always loved playing music because of its ability to take you to those unknown spaces. The desire to find that special place every time I play is my life commitment. Music is a gift and as such, it is always meant to be given to the listener.”
Pauly’s aim is to inspire his audience, to give them a glimpse and a taste of wonderful possibilities that exist within themselves. Through a sublime ability to mix and match the emotional energies of different instruments with his unique songs, Pauly’s energy and passion flow on to his listeners, like water from a spring.
Pauly’s latest recording is an EP of two original songs - “Have a Little Faith” and “Forgiven Past”. Both recordings have a full-band arrangement with fantastic musicians playing on the EP. In 2004/05. Pauly performed and launched these songs for the first time on television for the K.E.T Program and Live at Lunch on WFPK Radio station in Louisville, Kentucky with his brother Matt on mandolin and guitar and good friend Matt Despain on dobro.
“I wrote both these songs over a year ago and it was time to record them. My brother Matt, who I've done so much with in my life, again played his heart out on mandolin guitar and stomp box. Add to Matt’s amazing energy, the spirit and expertise of Steve Hewlett on his amazing seven strings funky bass, Kenneth Tate’s impeccable timing on drums and the Bluegrass feel from Matty Despain’s dobro playing, and you have all the right ingredients for the songs.”
Pauly has performed throughout Australia with successful bands and has always intended taking his music throughout the world. Pauly’s global musical journey started once again with his family, this time his brother Matt. In 2000, Pauly joined up with his brother Matt and formed a successful duo together. See www.mattandpaulyzarb.com for more details.
In August 2001, Pauly and Matt were invited as nominees to attend the Queensland Sunny Music Awards in Brisbane, Australia for their album “Vincent Road.” They received the Best Folk Album award.
Pauly’s song ‘For the Love of a Child’ was also nominated and highly commended in the ‘Song Writing Category.’ Matt and Pauly have recorded four CDs together: “Brothers in Shorts 2000,” “Vincent Road 2001,” “Live Album 2002” and “Chameleon 2003.”
Pauly decided to make the move to Bardstown, Kentucky, USA in 2002 where he and his brother Matt now live. Since living in Bardstown, Matt and Pauly have opened shows for Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, Sam Bush, Little Feat, Goose Creek Symphony, Delbert McClinton and Tommy Emmanuel. Pauly has also hit his musical straps and continues to excel and be in high demand.
Pauly and Matt co-originated and co-organized “The Zarb Brothers’ Annual Bardstown Street Concert” on July 3 each year. This event has been running for three years and audiences have grown to over 4000 people. In addition to Matt and Pauly, a host of Australian and Kentuckian musicians have performed at this concerts.
In January 2004, Pauly got together with Pat Kirtley (1995 national finger style guitar champion) for a month of song writing sessions. They shared their music and wrote some songs together. In December 2004, they recorded and produced a CD together called “Contrast”. Pauly performed in Los Angeles, California accompanying Pat at the NAMM international music trade show with Taylor Guitars and also at the Chet Atkins Convention in Nashville.
In June 2004, Pauly played on his brother Matt’s album, “Hillbilly Bride,” available at www.mattzarb.com.
In January 2005, Pauly also played on Antsy McClain’s album “Time-Sweetend Lies” along with a host of other musicians such as brother Matt Zarb, Tommy Emmanuel, Pat Kirtley, Bobby Cochran and Lindsey Buckingham, formerly of Fleetwood Mac. Pauly also accompanied Antsy McClain and Bobby Cochran at a live studio recording in September 2005 at Trinity Music Productions.
Pauly Zarb’s musical instruments include vocals, piano, keyboard, flute, tin whistle, pan pipes, guitar, percussion and accordion. He is available as a solo performer or a session musician. Pauly is able to put together a band around him for bigger events.