Paul Bryan (born April 13, 1967) is an American music producer, arranger, songwriter, and bassist.

Biography

Music production and arranging

Bryan produced four albums by singer-songwriter Aimee Mann: One More Drifter in the Snow (SuperEgo Records, 2006), @#%&*! Smilers (SuperEgo Records, 2008), Charmer (SuperEgo Records, 2012) and 2017 Grammy winner Mental Illness (SuperEgo Records, 2017). He also produced Grant Lee Phillips' album Little Moon (Yep Roc Records, 2009), Amy Correia's You Go Your Way (2010), the band The Both's self-titled album on Super Ego Records featuring Ted Leo and Aimee Mann, the Glen Phillips album Swallowed by the New (2015), Jennifer Gillespie's Cure For Dreaming (2015), and tracks with Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles. He was also producer, bassist and mixer for Jeff Parker's 2015 record The New Breed and its companion piece, 2020's Suite for Max Brown. Bryan wrote the string and woodwind arrangements for Nina Nastasia's critically acclaimed album Outlaster (Fat Cat Records, 2010).

Touring and session work

Bryan is a longtime member and bassist of Aimee Mann's touring band. He toured with Lucinda Williams in 2006 and Elvis Costello/Allen Toussaint in 2007, also appearing that year on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as backup to singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Bryan toured in 2017 and 2018 as a member of jazz guitarist Jeff Parker's New Breed band, and as a bassist and singer with Rufus Wainwright's All These Poses Tour in 2018 and 2019. He is also a member of Gerry Leonard's Spooky Ghost. Bryan has recorded with artists Sam Phillips, Norah Jones, Billy Preston, Ann Peebles, Irma Thomas and Mavis Staples.

Solo work

Bryan also released a solo album of lyric-driven songs, Handcuff King (The Bats Is Happy Records, 2004). His 2020 self-release Cri$el Gems is a progressive jazz album co-produced by Jeff Parker of Tortoise. In 2021 Bryan released A Better Ghost, a collaboration with saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi of Twin Talk and drummer/composer Jeremy Cunningham. Downbeat Magazine gave the album 4 stars. calling it a "moodily poetic and genre-bending jewel." Mojo magazine also gave the record 4 stars, calling it a "less-is-more triumph".

Songwriting

Bryan frequently writes with songwriter Aimee Mann, and is said to be co-authoring a musical based on Mann's 2007 concept album The Forgotten Arm.

Grammy Award

Bryan received a 2017 Grammy as producer of Aimee Mann's Mental Illness, which won Best Folk Record.

Personal life

Bryan has been in a relationship with actress Emily Procter since 2008. On December 8, 2010, Procter gave birth to their daughter, Philippa Frances (called "Pippa").

Discography

Solo albums

With Aimee Mann

As producer

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