Paul Geary hails from Leicester, UK and began playing bass relatively late (around 17), after teaching himself in a gospel church setting. He went on to earn honors degrees from Berklee College of Music and the Bass Institute of Technology (now part of Musicians Institute) in the U.S. He got his professional start in the early 1990s with Nik Kershaw, then quickly became a top-tier session and touring bassist. In 1993, he was named "Best New Musician" by the British Music Association. Over the years he has performed and recorded with artists like Chris Rea, George Michael and Simply Red. Since 1994, he is also a respected educator.
Punchy tone
Paul, influenced by Mark Miller and Mark King, is renowned for his tasteful, song‑serving playing, combining style versatility with impeccable timing. He delivers a warm, punchy tone whether playing with the thumb or a pick, often through his preferred instruments like Overwater and Music Man basses and amplification from Ampeg or Aguilar. His excellent technique emphasizes relaxed posture and ergonomics; he believes tension hinders groove, advising students to stay loose even when tackling fast and/or complicated parts. Though highly adaptable across pop, soul, rock, R&B and blues, what stands out most is his deep groove, clarity and ability to anchor a band precisely without overplaying.
