Paul Bryan (born April 13, 1967) is an American music producer, arranger, songwriter, and bassist. He is a longtime collaborator of the singer-songwriter Aimee Mann.
Contents
Biography
Music production and arranging
Bryan produced four albums by the 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 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$el Gems is a progressive jazz album co-produced by Jeff Parker of Tortoise.
In 2021 Bryan released A Better Ghost, a collaboration with saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi of Twin Talk and drummer/composer Jeremy Cunningham. Downbeat Magazine gave the album 4 stars. calling it a "moodily poetic and genre-bending jewel." Mojo magazine also gave the record 4 stars, calling it a "less-is-more triumph".
Grammy Award
Bryan received a 2017 Grammy as producer of Aimee Mann's Mental Illness, which won Best Folk Record.
Personal life
Bryan has been in a relationship with actress Emily Procter since 2008. On December 8, 2010, Procter gave birth to their daughter, Philippa Frances (called "Pippa"). Bryan lost his home and recording studio in the 2025 Palisades Fire.
Discography
Solo albums
2003: Handcuff King (The Bats Is Happy)
2020: Cri$el Gems (self-released)
2021: Dustin Laurenzi, Jeremy Cunningham, Paul Bryan – A Better Ghost (Northern Spy)
With Aimee Mann
2004: Live at St. Ann's Warehouse (SuperEgo) CD, DVD – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
2005: The Forgotten Arm (V2) – bass, backing vocals
2006: One More Drifter in the Snow (SuperEgo) – producer, bass
2008: Fucking Smilers (SuperEgo) – producer, bass, backing vocals, horn arrangements
2012: Charmer (SuperEgo) – producer, bass, mellotron, backing vocals
2017: Mental Illness (SuperEgo) – producer, arranger, conductor, bass, vocals
As producer
1997: Carol Noonan Band – The Only Witness (Philo)
2000: Dennis Brennan – Rule No. 1 (Esca)
2001: Tess Wiley – Rainy Day Assembly (Effanel Music)
2002: Grey Eye Glances – A Little Voodoo (Sojourn Hill)
2002: Gerry Leonard – The Light Machine (Indie)
2004: Kenny White – Symphony in 16 Bars (Wildflower)
2006: Aimee Mann – One More Drifter In The Snow (Super Ego)
2008: Aimee Mann – @#%&*! Smilers (Super Ego)
2009: Grant Lee Phillips – Little Moon (YepRoc)
2009: Amy Correia – You Go Your Way (Indie)
2010: Nina Nastasia – Outlaster (Fat Cat)
2011: Gaby Moreno – Illustrated Songs (Indie)
2012: Aimee Mann – Charmer (Super Ego)
2012: Lindsay Fuller – You Anniversary (ATO)
2012: Tanita Tikaram – Can't Go Back (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
2014: The Both – The Both (SuperEgo)
2016: Jeff Parker – The New Breed (International Anthem)
2016: Jenny Gillespie – Cure for Dreaming (Narooma)
Also appears on
1992: Duke Levine – Nobody's Home (Daring) – bass
1993: Albert Washington – Step It Up and Go (Iris Musique) – bass
1994: Duke Levine – Country Soul Guitar (Daring) – bass
1994: Jennifer Trynin – Cockamamie (Warner Bros.) – bass
1995: Mighty Sam McClain – Keep on Movin' (Audioquest) – bass
1999: Merrie Amsterburg – Season Of Rain (Zoë) – bass
1999: Catie Curtis – A Crash Course in Roses (Rykodisc) – organ, djembe, shaker, percussion, bass
2000: Merrie Amsterburg – Little Steps (Zoë) – bass, synthesizer, congas)
2000: Dennis Brennan – Rule No. 1 (Esca) – vocals, piano, chamberlin, percussion, bass, organ, horn arrangements, Optigan
2002: Dan Zanes and friends – Night Time! (Festival Five) – bass
2004: Eugene Ruffolo – The Hardest Easy (k5Oats Music) – bass
2005: Bettye LaVette – I've Got My Own Hell to Raise (ANTI-) – bass
2005: Susan Tedeschi – Hope and Desire (Verve Forecast) – bass
2005: Martha Wainwright – Martha Wainwright (Zoë) – bass, keyboards
2006: Norah Jones – Not Too Late (Blue Note) – keyboards on track 3, "The Sun Doesn't Like You"