Although at home in a variety of musical styles, Cork Trombonist/Composer/Arranger, Paul Dunlea concentrates primarily on Jazz and Improvisation. This has furthered his reputation as one of Irelands most in demand musicians.

Dunlea has performed/toured/recorded with the likes of Michael Bublé, Cassandra Wilson, Frankie Valli, Liam O'Maonlaoi, Mick Flannery, Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Bryce Dressner (The National), Lewis Nash, Peter Washington, Billy Drummond, David O' Rourke's O' Rourkestra, Sachal Vadsandani, John Clayton, RTE Concert Orchestra, The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, The New Irish Jazz Orchestra, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Hot House Big Band, Freezeroom & Brian Deady.

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Dunlea is a graduate of the CIT Cork School of music holding both a bathelors degree in trombone performance and a masters degree in composition. He has held the chair of principle trombone with the Band 1 Brigade - Irish Defence Forces since 2001.

 

2011 saw the released his debut album ‘Bi-polAr’ to critical acclaim - reaching #1 in the iTunes chart.  2016 saw the release of his second album 'Fraternal' recorded at the renowned Bunker Studios, 

 

Brooklyn, NY featuring bassist Peter Washington, drummer Billy Drummond, guitarist David O’ Rourke (co-leader) & Cork’s Cormac McCarthy. Paul's third album is due out in early 2019.

In 2013 Dunlea established his own big band as a creative outlet for his own compositions. To date, the band has performed sell out shows across the country in venues such as The Opera House, Cork, The Grand

 

Opera House, Belfast & The Everyman Theatre - Cork along with headlining the 2015 Cork & Limerick Jazz Festivals. Entire concerts have also been broadcast nationally on both RTE and BBC radio. Dunlea is also musical director of the New Irish Jazz Orchestra.

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​As well as writing for his own various groups and ensembles, Dunlea's compositions and arrangements have been performed by New Irish Jazz Orchestra, Martin Hayes,The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, Hothouse Big band, Crisis Point Big Band, Larry McKenna, Tony Miceli, Stan Sulzmann, Julien Seigel, Gwilym Simcock, Cathal Coughlan, Camille O' Sullivan, Dana Masters, Gareth Dunlop, Niall McCabe, Laoise Leahy, Anna Mitchell, Jack O'Rourke, Brian Deady, The Frank & Walters, Band of An Garda Siochana, Defence Forces Bands-Ireland, Cork School of Music Symphony Orchestra & CSM Wind Ensemble. He has also written/arranged for countless theatre productions, groups and recording artists including Mick Flannery's two number 1 albums - "Red To Blue" (2012 EMI records) & By The Rule (2014 EMI Records)

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Dunlea is an artist for Edwards Instruments