Paul Hanson & Raze the Maze - Calliope (2024)

Paul Hanson has redefined the possibilities of the bassoon, a traditionally classical instrument, by bringing it into new realms of jazz, rock, and world music. His career has spanned collaborations with musical legends such as Jon Batiste, Wayne Shorter, Béla Fleck, and Billy Cobham, among others. Known for his improvisational genius and technical prowess, Hanson has also performed bassoon concertos with the San Francisco Symphony Parnassus, Oakland Symphony, and Napa Symphony. He notably created his own role as an electric bassoonist for Cirque du Soleil’s ZED in Tokyo. His reputation as an innovator has only grown, with critics praising his ability to "transform the bassoon from a symphony orchestra instrument into a viable workhorse for extended solos."

Raze The Maze: The Sound Architects.
Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, Raze The Maze is a progressive rock band led by composer and bassist Tarik Ragab and vocalist/arranger Moorea Dickason. Known for their previous work with MoeTar, the duo has earned a reputation for pushing musical boundaries with catchy hooks, blistering riffs, and intellectually engaging lyrics. In CALLIOPE, they bring these elements together with Hanson’s electric bassoon for an unprecedented collaboration that fuses progressive rock’s complexity with the improvisational freedom of jazz.

Together, Paul Hanson and Raze The Maze have created an album that doesn’t just defy genre—it redefines it. From hypnotic grooves to expansive solos, CALLIOPE is a bold musical statement that will captivate and challenge listeners. "Beautifully complicated, like the intoxicating and wild ride of your first relationship". " Brain melting, Intoxicating, Infectious, Pyrotechnic, Electrifying.