Paul Plimley – Sam Sullivan’s Public Salon – Feb 8th, 2018
Paul was invited to deliver an Artist Talk and play piano as part of the 30th Public Salon presented by Sam Sullivan at the Playhouse Theatre in Vancouver. Mr. Sullivan is a former Mayor of Vancouver, in office December 5, 2005 – December 8, 2008.
Paul enjoyed playing solo piano for this enthusiastic audience, who welcomed him after a short introduction by Mr. Sullivan.
Description of the Public Salon Video on You Tube
934 views 23 Feb 2018
Vancouver, BC, Canada’s jazz and improvisational pianist Paul Plimley explains his great love for music. Best solo yet.
For the past 40 years, Paul Plimley has been actively developing his music out of the continuum of American and European music traditions – composition and improvisation. Playing piano, guitar, and vibes/marimba he’s toured with many great internationally acclaimed improvisers and ensembles in North America, Europe, China and Cuba. Plimley has released over 30 recordings and three BRAVO TV music presentations. Paul has won awards in computer multimedia, various music magazines and books (eg: Down Beat, Gramophone, JazzIZ, Jazz Times and the Penguin Guide To Jazz), FACTOR and the Canada Council. His many hundreds of compositions cover all media: orchestra, Big Bands, small groups, solo piano/vibraphone/guitar, CD ROM, and movie soundtracks. As a writer, he has written poetry, comedy sketches, two radio plays and several dozens or so narratives/stories covering dream-like and imaginary actions.
This is Paul Plimley’s presentation at Sam Sullivan’s 30th Public Salon on February 8th, 2018 at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre in Vancouver, BC.
Paul Plimley was a great musician, pianist, and a kind soul. We had many fun and exciting times making music and touring Canada and the US together in our trio with Lisle Ellis.
Paul was always happy and we had lots of laughter and joking around during our periods of creativity. Our recording, NOIR was one of my first recordings after leaving Cecil Taylor’s band, and it included compositions from Paul, Lisle and me. For a time it was quite a happy collective. Paul was very open minded and highly intelligent, something that contributed greatly to our friendship and our collaborative efforts.
We shared interests in Captain Beefheart, Allan Holdsworth and much guitar-based music. He was also a foodie and we often geeked out on exotic chocolates and the like. Paul was a rare talent and what I refer to as a “rugged individualist.” I will miss him.
“I have a long history with Paul Plimley along with the Vancouver music scene. It goes back to the middle eighties! So many concerts, meetings in Victoriaville and Vancouver… I even slept on the floor, in Paul’s basement… under his piano! Here I made a little joke part true, part fun because that’s as Paul will be remembered, as a great musician, but more importantly, as a great human being, so positive, always smiling and ready to help out and to solve the problems if any. Paul Plimley and Ken Pickering together, what a good time!”
Michel
Ken Pickering and Paul Plimley at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival Photo by Brian Nation
Michel Levasseur
Directeur général et artistique
Productions Plateforme Inc. Tél : 1.819.752.7912 Fax : 819.758.4370
CP 460, 82 Notre-Dame Est, Victoriaville, Québec, Canada, G6P 6T3
2004 Paul Plimley and Biggi Vinkeloe making music in Sweden. Photo Credit: Michael Thorén
I remember Paul Plimley very vividly from us working together with Cecil Taylor on the score for Legba Crossing in Berlin. We were both members of Cecil Taylor’s Workshop Band, rehearsing in 1988 at the Kongresshalle (also an iconic concrete building). Everyone was so focused and attentive to C.T.
The ensemble had mostly German musicians, but there were musicians from other countries too: Peeter Uuskyla, drums from Sweden; Daniel Werts, oboe from the USA, myself Biggi Vinkeloe from France; and Paul Plimley from Canada; and also Trudy Morse, vocals from the USA.
Daniel Werts, the oboe player, also transcribed the Legba Crossing performance, and added an analysis of the material. Lukas Lindenmaier, the drummer, transcribed Cecil Taylor’s instructions.
We rehearsed the piece so many times, I still remember the feeling and the excitement of it. Paul’s piano is distinct and clear. The first sax solo on the extract on Bandcamp is me playing. On this recording, cover, pictured below, the credit calls me Brigitte Vinkeloe.
At our first day, Cecil Taylor asked everyone to play a short solo piece – a nerve racking experience. I was so impressed by Paul, his fluidity, his sense of harmony and rhythm. Paul asked always a lot of questions, often the ones that others would have liked to ask but did not dare (true for me, at least).
The days with C.T. were intense and long, but also energizing and wonderful. Paul was the perfect pianist for this ensemble. I remember that I admired the fact that he dared to play and develop his ideas so freely. Even while being so free, Paul managed to stay within the given framework, with the master Cecil Taylor listening to everything with big ears and infallibly pointing out if anyone played outside his compositional intentions.
I also talked recently with Peeter Uuskyla, he and I have been working together since the workshop with Cecil Taylor 1988. He remembers that Paul had attended a workshop for pianists with Cecil Taylor just prior to Legba Crossing. He said that Paul had also attended a workshop with Han Bennink.
These Cecil Taylor recordings are important contributions to music history. Legba Crossing has resurged a few weeks ago, and got a lot of great reviews. I don’t know how often Paul has performed as part of a large ensemble, but this one is really so special. It is the only well documented ensemble conducted by Cecil Taylor himself, and Paul is on the piano.
July 1999 Vancouver International Jazz Festival
The Biggi Vinkeloe Trio was invited by Ken Pickering personally after a concert we did in New York City. Peeter Uuskyla, drums and the master bassist Barre Phillips and myself stayed for a couple of weeks in Vancouver, playing several concerts and leading a workshop. Next, we traveled to Victoria, on Vancouver Island for another concert at the Victoria Jazz Festival. This concert was with the Biggi Vinkeloe Trio featuring Barre Phillips. We did our last concert for the jazz festival in Vancouver, recording as a quartet with bassist Ken Filiano.
We attended many concerts, among those a concert featuring Paul Plimley. I really loved his playing, his virtuosity, his great sense of harmony, his storytelling through the piano.
We did not perform on stage together, but Paul invited us to his home. We spent a day with him, playing, talking, also recalling our time in Berlin 11 years earlier. It did not seem that we had not had so much contact throughout all these years. We found common ground immediately – that is the true magic of connecting through music with each other, it always leaves deep intuitive knowledge about each other that you can always relate to even many years later.
The Bay Area, USA
Lisle Ellis and Paul Plimley have been so close to each other in music and in life. Lisle and I have known each other since I first traveled to the Bay Area in 1996 and we have been very close ever since. This was also one way of getting always news from Paul, and feel connected this way.
Sometimes, Paul would call me in Sweden, sometimes at impossible hours, due to the time difference – and forgetting about it. We had long interesting talks about music, about how to create new music and how to connect on a deep level with each other through improvisation.
I attended a few concerts with Paul and Lisle playing – what a beautiful intense creative duo! I always thought I would love to play with both of them. I did two recordings with Lisle and many concerts.
2016 REV Live at Gold Lion Arts – Click image to visit the Bandcamp page
Biggi Vinkeloe with Lisle Ellis and Don Robinson in USA
2004 Sweden, in and around Gothenburg
Lisle and Paul had some concerts in Europe and Lisle wanted to seize the opportunity to come to Sweden – finally! I set up a duo concert at the former sugar plant converted into a new art gallery, Röda Sten in Gothenburg, where they performed amid an exhibition and a fashion show. A quite epic experience, for everyone, as it was not the usual stage – audience experience.
I also set up a few concerts for a quartet, with Paul, Lisle, Don Robinson, drums; and myself on sax and flute, among others we performed at the Gothenburg Art Museum.
2004 Concert by REV+ in Sweden.2004 Concert by REV+, plus Sten Löfman and his trio at the Gothenburg Museum of Art.
We performed at the Gothenburg Museum of Art mid-August in front of a large audience. Actually, it was a double bill, with Sten Löfman and his trio, the REV+ (Don, Robinson, Lisle Ellis, myself plus Paul Plimley). This concert was curated by Eld Records / Michael Thorén.
All the pictures are taken by Michael Thorén, sound engineer and label owner, who still had these in his archives.
Paul Plimley playing a Fender Rhodes at Konstmuseet Gothenburg, Sweden Photo Credit: Michael ThorénL=> R Biggi Vikeloe, Don Robinson, Lisle Ellis, Paul Plimley at Konstmuseet Gothenburg. Concert arranged by Eld Records Photo Credit: Michael ThorénPaul Plimley on Fender Rhodes piano Photo Credit: Michael ThorénL=> R Biggi Vikeloe, Don Robinson, Lisle Ellis, Paul Plimley Photo Credit: Michael ThorénThis photo taken from the producers of the concert: Eld Records website L=> R Paul Plimley, Biggi Vikeloe, Don Robinson, Lisle Ellis, Photo Credit: Michael Thorén
The next day was spent at Studio Fabriken, a recording studio and linked to the label Eld Records. An intense day, with music created directly in the studio.
Michael Thorén, who captured these photos, was also the studio owner and sound engineer at Studiofabriken. His label was Eld Records. I was associated to the label. But due to rising costs and difficulties with the distribution of the labels’s production, he had to make the tough decision to dissolve his label.
L=> R Sten Löfman piano trio opened in Gothenburg; Lisle Ellis, bass; Biggi Vinkeloe, sax/flute; Don Robinson, drums; Paul Plimley, piano; Photo Credit: Michael Thorén taken at Studiofabriken.
Sten Löfman who is on the picture above and below, is a wonderful and highly skilled pianist, with whom I like to collaborate. He came to listen to the recording and to connect with Paul, they had a lot to talk about (piano and music talk that is)!
L=> R Sten Löfman, Front: Michael Thorén, Rear: Lisle Ellis, Biggi Vikeloe, Don Robinson, Paul PlimleyPaul Plimley recording with REV+ in SwedenLisle Ellis recording with REV+ in Sweden.Biggi Vinkeloe recording with REV+ at Studiofabriken in Sweden
Bonnie Wright came along with Lisle Ellis to Sweden. She enjoyed the music and the hang with the musicians. In San Diego, her home city in California, she has a long history of presenting wonderful concerts.
Paul Plimley with Bonnie Wright, concert presenter from San Diego, USA.
In 2022, the recording made by REV+ in 2004 at Studiofabriken is not yet released. Now, releasing these recordings has become more difficult as it is on an older format tape. The machines to play back these tapes so they can be mixed and mastered are increasingly rare and expensive. Perhaps funding will be found to digitize the recordings that Paul made during his lifetime that are currently locked away in older formats. Then this music can be released and shared.
Mark Armanini and Paul Plimley, "Knife Edge: Two Piece", Photo credit Willy Miles-Grenzberg
By Mark Armanini
I first met Paul Plimley in 1982. We shared a concert program at the UBC Recital Hall. This meeting quickly turned into the founding of the Vancouver Pro Musica, which the first meeting included Paul Plimley, Paul Alexander (Nichols), Janine Oye, and Glenn Burr. From these post student days, Paul grew and developed his improvisational art and allowed me to witness his ever expanding ever maturing artistic vision. If I could summarize his path in two words they would be ‘musically adventurous’.
1984 Photo of the Vancouver ProMusica. L to R Front – Paul Plimley, Paul Nicholls, Amy Cheng, Rear- Mark Armanini, Richard Payne – Photo Credit: Graeme Elliot The Vancouver Sun, Sept. 20, 1984. Article published about the Vancouver ProMusica Society. Byline: Susan Mertens
Paul played every Jazz Festival in Vancouver from its inception and almost as many across Canada. Along the way was a memorable Jazz Festival opening in 1992 at 837 Davie Street (currently the address of the Canadian Music Centre) with Paul and Lisle Ellis, which was captured in the Laurie Gish photos from that day.
Over the next decade my interest in Paul’s artistry blossomed with greater insight into his depth, intensity, musical adventurism and technical freedom. Annual performances at the Jazz Festival continued to develop and point the way. His fearless accuracy, classical touch and full physical involvement were phenomenal, only to be fully appreciated in live performance.
I remember the instant positive reaction from Paul when I suggested we work on Fingertips to Freedom an improvised piano concerto. This is a work that pushed boundaries, challenging both Paul and the CBC Orchestra. Supported by the 2000 Jazz Festival, the Canada Council for the Arts, Producer Jon Siddall of the CBC, Artistic Director Ken Pickering and Financial Officer Robert Kerr, Fingertips to Freedom was premiered July 2, 2000 with John Zoltek conductor.
July 2, 2000 – Improvisations for Orchestra concert program cover. A showcase for Canadian composers – Fingertips To Freedom premiered as part of this concert presented by the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society in Vancouver.
One of the big audience supporters was surprizingly David Lemon, the former Magic Flute proprietor. Mr. Lemon compared the work to the premiere of the Beethoven 2nd piano concerto where the composer played the solo part from a sparsely scratched piano part, ie. largely improvised. This is my vision of Paul’s unique and world class artistry. Able to focus, listen and react spontaneously.
Together we were able to invent a paradoxical work : a totally scored orchestra part and totally improvised solo part where the soloist is following the orchestra (usually the orchestra follows the soloist).
Designed for maximum freedom to improvise, the work is able to change from performance to performance and to employ different solo instrument(s). The orchestral material from the first movement is contributed by myself and the second movement from Paul, enabling him to take the solo part into the stratosphere. The solo part in our recording is fully integrated into the orchestral framework.
After a 10 year wrestle and kufuffle in Canada after our Canada Council Recording grant was awarded, we were unable to lure any orchestra or the CBC to record the work. In 2015 we travelled to Prague, Czech Republic where the equally adventuresome Prague Modern ensemble recorded the work at Sono Recording Studio, which I believe is one of the highlights of Paul’s and my career.
2015 Paul Plimley and Mark Armanini at Sono Studio. Photo Credit: Ondřej MeleckýPaul Plimley with Marion Lajava, conductor of the Prague Modern. at Sono Studio. Photo Credit: Ondřej MeleckýFingertips to Freedom CD cover – Paul Plimley soloist with Prague Modern Orchestra2015 Front – Paul Plimley – Rear – David Daniel, leader of the Prague Modern, Mark Armanini, and Marion Lajava conductor; at Sono Studio. Photo Credit: Ondřej MeleckýPaul Plimley rehearsing on piano; at Sono Studio. Photo Credit: Ondřej MeleckýPaul Plimley, soloist with the Prague Modern Orchestra; at Sono Studio. Photo Credit: Ondřej Melecký
2007 China Tour with Mei Han Art Ensemble
Other notable adventures: Paul and I shared a 2007 tour to mainland China. An outstanding memory was a concert at the Nanjing Science and Technology University with Han Mei, zheng; Randy Raine-Reusch, multiple instruments; myself on bass, and Paul on piano.
2007 Tour of Mainland China in Hangzhou L to R – Randy Raine-Reusch, Paul Plimley, Dr. Tian Yaonong, Director, School of Music, Hangzhou Normal University, Mei Han and Mark Armanini Photo Credit: Liang Wei
With a young student audience, woefully deprived of any chance know what to expect or to listen to in abstract expressionist improvisation, they went wild for Paul. I remember clearly Paul being mobbed on stage after the performance by scores of young students in a natural spontaneous reaction to his freedom loving style.
2007 Tour of Mainland China – Paul with young fans in Hangzhou, China Photo Credit: Liang Wei
A direct and powerful communication style.
Over the past 40 years there have been many, many lovely times with Paul quietly playing guitar and bass together, travelling to Montana (land of the Dental Floss Tycoon) to visit John Zoltek and, I even painted Paul’s house on Waterloo Street.
Paul was one of the most widely listened and stylistically flexible musician I have known, from attending a live performance of Nikhil Banerjee, sitar at the UBC Recital Hall ( leading to his CD with Trinchy Sankaran) to the Beatles box set of Sgt Pepper, Frank Zappa’s Montana Dental Floss Tycoon, to the box set of the complete recorded works of Artur Rubenstein and the many recordings of Duke Ellington.
Paul took advantage of the recorded riches available today, riches that found his way into his playing in a natural and very contemporary way.
I see his unique artistic legacy be a reminder of his passion and uncompromising approach to loving life and art, to personal freedom, integrity and respect for life in all its forms, and armed with knowledge of the past yet unburdened and unbound by tradition.
Mark Armanini, December 2022
2010 Paul Plimley and Mark Armanini, Photo credit: Laurie Gish
Paul Plimley was that rare kind of individual that always lit up a room as he bounded in. I encountered him first when I came to join the Simon Fraser University Centre for the Arts Music program as a young faculty member in the early eighties. Paul was an ideal example of the mature, talented SFU student, a recent escapee from UBC with piercing blue eyes and endless inventiveness. He was overflowing with energy, open to everything, but also very advanced and sophisticated in his musical personality and thinking. He was fun to be around, and seemed to be enjoying the freedom of working in an interdisciplinary arts school with a contemporary focus. I worked with him as a composition teacher in that period, and it was delightful and animated, more like a friendly and spirited debate. There was always a lot of detailed back and forth in that dialogue and I can remember Paul telling me I had a weakness against octaves on the piano, as I tried to get him to consider to not use so many – we would laugh together about that!
Paul Plimley Photo Credit: Ken Newby
One of Paul’s close student colleagues back then was Kenneth Newby, and together they shared an interest in global music (including gamelan), dance, and innovative projects of all kinds. Paul was always a brilliant musician, with a refreshing and prolific mind that was ideally suited to improvisation and creation of all kinds. His music was many things including grace, athleticism, humour, joy, thoughtfulness, generosity to others, and playful connection to the world around him.
Of course, I had the pleasure to encounter Paul in all kinds of situations and admire and experience his work in many musical contexts over the years. It was always like no time had elapsed when we ran into each other. He was remarkable in having a lovely one-to-one connection between the way he lived in the world, and his music. Perhaps that was in part because of his honesty and unpretentiousness. Paul has made an extraordinary and rich musical contribution that is very distinctive and meaningful. He will be missed by many!
Owen Underhill Professor | School for the Contemporary Arts Simon Fraser University |
May 18, 2022, just after 11am in the morning Paul Plimley’s spirit departed from his body. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in December 2021 and even though he received the best possible care, he declined quickly.
Photo Credit: Brian Nation as published in the Georgia Straight May 19th, 2022
This entire website, and much of my work for the past couple of decades remain a tribute to my companion, Paul Plimley.
Thank you Paul for all the time we spent together.
No one expected Paul to go so quickly. As always, he gave his best and left us wanting more. This time there will be no encore. The finality of his passing cannot be changed no matter how much we applaud and make noise for the master musician. The stage remains dark and the technicians are packing up. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with assistance, offers of help and kind words of condolence. I know Paul touched so many people in his journey through life.
I will always carry him in my heart and I know each of you will too. Such an outpouring of fond memories! There will be a celebration of life. A time for us to share music that Paul loved played in a beautiful space. Mourning the passing of my dear companion in life, Paul Plimley, I thought I would begin to collect some of the social media tributes and list them below. There is an additional page of detailed tributes that have been sent by email.
Victoria Gibson Trying for a selfie with Paul’s new phone
Aaron Vidaver has compiled a list of Paul’s music available on-line that can be found by clicking here – Warning: some may require membership to music streaming services.
Paul’s social media community greeted the news of his passing with an outpouring of love and respect with expressions of their grief. I will copy as many as I can to save them on this post.
Link to Facebook Post · We are at a loss for words with the passing of Paul Plimley, a giant in our improvised jazz and creative scene.
A piano player, vibraphonist, and person of infectious energy and boundless enthusiasm, Paul was a staple at our jazz festival and played countless gigs with Coastal Jazz.
His impact on our creative jazz scene is incomprehensibly large. From his work founding the NOW Orchestra to his interpretations of Ornette Coleman, Paul was a joyful tornado of avant-improvisation, modal melodic manipulations, and sharp neo-classicism who delivered outstanding performances with countless musicians in our creative scene. Full of cheek and mischief, when Paul said your name he said it with such gusto that you felt like a movie star. He had a talent not only for music but for joy and love, he could make you feel like the most important person in the room.
To all of Paul’s family and friends, our thoughts are with you and we mourn this great loss alongside you.
To Paul, you are deeply missed and though you might be gone from sight your energy carries on forever through the music.
Here, in a photograph of mine [Mark Miller] from the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, in 2014.
Post by Mark Miller May 18, 7:22 pm · I am stunned by word tonight from Vancouver of the passing of Paul Plimley, one the Canadian jazz scene’s true originals, at the age of 69. I once described him as “an impulsive improviser whose considerable expressivity and physicality at the keyboard, post-Cecil Taylor, was leavened by a lyricism born — he would say — of Debussy and a twinkling sense of humour, if not mischief, entirely of his own.”
Reply: Craig McCaw So sorry to hear of his passing. A true original in every way. Always interested, interesting, and full of that amazing positivity. What a loss.
Paul was one of the first Vancouver musicians I met when I came to Vancouver in 1979 – I remember going to hear Paul’s octet (presented by NOW!) at the Western Front and totally loved it. We became very good friends over the years and I can’t count the number of performances he gave over the years that he reached in and touched my soul.
He had a standing invitation to drop into the A-Trane and he took it up a number of times although we never got around to that session we were going to have on tuba players.
He lived around the corner from Black Swan Records in the last years when it was on Broadway and he was always up for a hang to hear the new sides. And any Zappa release that came in the door when out again (in his hands) just as quickly. At one time he had scoped out doing a solo album of Zappa tunes but never followed through on it and I would tease him about it occasionally when I would run into him.
The late night jazz fest hangs with Paul were always the best, in the early years people would gather at Benny’s Bagels, or Studio 16 or the Glass Slipper and the later years were at IronWorks – nobody could out hang Paul! He had energy and enthusiasm to spare whatever he did!
I heard that he was sick and had moved into the hospice the day before I left for NY and sent a message of love and a hope that I could see him when I got back but I’m now devastated that it wasn’t to be.
Goodbye Paul, you touched a lot of people with your music and just as many with your heart. I know that you know that you were and are loved …
Reply to Mark Miller: Ron Samworth Thank you Mark. That photo captures him to a T!
Michael Posted · Sharing this review I did for Signal To Noise magazine sometime ago, here to honor the passing of the great Paul Plimley. It’s a duo CD he did with the also great Mei Han. RIP&P
ACADEMIA.EDU download linkHan Mei & Paul Plimley: Ume, Improvisations for Zheng and Piano The earth moves with attitude in Paul Plimley’s left hand’s opening notes. It takes no nonsense from his right. Mei Han, Paul’s right hand zheng master, gives none. The immediate results are a flash breeze of recognition between the distant string . . .
Reply: Mei Han Mike, Thank you very much for sharing this review. I almost forgot that you wrote this review for Signal To Noise. I always enjoyed reading your writing. Ume was special to me. Playing with Paul was always exciting. He was such a giving artist with an amazing ability to listen, support, and inspire. In Dec. 2020 when I went back to Vancouver, we played our last jam session at his home. The video Randy posted last night was from that session.
Ron Samworth’s post · May 19, 3:11am My friend, colleague, inspiration and source of enormous comic relief, Paul Plimley has passed.
I met Paul in 1985 as I was welcomed into the NOW (New Orchestra Workshop) fold as a young earnest 23 year old improviser. Paul welcomed me with open arms and as a closet guitarist and huge fan of popular music, we would go deep down the well, sharing arcane trivia and generally just laughing our asses off.
Paul was a luminous presence both at the piano and in any room he inhabited. Many comparisons have been made to Cecil Taylor (one of his mentors), but Paul owed as much to Duke and perhaps more significantly to Al Neil to whom he was heir apparent. I might add that Paul could do spot on voice imitations of these guys that would put you on the floor. His gift for mimicry was awe inspiring, yet he was never a mimic in his art. He had a truly original voice – was completely authentic and true to himself. I’ll miss him, his warmth, humanity, friendship and artistry. Rest well Brother Lou! xox
Reply: John Korsrud Thanks Ron. A sad day. One of a kind person. Loved him as a musician. Loved him as a great human.
Bill Clark facebook post link May 18 at 5:46pm· Paul Plimley. An icon of Vancouver music has left this realm. For all of us that knew him, his joy and humour are resonating with us right now. I can hear his voice, see his face and visualize his story telling like we are at a coffee shop in Amsterdam. For those of us intimately tied to the improvisation community we have lost an elder, a unique voice, a force and inspiration.
I first played with Paul in the late 70’s and first played in his Octet in 81 and 82. We went a long way back sharing the joy of music. To all his friends and family my deep condolences. Sad, sad loss. Rest in peace dear friend and colleague.
Reply: Martin Gotfrit Like many I played with Paul in the late 70s, early 80s and a little later he taught piano to one of my sons. The lessons were often improvisations on his grand piano. My son was around 5/6 years old and those lessons were mostly him playing the keys while Paul would play on the strings. Paul was a luminous soul with incredible musical creativity and a kind heart.
Wayne posted May 19, 2022· Paul Plimley was an exceptional artist, a transcendent pianist, a raconteur of the first order, and a good friend, and I am sad I have to speak of him in the past tense. Rest In Power, Paul. My sincere condolences to his friends and loved ones.
What a beautiful thing it has been to read here about the deep connections so many of you had with him and to learn about him through your remembrances.
I had admired Paul’s music for decades before I found myself playing in a trio with him and Clyde Reed during one of the weekly sessions Clyde included me in while I was living in Vancouver.
It was immediately apparent to me that Paul was one of those rare musicians who truly played who he was. He actually vibrated with an almost frenetic energy that wasn’t nervous as much as it was curious. Yet he was as generous with his attention as he was with his curiosity; his eyes and his ears—his whole being, really—were wide open. I remember him asking questions with great intention and really caring for what I had to offer in response. And all of this is true of the person I met both in and out of the music, if those spaces are indeed distinct.
After we hung out and played in Clyde’s basement a few times I ran into Paul on the street and we spoke at length. I felt that I’d found a friend. We connected briefly at a few shows, as well, and I feel lucky to have had the chance to play with him once more during the performance pictured here at 8EAST along with JP Carter.I had hoped to connect with Paul again this summer when I’ll be back in town and I expect that I will do just that. My love to all of you who knew and loved him.
Reply: Andrew Timar – John Oswald compiled this beautiful, iconoclastic tribute album to Paul over the last 24 hrs.
Producer John Oswald has compiled this collection, all featuring or plunderizing Maestro Plimley, as a gift for Paul, which we are sharing with you. “Paul Plimley” on Bandcamp
Reply: Arthur Garwood Delahooke It’s really remarkable just how many people this man left an impact on during his time on earth. A truly wonderful and incredibly unique human. Absolutely a gem of a human being and no one truly like him.
Chris Posted May 19, 2022 · Another big loss for the Vancouver music community. So sad to hear of the loss of Paul Plimley. Never have I met anyone more EXCITED and PASSIONATE about music and life! Rest in peace, Paul.
Reply: Carol Sawyer dang. I am so sorry to hear this news.
Kaen posted · This world just got a lot less cool. Fuck man.. I’m really going to miss running into Paul Plimley and feasting on his tsunami of energy and talent.
Reply: Stefan Smulovitz You nailed it. So sad. Nobody else like him
Post by Lukas Ligeti · Paul Plimley: without any doubt one of the most creative, musical improvisers I’ve ever worked with. And one of the most friendly, playful, and lively. I’m completely shocked and in disbelief that he is not alive anymore.
Colin Corner, Upright bassist, with Paul Plimley at Waterlou Studio. Photo Credit: Victoria Gibson
Colin Posted: May 22, 2022 · R.I.P. Paul Plimley. He was such a brilliant musical mind and one of the most generous and warm people I have ever met. A true genius, and I feel fortunate I was able to learn from him and play with him briefly in Vancouver.
Emma Lancaster posted · A long ass time ago I was vended out as a person who could turn a hand sketch into a visual score. The time I spent cranking that out with Paul Plimley set the tone for my life since. I am not sure how to process the terrible news that we all are trying to process. Sleep well, beautiful man.
Reply: Doug Tuck So sad to read this news. I took a jazz survey course with him many years ago and learned a ton. Whenever I ran into him, he remembered me and we connected. Lovely talented eccentric man.
Reply: Susan J Broatch Emma I just woke up what’s going on? NM just opened all my messenger stuff. Wreckage. Total Wreckage…
Paul was the warmest, most vibrant, wacky, engaging, positive and sharp-witted man and he was always a delight to be around and also to work with. His musical skills were off the charts- one of the greatest Jazz pianists in the world, he took up guitar in his 50’s and mastered it too. His performances at the Vancouver Jazz Festival were legendary, and he was just an amazing man.
We were meeting fairly often for coffee last year, then he seemed to only show up infrequently. I had no idea he was dealing with cancer. He kept that to himself.
Years ago, he was helping me with a musical audition – I was singing an Elton John song. He asked me for a CD to compare the published music sheets with the original, because they seemed wrong to him. And he was right. Paul asked if he could borrow the CD because he didn’t have any of Elton’s music and he wanted to study Elton’s piano work. For years, whenever we’d meet, he’d say “Oh! I must get that Elton John CD back to you!” And we never did. The last time I saw him, he said that again. And we laughed because it was our “thing”. Whenever I listen to Elton now, I will think of Paul. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
L=> R Jonathan Bernard, Ben Rogalsky, Lan Tung, Paul Plimley
Lan Tung’s Post · To Paul Plimley, a great friend and mentor! Paul was willing to spend the time to play with me when I was just at the beginning stage of improvising. He taught me so much. He was a great influence and inspiration to so many.
He named his commission for the Orchid Ensemble “Proliferasian“, and later allowed me to call my new ensemble in that name. When Paul came to Orchid Ensemble’s rehearsals of the piece, we had a 4th part to the trio – that’s his dance. He demonstrated with his body how we would all play in different tempo at the same time…
Before cell phone took over for communication, Paul was one of the people I could call after 10pm because he was always up late at night like me. He always picked up the phone with very warm greetings and started to talk about what’s on his mind (could be a million things). Maybe 20 minutes later, there might be the first brief pause. Then I would have the chance to say, “Paul, can I tell you why I have called…”. Then we both laughed. This must be the experience with a lot of his friends. You know what I am talking about.
I regret that I was not able to see him one last time because I had been away from Vancouver the past couple weeks. But like I said to Victoria, it’s sad and at the same time not possible to be sad thinking of Paul because he brought so much joy to life. Memories of him was full of fun and laughter.
Reply: Sutrisno Hartana I am sorry to hear this suddened news. My condolences to you and other family. RIP Paul Plimley.
Reply: Ben Rogalsky Thanks for posting this photo, Lan Tung. Paul was a one of a kind and I’m really going to miss his endless delight and curiosity.
Same photo: Ben Rogalsky I’m going to miss Paul and his boundless enthusiasm and curiosity. I loved how every time we would run into each other he would recount in amazing detail the last time we had seen each other and all the circumstances surrounding it, who was there, what we had talked about. Regardless of the length of time that had passed – years in some cases.
I originally met him in the 90’s when he composed a piece for the first Gamelan Madu Sari record, for which I had to figure out how to play these amazing complex and precise polyrhythmic phrases that were little blasts of insight into how his brain worked musically. I always enjoyed seeing him play or just running into him, and it seems very strange that someone with such youthful joy and boundless enthusiasm is gone. A one of a kind.
A rare improvisatory musical moment caught on tape with Paul Plimley on piano and Randy Raine-Reusch on zheng, during a recording session with Plimley and zheng virtuoso Mei Han at Waterlou Studios for an upcoming series of online video concerts.
RRR posted · Paul, I will miss you a lot. Who else can I tell rapid fire puns with so people spit their beer accidentally, or share great stories with of all our musical exploits, or make amazing music with no matter what instruments we play. You are an amazing being Paul, and wherever you are now, they are extremely lucky to have you. The Afterlife Orchestra has just gotten a monster player. Travel well my friend. You are loved beyond measure. — with Paul Plimley.
Reply: D’Arcy posted May 18, 2022 · I’m so saddened by the tragic loss of Paul Plimley. I have known Paul since before I ever stepped on a stage. Such talent, energy, and light Paul was. Just a pure ball of positive magnetism. He was truly one of a kind. I’m fortunate to have been taught by Paul, to be in possession of a chart he wrote for one of my projects, and just to be able to say I knew him. Travel well, Paul. You will be missed.
RRR posted to Victoria Gibson · I am sending you big hugs. This must be a difficult time for you. You were always there for Paul. You were the technical skill supporting his performances, facilitated many of his projects, and here you are still managing his website. Very few people know the tremendous amount of work you did for him behind the scenes. Mei and I see you, we know who you are, the talents you have, and the absolutely gigantic heart that you have. You are a special being, and deserve all the love that can be given. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs.
Reply: Lauren Ollsin So true. This is just what I have been hoping to put in words. Thank you Randy, and thank you Victoria for being the kind, generous, gifted, brilliance that you are. Paul was better for it. And I’m better for it.
I was just sitting down to write some words for Paul Plimley, who passed away today, when a peacock flew onto my balcony.
I kid you not.
Not that I think this is a message from the beyond—any more than EVERYTHING is a message from the beyond, these days—but it’s certainly a meaningful coincidence.
Paul could sure peacock it at the piano, but never in an arrogant way, always in the spirit of generosity, beauty, and surprise.
I’ll miss our chance meetings, hugs, and talks.
My condolences to all who loved him; I’m just one of many!
Reply: Phil Emerson Well said, Alex…One of those very special people, in so many ways. Above all, Paul Plimley was one of those people, you’d start feeling better, standing next to him.
Reply: Ken R Emerson This is shocking to say the least. Paul was a wonderful gifted artist, I’m so glad my brother introduced me to him and got to spend time together in Vancouver. Condolences..
Reply: Alexander Varty We didn’t play together nearly often enough, but at least we recorded once, thanks to John Oswald and Mascall Dance.
Reply: Andrew Timar I remember John O. playing this brilliantly cheeky work for me when it was new, before I’d met Paul.
Reply: Ken Eisner He used to come over and play my guitars when, he said, the piano started feeling too restrictive!
Reply: Ed Henderson I’m in shock – loved Paul – I had no idea he was not well. Wish I had.
Reply: Lisa Butel Really sorry to hear this news. He was so joyful to watch.
Reply: Travis Baker I was lucky enough to have had a mentor of sorts in Paul. For upwards of a year I would regularly go to his house and we’d jam for a couple of hours. I would leave a humbled man lol. I learned so much from those sessions!
After he found out I was taking the bus he started giving me a ride home.
Reply: Bob Blair I was very sad to get this news. I knew Paul when we were both kids – our parents were very close friends (we even called them “aunt” and “uncle”). I had not seen him in decades until we had a wonderful, albeit brief, reunion a few years ago at an improvised music event in Vancouver. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend Alexander – I will always wish he and I had kept in touch over the years.
Reply: Zulis Yalte Thank you for posting Alex. I am very sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. He was an extraordinary human.
I met him when looking for accommodation while attending Emily Carr in mid 80s. I was fortunate enough to sub-let his Immense record collection and co-incidentally, his flat. We kept in light touch for a few years with serendipitous meetings a couple of times through the years. A beautiful person and pleasure to know even a little.
Fly with abandon Paul … you were a gift
Reply: Michael Kinal Very sad news, was truly a great friend. I will miss him dearly.
Reply: Valdine Ciwko Such sad news. I remember his whirlwind visits at the old folk festival office. Great guy.
Reply: Ayelet Rose Gottlieb This is so incredibly sad… safe travels to the other side
Reply: David Prentice Very sad news. Although I haven’t seen him in sometime I imagined running into him and seeing that big smile.
Reply: Robyn Carrigan A beautiful man, a wonderful musician. Very sorry to hear this.
Reply: Colin Griffiths Paul embodied the joy of the uninhibited blithe spirit, forever curious, with a contagious rampant enthusiasm and belief in the inveterate potential of others that led us into beautiful places of abundance for us all to share.
So sorry he’s gone and so very glad he was with us…
Reply: Nick Mitchum god damn it…i just messaged paul yesterday asking him why i didn’t see his name anywhere in the new jazzfest guide…i was mad…now i’m sad…pic is the first day of the jazzfest 2019…
Photo Credit: Nick Mitchum
Reply: Susan Alcorn My condolences to you, Paul’s family and friends, and especially Victoria Gibson. I only knew him from a visit to Vancouver in 2017, but what an incredible musician, and what a kind, and funny, person he was.
Reply: Bob Petterson So sorry to hear this. I didn’t know that he wasn’t well. He was a neighbour of Mud Bay’s drummer, Murphy Farrell and I have fond memories of summertime get togethers at Murph’s place with Paul always joining in the backyard jams. Invariably, in more recent years, he would come over with a guitar and play that more than the piano. He will be missed.
Reply: Nick Mitchum i remember paul saying he was letting his fingernails grow long while learning to play classical guitar but thought it was weird that he could hear his nails on the keys when he played piano…oddly this is the pic on his wiki page…
Photo Credit: Jhayne Faust – Paul Plimley playing guitar at the Children’s Festival
Photo Credit: Vincent Lim posted by Francois Houle
Francois posted May 18, 2022· When I first moved to Vancouver in 1990, Paul Plimley’s name kept coming up as one of the must see and hear musicians on the local scene. As a young musician, getting to know Paul was a blessing. He was generous, welcoming, kind, and funny as heck! I dont think I’ve ever heard a gig where he wasn’t his ebulient self, and 100% committed to the music (as in this photo by Vincent Lim). Paul, you were and always will be an inspiration. Rest in peace
Reply: Phil Durrant Oh no! One of my most memorable gigs was a quartet with him, John Oswald and Barre Phillips at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in the late 90s. I was a bit scared because I had pigeon-holed Paul Plimley as a busy Free Jazz pianist. I needed have worries as he – and John Oswald – played in a more UK SME style which really helped me. It was special playing with him and socialising as well.
Reply: Joëlle Léandre I remember, à fantastic musician !!
Reply: Benoit Delbecq Oh that’s so sad. Paul was a wonderful musical force and a memorable human being. Much love to all his friends and family.
Astrid posted · RIP Paul Plimley So sad to hear of the passing of Paul Plimley I am in shock His energy was so beautiful his music incredible whenever I would run into him at a festival or gig …just being around him made me feel full of life and love and positivity
I will so miss his presence
You will be missed Paul
Reply: Nyla Sunga Yes to lose such a special and generous person, such an adventurous and wild musician, what a loss to all of us.
Reply: Ron Samworth Yeah, he sure lit up Ironworks when he hung out there!
Gordon Grdina posted: · I cannot think of a more unique, kind, and beautiful soul than Paul Plimley. He embodied the music and beauty inside and out. I can’t believe I won’t get to hear him speak or listen to him play again. The world has lost one of the masters and guiding lights. RIP
Reply: Tim DuRoche Oh no. No. That’s so beyond words sad – such a beam of light and so full of joy…playing with he and Lisle was like the best conversation in your favorite relative’s living room
Reply: Brad Winter An amazing and important musical voice. Paul was a wonderful person and a true music/humor genius. I’ll miss him forever.
Reply: Marian Penner Bancroft very sad news. an extraordinary man, an extraordinary piano player. no one else I know had more joie de vivre than Paul. a joy to know him.
Reply: Diane Kadota Plimley was complex. He made it all seem easy. Thinking about him, joining Ross, Brad M and me one early morning after an all night talk at the Quentin Hotel “bar”. So many stories. So much love.
Krista posted May 19, 2022 · RIP Paul Plimley one of my favorite humans of all time. It felt like my whole body smiled when I saw him. It was an honor to work with and play with the ‘OG Shredder’ as I liked to call him what a legend.
These photos were from the celebration gathering for the wonderful Jim Coverdale, another giant in our Vancouver jazz scene. Much hugging ensued. Naomi Singer and Paul Plimley
Naomi posted May 20, 2022· Like everyone, I adore Paul Plimley. He was so wide open there was an immediate intimacy that freed one’s spirit into delighted play. Our special toy was language and we tossed it around mercilessly, pushing each other to attain ridiculously intricate images and ideas of nonsensical delight. Paul was also one of the few people I could show my jazz drawings to without fear of judgment. He generated so much creativity and appreciated all energy. He was so far out there! I’m feeling a wild mix of grief and disbelief and rage and love and pure joy and gratitude that I knew this sweet improbable unicorn. Our collective loss is immeasurable. — with Paul Plimley and 2 others.
Scott Lewis posted May 30, 2022 · I’m still coming to terms with the recent death of my longtime friend Paul Plimley, who was as full of life as anyone I have ever met.
Both being lateral thinkers whose minds were prone to heading off madly in all directions, we hit it off immediately when we met. We would have the most amazing conversations that would start somewhere, veer off into a dozen or two other topics, and then magically end up right back where we started.
And his music was just like his mind, virtuosic, creative, responsive, unpredictable, exciting. A Delicate Chestnut Roll, indeed…
I will never forget one night. We were hanging out after a concert when he invited me over to his place, which was the only remaining occupied place in a row building near VGH that was about to be torn down. For some reason he asked me if I wanted to jam. I headed to my place nearby and grabbed my clarient, which I generally played for a few minutes every five years or so. But Paul had such big ears that even with my limited out of practice skills we had a great jam that left us both laughing.
Goodbye, old friend. You were one of a kind! I hope this picture I took at one of your gigs captures the fire that illuminated your music.
Reply: Marcus Pollard Damn. That’s a loss to you and all of the jazz community. I still remember that Random Thought show at Open Space…
Reply: Tom Swift I still can’t believe he’s no longer among the living. RIP
Reply: Naomi Singer Thanks for this lovely memory Scott. I too am still trying to process the devastating loss of such a vivacious and generous human. Paul was pure delight.
Nathan posted May 19, 2022 · Paul Plimley was undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary musical mentors that I have been lucky enough to know and work with over the years. His zeal for living a life filled with magic, merriment and mirth will always be an inspiration and will never ever be forgotten. RIP Pablo.
Reply: Kidd Karrim Incredible photo, it is so him.
Kenneth Newby May23, 2022 · Living Together Outside the Box
Domestic creatives. . . .The Great Dandelion-stalk Trumpet Orchestra with Andreas Kahre and Lorna Mulligan. . Triple-layer cake. . Thunder-claps and lightning in the home. . . . . Oboe in the attic. . . . . . . . . Piano in the parlour. . . . . . . . . . . . . Drums from the deep
Practice and everything is coming. . . Inventions spontaneous . . . . . . . Bassoon and Piano . Late-night listening. . . . . discussions debates. . . . . . . . . Zappa. . . . . . . . . . . . Stockhausen. Homemade musique concrete. . Shouting into the piano with the pedal down. . . . Resonance. . . . . . . High amusement. . . . . . . . . Life affirmed
Mission accomplished . . . . Joy!
Reply: Andreas Kahre I remember it well! Thank you, Kenneth.
Jesse posted May 18, 2022 · Saddened by the loss of the great spirit Paul Plimley.
Reply: Jon Siddall Nobody smiled like Paul smiled. Nobody played like Paul played.
Reply: Lisa Cay MillerLisa posted May 21, 2022 · RIP Paul Plimley, you were brilliant, well spoken, generous, enthusiastic, an incredible pianist and supportive community member. Love to his loved ones.
Jaime Posted · Vancouver and the world has lost a musical voice that will be unmatchable. Paul Plimley has started to tinkle the sky’s ivories with abandon now.
In 2005, I got a chance to work with him and a bunch of other young musicians (I say ‘young’, because Paul was ready for everything and anything, and when asked to do the CD and perform, he said how amazed he was at the young(er) minds and what they were ‘coming up with’ – and he included me in that bunch! Bless his heart! even though he was only 2 years older than I lol!) on a CD/Performance project for the Vancouver Planetarium, about the anniversary of a show the Planetarium did back in the late 1960’s. He was fun, studious and all four eyes and ears were wide open. Stay fun, Paul!
Brad and Laura Winter’s Facebook Post · Hugs to you Vicky!!!! So sad to hear of Paul’s passing away. We are devastated and will hold oh, so many memories of his laughter, expressions and incredible musical skills. He was one of kind and a very special friend. So glad to know that he had you (his true friend) with him in his final days. Love from Brad and Laura.
Mark posted May 18, 2022 · Paul Plimley has gone on to his next gig. RIP Paul. Uncompromising artist, affable raconteur, gigantically talented and creative beyond measure. I will miss you, Paul.
Still image capture of Live Video recorded on Tim’s post
Tim Posted · Vancouver · It’s a school night, but I still managed to stop in at @8eastspace after my meeting and catch a set by one of the most exciting working groups on the scene today: Paul Plimley, Kenton Loewen, and Tommy Babin. Jeff Younger opened the show, and sat in with the band later, though I couldn’t stay for that part. #vancouverjazz @ 8EAST
Katherine Lee posted May 18, 2022 · No, no, no, no, no Always upbeat and optimistic, Paul Plimley used to pour his entire being into every performance, every interaction. I think intensity must have been his middle name. I first met him (and Tony Reif) close-up, while we worked together on his CD-R Everything In Stages, at DNA Media in the mid-1990s.
Chick Rice’s photography provided some moody frames of Paul’s normally effervescent demeanour. Gregory Ronczewski, the creative director for the CD artwork and interactive, loved these contrasty captures, though at the time I remember Paul remarking how unused he was to seeing himself portrayed that way. Still, the seeming gravity of these portraits fit into a genre of classic jazz photographs, and suited the angularity of Paul’s compositions.
My small contribution was on the sound design for the “R” portion of the CD…Paul later became a music instructor to me and to Bryn for a short time. For me, it was in the hopes of reviving my piano musicianship. He used to say to me, how we should get together and jam with our guitars. Unfortunately, now it is too late. I am glad to learn he had good friends close to him during these “stages” of transition to the next world. Still, this is such a sad shock both personally and for our community. https://songlines.com/release/everything-in-stages/
I’ve been very quiet lately, in part because there’s been an incipient death in the family on the horizon. Today it came to be. Paul Plimley, beloved of many across the wild world and a father in my heart, died of cancer today in Vancouver, BC, away from his precious pianos, but cared for and with the knowledge he was loved.
Like many people, Paul Plimley was not prepared for how quickly cancer takes a life away, so I did not get to say goodbye, but I know he got to spend many of his final moments with my mother, his darling Victoria, and that brings some comfort. He and my mother were a couple for a few years, back when I was a sprout, and stayed inseparable best friends in the decades since. He once asked me if it was okay that sometimes he pretended I was his daughter and I replied there could be no higher honour.
It feels impossible that we’ve been robbed so soon of his goofy laughter and kind heart, his iconoclastic, arty jokes and his frankly adorable everything else. He was a soft, gentle man, who did his best and was, quite often, successful at it. I was blessed to know him. We were all blessed. May his memory always be a celebration.
———————–Photo by Peter Gannushkin, 2011, at yet another of his hundreds (thousands?) of Jazz Festival appearances. Wikipedia photo by me, 2008, at a workshop we did as a family at the Vancouver Children’s Festival.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Plimley
Reply: Jordie Vézina Levasseur William Parker performed yesterday night at FIMAV with Ava Mendoza and Francisco Mela (we had to cancel Dakh Daughters and he was the replacement for this concert). He dedicated the concert to Paul.
Reply: Viviane Houle Deepest condolences to all of his family and friends. He lit up a room. He lit up my heart with his twinkly eyes, his laughter. I remember seeing him play for the first time. It changed my life and my understanding of music and improvisation.
Reply: René Lussier Triste nouvelle!!Sympathies à ses proche et amis musiciens
Reply: Cindy Schreyer He taught both our kids piano lessons for years . We always had dinner together after he taught the lessons . We laughed we would talked we would eat . Many times we would say we should have Paul Plimley over for dinner when one of our kids would return home from Toronto . But alas we never did the last few years with covid . How sad I am that we didn’t . We loved Paul . We will miss him . He was an amazing man .
Reply: Susan Alcorn This is so sad. MY deepest condolences to you and Victoria.
Reply: Mark Linsley I’m so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing, he was a close friend of my Older brother Rob since the beginning of High School and remained friends until my brothers passing a couple of years ago, Paul was a remarkable guy full of life with a kind kind soul, he is going to be missed
Reply: Michelle Joy Ochitwa He popped into my head earlier this week. Meeting him at that little jazz improv place on Granville (10-something?… gawsh that’s half my lifetime ago). Yakking after a concert at the Orpheum and suddenly finding that we were waltzing on the sidewalk as if that’s just what you do when you talk about Mahler. Paul laughing and moving aside when Ray play-growled at him at the intermission of the David Byrne concert when Paul stood next to me for a group photo you were taking (because Ray wanted to stand next to me). Bumping into him and your mom at various concerts and always getting the lit-up recognition as though it was a real pleasure just to know we all existed. I idly wondered this week when next Ray and I might bump into him again. Oof. Love to you and Victoria Gibson !
Reply: Jared Burrows Terrible news. He was a wonderful man with an unparalleled enthusiasm, sense of joy, and zest for life.
Reply: Gavin Walker I am heartbroken and deeply saddened by his transition but I am also forever grateful that all my meetings and conversations with Paul enhanced my life in ways that are beyond words. Safe journey Paul.
Reply: Nel Finberg· This is really horrible loss … Paul was one of the most radiant, brilliant and iconoclastic locals, a towering figure in improvisational music whose musical skills many of us have been able to taken in for much of our adult lives.
Mourning the passing of my dear companion in life, Paul Plimley. Thank you Paul for all the time we spent together. No one expected Paul to go so quickly. As always, he gave his best and left us wanting more. This time there will be no encore. The finality of his passing cannot be changed no matter how much we applaud and make noise for the master. The stage remains dark and the technicians are packing up. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with assistance, offers of help and kind works of condolence. I know Paul touched so many people in his journey through life. I will always carry him in my heart and I know each of you will too. Such an outpouring of fond memories! There will be a celebration of life. A time for us to share music that Paul loved played in a beautiful space.
Reply: Nick Apivor – In the days following Paul’s passing I watched 2 documentaries about Monk. Not for any particular reason, I mean, I love Monk, but it wasn’t a conscious thing. Anyway, it just hit me now. Paul, in many ways was our “Monk”. Same quirkiness, playfulness, brilliance, absolute uncompromising dedication to the music., absolutely ” in the moment ” every second he played. They were musical brothers in spirit. It was an honor to witness that brilliance.
with Paul Plimley — Updating Paul’s website. I wrote a brief section, then continued with some tributes copied from social media. Please PM me if you want to edit, add or delete the post you wrote from Paul’s site. Photos are credited if I know who took them. If you know, I can add that info. I will add more of the tributes — these are the first I saw. If you want to bypass posting on social media you can send material to me. PM me for my email address.
Reply: François Houle – Deepest and most heartfelt condolences, dear Vicky. Beautiful tributes to a most amazing human being…
Reply: Mei Han – Dearest Vicky, my deepest condolences to you. In the last 2 decades I have witnessed your love and dedication to Paul and his music endeavour. I think Paul made a great choice to have you taking care of his music creations and, as friends here commented, you did a wonderful job in gathering and creating this collection of peer’s loving memories of Paul. I put out a video of a piece Paul and I played to commemorate his passing. If you would like to add to this post, I can send you the link. Thank you .
Reply: Gerry Hemingway– Hi Vicki – this sad news found its way to me just recently. I send my deepest condolences to you for enduring the empty place that is inevitably created with this departure. Paul was a feast of ceaseless invention. I always enjoyed our meetings over the years and the spirit and abandon he brought to music of the moment. We briefly attempted to get our concertos for orchestra performed in Vancouver as a double bill but it did not work out. But we did do together was a magic I wont forget.
Reply: Brad Winter -Thank-you for all of your efforts/love on Paul’s behalf. He WAS a very special soul, creative, funny and full of heart. I honestly loved the guy and will treasure every moment (musical or otherwise) I was privileged to share with him. Love, Brad.
Hi Victoria, Still processing the sudden news. Condolences to you and family. Seems that although we may have only met about a dozen times, Paul felt like family.
We had met at a few social events usually hosted by the Farrell family. It was always with a joyful interchange of banter, one liners and his instantaneous warmth.
Such a privilege to have been able to play with Paul, informally and in performance as well as on a recording project. One of my sweetest musical moments was a 3 song set of Motown we played at an East Van high school backing a trio of young ladies cranking out the tunes like they were their greatest hits. Paul did that as a favor to friends. A generous soul that will be missed by us all.
Reply: Bobbi Kozinuk My Condolences Victoria, he was an amazing person
Reply: Ann Hepper I was very sad to hear about Paul’s death. I hadn’t seen him for some years, but I have many good memories of his charming, liveliness and warmth.
PM => Ron Samworth Hey – Vicki – a very brief message. Just wanted to reach out and send love. So sorry for the loss of our beloved Paul. That’s all – the rest is all blah blah blah. Thank you for being such a devoted partner and friend to him. xox
PM => Ian Migicovsky I just heard about Paul. Victoria my heart goes out for you. I know that you & Paul had a special relationship. Please let me know when there will be a memorial/celebration of life for Paul.
PM => Moshe Denburg Dear Vicki, My heartfelt condolences to you, and to all who loved Paul. May his memory be a blessing for all of us. Hugs, Moshe
Email => Carol Sawyer Thanks for sharing this Victoria. I am truly sorry for your loss – Paul was a real light, a unique talent and an open hearted musician and person. It was lovely to listen to these videos and be able to enjoy again his unique playing style and presence.
Email => Johanna Hauser So sorry for your loss, Victoria, and the music world’s loss, too. may Paul rest in peace and may you receive solace during this time.
His energy was so beautiful his music incredible whenever I would run into him at a festival or gig …just being around him made me feel full of life and love and positivity
thanks for sharing.
Always upbeat and optimistic, 
I think Paul made a great choice to have you taking care of his music creations and, as friends here commented, you did a wonderful job in gathering and creating this collection of peer’s loving memories of Paul. I put out a video of a piece Paul and I played to commemorate his passing. If you would like to add to this post, I can send you the link. Thank you 
goes out for you. I know that you & Paul had a special relationship. Please let me know when there will be a memorial/celebration of life for Paul.