Paul with Zoppo and the Truetones - road trip pit stop

Paul's solo in "Twilight Bluz" when he was with the band "DaBluz Crew" circa 2005

Two nights ago, I listened to most of the Zoppo and the Truetone’s CD. The tears turned to smiles as I started to think about those days and adventures we had shared. I was lucky enough to be in the room the first time Paul played his sax as a student at Placer High. He played and we all sat there in stunned silence. Paul acted like it was no big deal. We were all intimated as much as awestruck. We continued with the Placer Band until we graduated. Later that summer, I was asked to join Zoppo. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep playing after high school, but I decided to sit in for one practice session. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had just made one the best decisions of my life. About a week or two later, we played at the Black and White ball in Auburn. Talk about an out of body experience. Here we are a group of teens and there was Paul blowing the crowd away with his jaw dropping solos. He was so passionate about music and it made us all better musicians just being around him. During the Zoppo days is when Paul and I really became friends. Eventually around the end of 2001, we were roommates. At the time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Whether he was almost burning our apartment down trying to make refried beans, or trying to extort a recipe out of a restaurant by naming off ingredients he was “allergic” to, man, there was never a dull moment. We shared some good laughs and really pissed each other off. Through it all Paul was always there for you when you needed him. At some point I stopped thinking of him as my friend, and realized he was my brother. Paul, I’ll never forget you and will miss you. RIP.

Paul's family held a private celebration of life in Virginia on 5.18.25 This is part 1 of 2

Paul's family held a private celebration of life in Virginia on 5.18.25 This is part 2 of 2

Paul Towne was a force of nature whose bold personality touched the lives of many. After hearing of passing I was suddenly transcended thru time and space to an important era of my life that shaped the person I am today.  Though we hadn’t spoken for years, I was flooded with memories from that era and our adventures with our band Zoppo and the Truetones at the end of nineties.

Paul was an interesting cat who seemed to be wise beyond his years at a young age. When I heard him play sax in the high school band with such conviction, I was impressed how he took over the show with his talent. With his shades, in a suit and a tenor sax. I was like…Who is THIS guy?! lol.

Paul was really one of a kind…and one of the first people who believed in me. He came in with a black leather briefcase in his hand and a swagger in his step like some kind of 80’s business man..all serious, and said he wanted to manage the band we were creating…and play tenor sax..He seemed to be interested in how I was freestyling on my clarinet to makeshift swing music with no idea what we were doing…but having a great time doing it. David Collier had mad chops on the drums..Jeremy and Robbie…neighborhood buddies that had already played together for years…so they had vibe and that sealed the deal. He got us a space to rehearse for free in the back of his parents printing press..We were just kids…but not Paul. He was driving around in a Lincoln “Town” car with a license plate that said “Yes I’m 18, and yes, it’s mine” LOL. This guy had a hell of a sense of humor to say the least.

We shared musical influences, styles and different artists we’d discovered…although he never sold me on the smooth jazz haha. We bumped heads a few times, but only because we were passionate about what we were doing and the energy we were investing as young makeshift entrepreneurs. “Zoppo and the Truetones” was a period in my life I always look back on with fond memories…but this last few days…with images of those times rushing back…I just thought I’d give a shout out to Paul Towne….and to thank you for believing in us…with your bold energy, and for being a good friend, a good person who really tried hard. You put thought and conviction into what you did…especially the way you played your heart out on the sax. That was really great, man. I’ll miss you and I will love you always brother. RIP old friend

-JG

And a big hug to his family and to all you guys from those days. Hope you’re all doing ok…and please never hesitate to reach out.

The BEST DAY EVER - I never thought I’d skip school—ever—but Paul finally talked me into it. Just one day. We took off early in his luxury town car, heading south to his favorite city in the world: San Francisco. He had jazz playing the whole drive down, and the way he lit up talking about the city made it feel like we were heading into something magical. He showed me all his favorite spots—Coit Tower, the bridges, and we wandered Chinatown, stuffing ourselves with dim sum. By the time we were driving back, the sun was setting over the bay, casting this soft, golden glow across everything. He let me take his picture in front of the Golden Gate Bridge—his favorite place. We were completely exhausted, but I don’t think I’d ever felt so free or so happy. He knew how to take in every day as an adventure or challenge and enjoy.  I think about that day often.