Gabe Dixon

From Concord Music Group:

Formed nine years ago by Dixon – then a classical piano major at the University of Miami – and his two college roommates, bassist Winston Harrison and drummer Jano Rix, the [The Gabe Dixon Band] added a sax player and spent several years specializing in jazz-inflected, heavily improvised excursions, showcasing the virtuosity of the players. Dixon’s elevated chops also led to some high-profile moonlighting: along with performing with Alison Krauss, O.A.R. and others, the talented youngster played keyboards on Paul McCartney’s Driving Rain, while also backing the great one at the internationally broadcast “Concert For New York City.” McCartney offered him the keyboard slot for his world tour, but Gabe respectfully turned him down to focus his energies on his band’s then-yet-to-be-released Warner Bros. debut.

Interview with Gabe Dixon, from CrossWalk, August 2008:

At what point did you end up collaborating with Paul McCartney, and what was he like to work with?

Our producer happened to be producing Paul’s album Driving Rain in the same studio the following month. He heard me record an organ pass in the studio and came back in and was like, “Man, you’re really good! Wanna play on the next Paul McCartney album?” And I was like, “What do you think?”So that’s how it started and I got to spend six weeks recording with him, plus perform with him at the Concert for New York City [following 9/11]. He’s a very warm, caring, and funny individual, and not to sound weird, but he’s just one of those people who almost seems to glow whenever you’re around him. One of the one main regrets I have of not going out on tour with him was because he was such a great guy to be around. I wish I could’ve hung out more around him.

So why did you turn him down? How do you say no to touring with Paul McCartney?

It was not an easy decision, but after the Concert for New York City, my band’s record was about to come out and there were a ton of dates booked. All along I really thought it was a great experience to record [with Paul], but I never intended to do anything beyond that. So I was faced with this decision where I felt like I needed to decide what do with life, and I asked myself things like What brings me alive inside? and What am I called to do? I prayed a lot about that decision for sure. Prayer is a big part of my life today and always has been. I prayed about it a great deal and tried to listen for an answer, so that when I finally made the decision, I knew it was the right one. I had guidance, realizing that I was given gifts as singer and songwriter, as well as an opportunity with a major record label to follow my bliss.

Albums, EPs & singles which Gabe Dixon contributed to