Experience the soulful guitar sounds of Paul Burke
Australian-born guitarist Paul Burke, now based in Brighton, UK, is a versatile and expressive musician whose playing draws from jazz, funk, heavy rock and blues. Inspired by the soulful groove of Grant Green and Wes Montgomery, Paul combines deep musicality and highly charged improvisation with a passion for feel and groove.
With decades of experience performing, touring and teaching, he brings raw enthusiasm, energy and versatility to every project and stage. Explore Paul’s latest performances, videos and projects, or get in touch for bookings, tuition and collaborations.
My Musical journey so far.
Paul Burke is an Australian-born guitarist based in Brighton on England’s South Coast, whose playing bridges the worlds of rock, funk, jazz and heavier music with equal conviction. Whether it’s the raw energy of a hard rock stage or the deep groove of his jazz trio, Paul’s musical approach is rooted in feel, versatility and a lifelong dedication to the guitar.
Originally from the regional city of Ballarat, Victoria, Paul studied an Advanced Diploma of Music before completing a Bachelor of Music at Melbourne Polytechnic (formerly NMIT), where he studied under respected guitarist Tom Fryer. While his formal training provided a broad technical foundation, it was his extensive study and transcription of Grant Green, Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell that left the deepest mark on his musical identity. Green’s blues-soaked phrasing, infectious groove and bebop vocabulary remain a constant influence, while Wes Montgomery’s climactic octave solos have shaped Paul’s love of the soulful, groove-driven jazz of the 1950s and ’60s.
Before relocating to Brighton in early 2025, Paul worked full-time for nine years as an instrumental guitar teacher with Victoria’s Department of Education through the Bendigo Instrumental Music Program. Teaching across four secondary schools, he delivered specialist guitar tuition, directed ensembles and workshops, and helped develop the next generation of musicians through performance-based education.
Away from teaching, Paul built a reputation as a dependable fill-in guitarist throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. He has toured nationally with Melbourne hard rock acts Ash Acid and Marz, delivering high-energy performances while maintaining an active career in original music. Alongside touring, Paul has performed in various music theatre productions and established himself as a guitar transcriptionist. His YouTube channel, Paul Burke Guitar, has grown to more than 4,000 subscribers through its collection of jazz and contemporary guitar transcriptions, gear reviews, improvisation lessons and educational content.
Paul has consistently led and performed with funk and groove-oriented jazz projects, exploring the intersection of both groove and modern improvisation. Now based in Brighton, he continues that journey with his own jazz trio, featuring Lloyd Cote on upright bass and Al Banerjee on drums.
Recent highlights of Paul’s performances include the sold-out Brighton concert A Tribute to Grant Green, where he joined acclaimed guitarists Jason Henson and Lionel Phillip to celebrate the music of one of his greatest influences.
Today, Paul performs throughout the South Coast of the UK while continuing to develop original jazz projects, educational content and collaborations that reflect his passion for groove, improvisation and stylistic versatility.
