When guitarist Melvin Henderson, organist Gerry Youngman and drummer Jared Schonig play together, they become Paradigm Shift, a powerhouse fusion of diverse musical styles, originality and intensity. Natural flair and years of music-making experience make these three distinct, dynamic and accomplished artists a jazz tour de force.

Paradigm Shift has worked together for many years developing their own sound and touring the United States and Europe. Their release Shifting Times was their debut album on Nagel-Heyer Records. They invited their fellow musicians trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, trumpeter Marcus Printup, vibraphonist Joe Locke, and saxophonist Bill Tiberio to join them in the studio.

The result of this collaboration is an outstanding recording by some of today’s hottest jazz musicians.Paradigm Shift was founded in the late 80’s by Melvin Henderson, a traditional and progressive jazz guitarist, whose influences are George Benson, Pat Metheny, and Wes Montgomery.

The album “Street Expressionism” was released March 2007:

“Street Expressionism” is the follow-up to the Top Ten US Jazz Radio Charts recording “Shifting Times” (nh 2053).

After a two year wait before going back in the studio, Paradigm Shift played, lived, and observed as much of life as we could all in an effort to become a closer musical family.

“Street Expressionism” is a direct result of those observations. The musicians long ago decided that, although the jazz standards of yesteryear contained all the knowledge they collectively loved or for that matter needed, it was important to express some of the many other musical influences that have shaped them.

The album is a collection of original, traditional, and funk styles of jazz. They pay homage to the masters knowing that we will be learning from them for a lifetime. PARADIGM SHIFT also know that there is much to learn from the many voices, sounds and observations of the streets we traverse everyday, sometimes the expressions are humorous, sometimes sad but if we look just beyond the surface, always real. Enjoy this music on any musical, spiritual, intellectual level you may find yourself.