Simon Paton is a composer, bassist, researcher and event curator based in Birmingham. A graduate of University of West London where he studied bass guitar and jazz composition, he formed Selectric – a prog-jazz group which released two well received EPs and toured frequently. Since then, he has been actively involved in the free improvisation, experimental rock and contemporary new music circles, including playing in Apocalypse Jazz Unit.
Currently he is studying for a PhD in composition at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under the supervision of Ed Bennett and Sean Clancy and his research has been presented at conferences throughout Europe. Current projects include the transatlantic no wave duo Phame and a duo with Robert Nettleship. He is also the founder of Thinking/Not Thinking Fest – a festival celebrating genre contrasts and more recently organises the concert series dedicated to improvised music; Don’t Mind Control.
He is one of Sound and Music Associates in the Birmingham region.