Paul Von Mertens teaches foundational to advanced saxophone, flute and clarinet at Phil Circle Music Chicago.

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Paul is a Chicago-based composer/arranger and performer on saxophone, flute, clarinet and harmonica.  He has been a member of the Brian Wilson Band since 1999 and is currently musical director.

He has played and recorded with a variety of artists including Mavis Staples, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Stereolab, The Sea and Cake, Poi Dog Pondering, Wilco and Mono.  Paul joined Brian and The Beach Boys for their 50th anniversary tour in 2012 as co-music director.

Paul has written arrangements, orchestration and performed for Brian Wilson’s tour and Grammy-winning recording of “SMiLE”, the Pet Sounds Tour, “Live In London”, “Getting’ In Over My Head”, “That Lucky Old Sun”, “Wilson Re-Imagines Gershwin”, “In The Key Of Disney” and “That’s Why God Made The Radio”.

His arrangement of “Dvorak Remix Fantasy” was premiered at Orchestra Hall with Poi Dog Pondering and the Chicago Sinfionetta in 2005, and “Carmen Remix” in 2007. Other orchestral arrangements have been performed by the Boston Pops, Grant Park Orchestra and Kennedy Center Opera Players.

Writing credits include music for Steppenwolf Theater, the Peabody award winning documentary “The Lost Children of Rockdale County” and “Merchants of Cool” for Frontline and the long running “Workplace Essential Skills” for PBS.