Who is Paul Bax?

2011-07-11T20:47:42.108-05:00

In the beginning...
The year was 1993. Everything appeared peaceful in the so-called JKD Family, yet beneath the seemingly calm waters of Bruce Lee's art, there was dissension among his students that threatened the very foundation of the JKD hierarchy. Enter Paul Bax, a dedicated individual in the study of the life of Bruce Lee and his art of Jeet Kune Do. For the previous nine years Bax had been compiling and accumulating information about Lee's philosophy, students and most importantly his method of fighting, "the way of the intercepting fist." Throughout his "career" as a historian on Bruce Lee and JKD, Bax was starting to uncover some great discrepancies in what some of Lee's disciples were preaching and what Bruce Lee actually professed in his own teachings.

In April of 1993, Bax wrote the article that rocked the world of Jeet Kune Do entitled, "THE RETURN OF BRUCE LEE'S JEET KUNE DO". This article set off an avalanche of criticism on one side of the JKD family and praise from the other. While such phrases had circulated before, the terms "Original Jeet Kune Do" and "Jeet Kune Do Concepts" were now on the lips of anyone with even remote interest in Lee's method of fighting. The battle lines had been drawn. Who was really following what Bruce Lee had taught and professed during his short and climactic life? Over the next three years both sides exchanged jabs at one another, with the wife of a certain student writing a harsh letter to a prominent magazine claiming no-one but her spouse had received their certification from Bruce Lee, thus making him the only qualified individual to speak on Lee's art of Jeet Kune Do. Any individual who would dare to question his authority or actions in the development of Jeet Kune Do was quite simply, wrong. Naturally, this letter served only to stir the situation up and cause even more division.

Finally, in 1996, a meeting was called among Lee's top students. In the months before the meeting, another Bruce Lee historian, John Little, was called upon to provide background as to what had been published in the magazines over the previous years regarding Lee's art by people both legitimate and "outsiders" within the realms of JKD. None other than Bruce Lee's widow, Mrs. Linda Lee Cadwell, made this request. Mr. Little, a comrade and friend of Bax's for over two years, immediately remembered his collection of articles on everything pertaining to Jeet Kune Do. After a long day in front of a copier, Bax reproduced for the "first lady of Jeet Kune Do," a mini-reproduction of my massive collection of material regarding anything to do with her late husband's art and disciples. After the meeting took place, Mrs. Cadwell wrote a wonderful letter thanking Bax for his efforts and wrote that the information "was invaluable to my 'reeducation' as to what has been happening in the world of Jeet Kune Do."

Paul Bax has been involved in the martial arts since the early 1980's and holds a black belt in Okinawa-Te karate. After viewing Bruce Lee's movie, The Chinese Connection, Bax dived into his study of Bruce Lee's life and art of Jeet Kune Do. His journey has led him to speak privately to numerous students of Bruce Lee who have kept in close contact with him on a regular basis.

In 1993, Bax wrote and produced the newsletter, The Jun Fan Journal, which had a very loyal following amongst JKD practitioners and fans of the action stars movies. While publishing the newsletter, he met and became friends with John Little, the top Bruce Lee historian at the time. Little and Bax corresponded frequently about the political under currents in Bruce Lee's art of Jeet Kune Do. Little conducted two highly informative interviews with Bax that laid the groundwork to form the now extinct governing body of Lee's art, The Jun Fan Jeet Kune Nucleus. Little, per the request of Lee's widow, Linda Lee, asked Bax to put together a binder of material from his archives that outlined what has been claimed over the years in regards to what was Jeet Kune Do for the first "meeting of the minds" amongst Bruce Lee's most active and or vocal students. Bax had previously worked in a copy center where he was able to copy what he wanted, when he wanted. Kym Huie, Bax's friend and coach, passed on his vast magazine collection to the author, which he then systematically documented every article about Bruce Lee known to man. Bax kept up with the magazines himself via subscriptions and like a librarian, catalogued each article according to the author and or subject. This material laid the groundwork to reveal what many have suspected for years: not everyone is telling the truth about their training and or time with Bruce Lee. Nor were some telling the truth about Jeet Kune Do was as Lee himself taught the art.

In 1996, Bax released his book, Reflections Of Bruce Lee, a collection of his interviews with various students of Bruce Lee. Although not widely distributed, the book was a hit with fans that enjoyed having all of Bax's treasured interviews in one place.

In 1997, Bax was one of only a few hundred people invited to the first Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus seminar/banquet hosted by Lee's family and students. To receive an invitation, one had to be personally invited by a member of the JFJKD board members. Both Linda Lee and LA Chinatown student, Steve Golden, invited Bax to the esteemed event. The seminar/banquet was a huge success with the hotel training area packed to the max. A dinner followed which was quite inspirational and motivational to all of the attendants. Bax proudly gave a copy of his book to Linda Lee, which she later included in recommended reading material via the Nucleus organization's website and newsletter.

After some heated battles on internet chat rooms with both practitioners who did not see eye to eye with his views and Linda Lee's second husband (Tom Bleecker) Bax decided to take a break from his study of Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do. He later returned with a vengeance when a friend summoned him to a popular JKD forum. After causing quite a stir, Bax was promptly banned from the site. Sometimes the truth hurts. He went on to start his own Internet chat forum, which is now called, The JKD Brotherhood (formerly known as, "The Paul Bax Show"). The forum, which has members from across the globe is honored by visits from such Lee students as Jesse Glover, Jim DeMile, Steve Golden, Pat Strong and probably a few others who want to remain anonymous. Participants in the forum also include well known second generation students such as William Holland, Tim Tackett, Chris Sutton, Lamar Davis II, Bill Mattuci, Tommy Carruthers, Joel "Chi Hand" Weingberg, Dr. Jerry Beasley, Rafael Figuero, Richard Torres, Bob Landers and many, many more. The site was listed in Inside Kung Fu as "dot com of the month" and has had over a million visitors.

Introduction
Paul Bax has been studying the art of Jeet Kune Do since 1986. Through out his years of studying the art he has amassed an enormous collection of books, tapes and DVD's on the art. He primary JKD instructor was a little known but highly skilled man by the name of Kym Huie. Bax has attended Nucleus events where he trained (in a group setting) with such JFJKD luminaries as: Taky Kimura, Howard Williams, David Cox, Greglon Lee, Allen Joe, the Magdangel Brothers, Steve Golden, Richard Bustillo, Larry Hartsell (deceased), Ted Wong, Bob Bremer, Pete Jacobs, Tim Tackett, Cass Magda, Chris Kent, Diana Lee Inosanto, Vern Rochon and many more. He has trained in private seminars with both Pat Strong and Ted Wong (3) and Jesse Glover. Earnest Hart, Jr., former four time welterweight kickboxing champion, has personally trained Bax twice and will continue to do so as his busy schedule permits. Although no training took place, Bax recently spent a week with the late Skip Ellsworth, Lee's third student in America at his home in the Philippines. Due to Skip's health issues at the time, he was not able to share his physical knowledge of his training with Bruce Lee. However, their daily lunches and dinners together provided many interesting insights into "the little dragon".

Bax is also known as a JKD historian due to his in-depth interviews with Sijo Lee's students over the past 15 years. Those interviews include: Taky Kimura, Joe Cowles, Pat Strong, Jesse Glover, James DeMile, Skip Ellsworth, Howard Williams, Leo Fong, Allen Joe, Bob Bremer, Bill Bremer, Steve Golden, George Dillman, Bob Wall, Joe Lewis, Steve Johnson, Richard Bustillo and Ted Wong. He has published two books. His first book, Disciples of the Dragon, contains interviews with Lee's actual students while his second, Descendents of the Dragon, contains interviews with second generation students of JKD and various spin-off's of his art (Wing Chun Do, Wu-Wei, etc.). Bax is the former editor of, "The Jun Fan Journal" a newsletter devoted to Bruce Lee and his art of Jeet Kune Do. The newsletter ended in 1995.

His forum is one of the most controversial and frequently visited sites on the net.

Noteworthy About Paul Bax

1982
Began Tae Kwon Do training under Charles Roth (deceased)

1986
Obtained Black Belt in Okinawa-Te from Stan Weyrauch.

1986
Began studying Jeet Kune Do under Kym Huie as well as researching the art on his own.

1990
Awarded Sho-Dan rank from Mizu-Ryu Budo Association (Larry Croft and Barry Ballowe/Head instructors).

1993
First published in April issue of Inside Karate magazine (has since been published in Inside Kung Fu, Black Belt and several other martial arts publications).

1994
Publisher and editor of, "The Jun Fan Journal", a newsletter containing news, reviews and interviews about Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do.

1996
Summoned by Linda Lee Cadwell to assemble a binder of information to review for the first JFJKD Nucleus meeting.

1997
Published first book, "Reflections of Bruce Lee" which compiled all of Bax's interviews into one book.

1997
Personally invited by both Steve Golden and Linda Lee Cadwell to the first JFJKD Nucleus Seminar and banquet where he worked out and trained with various JFJKD instructors (in a group setting) such as Taky Kimura, Howard Williams, Dan Lee, Richard Bustillo, Larry Hartsell, Ted Wong, Bob Bremer and many others.

2002
Created/hosted, "The Paul Bax Show" later renamed, "The JKD Brotherhood" forum which boasts over 3000 members and is frequented by several original students of Bruce Lee and various second-generation JKD instructors.

2003
Website/Forum is named "dot-com of the month" of the month by Inside Kung Fu.

2004
Attended one day seminar in Kansas City with Bruce Lee's Seattle student, Pat Strong.
Founded, "The JKD Brotherhood" website and organization to promote Jeet Kune Do and serve as a clearing house of information on the art.
Attended seminar by Patrick Strong in Kansas City, Missouri on "Deep Level Jeet Kune Do".

2005
Released, "Disciples of the Dragon" a revised edition of his first book with more interviews.

2006
Edited former world welter-weight champion, Earnest Hart's book, "How to Vacation and Travel Safely".

2007
Edited George Hajnasr's book, "JKD: The System Without A System".

2007
Released, "Descendents of the Dragon" a book containing interviews with the top second and third generation JKD instructors.

2007
Attended two day seminar with Ted Wong in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

2008

Awarded the Letter of Founding Member, Representative and Advisor in the U.S.A. for the Jeet Kune Do Health and Humanitarian Organisation Ltd. A not-for-profit Organisation affiliated to the SMOKH, and legally registered in the U.K., Founded by Dr. C. Gigante McBaine.
Attended a two-day Chow Wuyi Dao Modified Gung Fu (JKD) Workshop in Cebu, Philippines at Bruce Lee's third student, Skip Ellsworth's resort. The Workshop was taught by Prof. Dr. C.G. “Qiang Chow” McBaine and all proceeds went to benefit, "The Alfonso Fund" for under privileged Filipino children needing medical care. Mr. Bax taught some of the finer points of the straight lead during the seminar.
Awarded the Rank of “Honourable Sifu” in Chow Wuyi Dao Modified Gung Fu (JKD) by Re-establishing Founder, Prof. Dr. C.G. “Qiang Chow” McBaine, for all previous martial arts accomplishments and experience.
Released the final version of, "Disciples of the Dragon" which featured new interviews with Bill Bremer, Skip Ellsworth, Ted Wong and Pat Strong.
Organized and hosted, "The Disciples of the Dragon Seminar: First Student/Last Student". This two-day seminar was taught by Bruce Lee's first student, Jesse Glover and his last student, Ted Wong. Over 35 students attended from across the USA.
Listed on Black Belt magazines website as an authority on Jeet Kune Do in their profiles section.
Attended two-day seminar with Ted Wong in Tulsa, Oklahoma (September).

2009

Received "Letter of Humanitarian Status" from Dr. C. Gigante McBaine for being recognized as helping to serve the poor, needy and dissolute worldwide.
Featured in John Overall's book, "Bruce Lee Review".
Martial Arts Illustrated featured and reviewed, "Disciples of the Dragon".
Interviewed in Martial Arts Illustrated by John Overall.
Published in Black Belt magazines October Bruce Lee special issue which featured the one and only interview ever with Lee's third student, Skip Ellsworth.
Organized and hosted the second annual, "Disciples of the Dragon Seminar: First Student/Last Student". This two-day seminar was taught by Bruce Lee's first student, Jesse Glover and his last student, Ted Wong. Over 35 students attended from across the USA.
Attended two day seminar with Ted Wong in Tulsa, Oklahoma (which became Ted Wong's last seminar ever taught).

2010
Published in the book, BRUCE LEE LIVES, which quoted interviews from Bax's discussions with Taky Kimura and Jesse Glover (released by the Hong Kong Film Society in collaboration with the Bruce Lee Foundation).

2011

Attended the small memorial for Bruce Lee's student and friend, Ted Wong (who passed 11/24/2010).
Published in April issue of Inside Kung Fu with his obituary on the late, Ted Wong.
Sponsored "Oakland Jeet Kune Do Memorial Seminar", hosted by Michael Quijano.
Special guest at first annual New York Jeet Kune Do Summit/Descendents of the Dragon seminar, hosted by Richard Torres.

To contact Paul Bax, click here.

How do I obtain a listing in your directory?

2011-04-02T21:10:37.332-05:00

To obtain a listing in our general directory, simply fill out the contact form with the necessary information and you will be listed as soon as possible. If you have a picture to add of yourself or you logo you can attach that to the form. The listing is free. If you would like a more high profile listing on this site, check out the, Descendents of the Dragon page or simply become JKD Brotherhood Gold Member.

What is "The JKD Store"?

2011-04-02T21:08:31.175-05:00

The JKD Store is a great place to find items related to JKD such as Paul Bax's two books (Disciples of the Dragon and in soft-bound version and or ebooks. In addition, you can also find t-shirts exclusively offered by Zazzle and learn how to become a Gold Member (includes both soft-bound books and exclusive membership certificate) of The JKD Brotherhood. Also check out the all new "Teri Tom Store". Teri was known as Ted Wong's protege for ten years. In addition, check out the rarest of the rare! Letters, cards and even training equipment signed by Lee's own students and their proteges. Not to be missed!

What is "The JKD Brotherhood"?

2011-04-02T21:00:03.190-05:00

Introduction
The JKD Brotherhood was created to unify the various Jeet Kune Do factions that have evolved over the last 30 years since the untimely death of Si-Jo Lee. As a non-political organization, our website will serve as the definitive library of information regarding Lee's students (all generations), his Wing Chun years and the art of Jeet Kune Do.

The JKD Brotherhood forum has been in existence since 2002 and is visited by Lee's students such as Jesse Glover, Pat Strong, Steve Golden, Allen Joe and James DeMile in addition to multiple second-generation students such as William Holland, Bill Matucci, Tim Tackett and many, many more. We welcome you to join the forum and share your knowledge, opinions and insights on the art of Jeet Kune Do.

Disclaimer

How can I contact The JKD Brotherhood or Paul Bax?

2011-02-17T16:44:39.783-06:00

Email: jkdbrotherhood@aol.com
Skype: jkdbrotherhood
Facebook: www.facebook.com/paulbax

What is the difference between a "general member" and a "Gold member"?

2010-07-05T11:28:41.188-05:00

Membership
General membership is free to the JKD Brotherhood. All we ask is that you provide a legitimate name, and contact information. You will be listed in our general directory unless you inform us not to list you. Gold Members will receive copies of Paul Bax's two book's, Descendents of the Dragon and Disciples of the Dragon along with a membership certificate, signed by Paul Bax. Please see our JKD Store for more information about becoming a member.

BONUS! Gold Members will also receive their school listed on the Descendents of the Dragon page (which serves to promote you, your school and or instructor).

What are the goals of The JKD Brotherhood?

2010-05-02T15:12:15.306-05:00

Goals
◦ To unify practitioners of Bruce Lee's various eras of teaching so they can have a better understanding of what Lee taught at different periods of his life time.

◦ To provide a way for practitioners to network so they can find others who share their same goals to workout with and exchange ideas within their area.

◦ To keep JKD practitioners and Bruce Lee's fans updated on the latest books, DVDs and any product related to Lee and his art of Jeet Kune Do.

◦ To provide the most accurate historical data on Bruce Lee, his students and the art of Jeet Kune Do.

What is the "Descendents of the Dragon" page?

2010-03-09T18:32:00.747-06:00

The "Descendents of the Dragon" page is a special page for those in the martial arts community who are looking for a more direct way to be noticed by viewers of The JKD Brotherhood website. For a low one time fee, your logo will be placed on this special page with a direct link to your home page that will either be displayed directly within my site or on your own home page (depends on how fickle your link is). The cost of the listing is beneficial to The JKD Brotherhood since it helps with the up keep of the site (hosting, etc.) and it also benefits the school and or practitioner who signs up because their website is easily accessible by our huge readership.

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