Henry Panion
Encyclopedia
Henry Panion, III is an American composer, arranger, conductor, educator, and Professor in the Department of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
. He holds degrees in music education and music theory from Alabama A & M University and the Ohio State University
, respectively. Panion is most known for his work as conductor and arranger for superstar Stevie Wonder
, for whose performances and recordings he has led many of the world’s most notable orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
, the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra, the Birmingham (England) Symphony, the Orchestre de Paris
, the Melbourne Symphony, the Rio de Janeiro Philharmonic, the Ra’anana Philharmonic, the Nice Symphony, the Gothenburg Symphony, and the Boston Pops Orchestra
. The two-CD set Natural Wonder features Dr. Panion conducting his arrangements of many of Stevie Wonder’s award-winning, chart-topping songs asccompanied by the Tokyo Philharmonic.
Panion has produced, arranged and conducted for a number of other noted artists, such as The Winans
, Chet Atkins
, Ellis Marsalis, Jr.
with the SuperJazz Big Band, Eugenia Zukerman
, Aretha Franklin
, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Chaka Khan
, the Lionel Hampton
Orchestra, and American Idol winners Carrie Underwood
and Ruben Studdard
.
Dr. Panion’s own works are performed by many of this country’s major orchestras, including the Atlanta Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Cleveland Orchestra
, Philadelphia Orchestra
, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, San Francisco Symphony
, Houston Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra. A list of other orchestras performing Panion’s works includes San Antonio, Nova Scotia, Columbus, Charlotte, San Diego, Louisville, North Carolina, Indianapolis, Arkansas, Jacksonville, Alabama, and the former Birmingham Metropolitan Orchestra, for which he served as Music Director from 1995-1997.
Dr. Panion’s work has been awarded two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, and a host of other national music awards and nominations. From 1994 to 2000, Dr. Panion was chair of the Department of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
. Panion founded the UAB Recording Studio, where award winning recordings by such groups as the UAB Gospel Choir and the UAB Jazz Ensemble have been produced.
Dr. Panion will receive the Civic and Cultural Advancement Award from the Congressional Black Caucus Sept. 25 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.source
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
. He holds degrees in music education and music theory from Alabama A & M University and the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, respectively. Panion is most known for his work as conductor and arranger for superstar Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, for whose performances and recordings he has led many of the world’s most notable orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra, the Birmingham (England) Symphony, the Orchestre de Paris
Orchestre de Paris
The Orchestre de Paris is a French orchestra based in Paris. The orchestra performs most of its concerts at the Salle Pleyel.-History:In 1967, following the dissolution of the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, conductor Charles Munch was called on by the Minister of Culture,...
, the Melbourne Symphony, the Rio de Janeiro Philharmonic, the Ra’anana Philharmonic, the Nice Symphony, the Gothenburg Symphony, and the Boston Pops Orchestra
Boston Pops Orchestra
The Boston Pops Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in playing light classical and popular music....
. The two-CD set Natural Wonder features Dr. Panion conducting his arrangements of many of Stevie Wonder’s award-winning, chart-topping songs asccompanied by the Tokyo Philharmonic.
Panion has produced, arranged and conducted for a number of other noted artists, such as The Winans
The Winans
The Winans are an American Gospel music quartet from Detroit, Michigan consisting of brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald Winans.-Members:Please refer to the Winans family page for more detail on the individual members.-Origins:...
, Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who, along with Owen Bradley, created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.Atkins's picking style, inspired by Merle...
, Ellis Marsalis, Jr.
Ellis Marsalis, Jr.
Ellis Marsalis is an American musician. He can usually be seen performing on Fridays at Snug Harbor jazz bistro in New Orleans.- Life and career :...
with the SuperJazz Big Band, Eugenia Zukerman
Eugenia Zukerman
Eugenia Rich Zukerman is an American flutist, writer, and journalist. An internationally renowned flute virtuoso, Mrs Zukerman has been performing with major orchestras and at major music festivals internationally for more than three decades...
, Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
, the Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy...
Orchestra, and American Idol winners Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
and Ruben Studdard
Ruben Studdard
Christopher Theodore Ruben Studdard , best known as Ruben Studdard, is an American R&B, pop, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol...
.
Dr. Panion’s own works are performed by many of this country’s major orchestras, including the Atlanta Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the five American orchestras informally referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1918, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Severance Hall...
, Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, San Francisco Symphony
San Francisco Symphony
The San Francisco Symphony is an orchestra based in San Francisco, California. Since 1980, the orchestra has performed at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus are part of the organization...
, Houston Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra. A list of other orchestras performing Panion’s works includes San Antonio, Nova Scotia, Columbus, Charlotte, San Diego, Louisville, North Carolina, Indianapolis, Arkansas, Jacksonville, Alabama, and the former Birmingham Metropolitan Orchestra, for which he served as Music Director from 1995-1997.
Dr. Panion’s work has been awarded two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, and a host of other national music awards and nominations. From 1994 to 2000, Dr. Panion was chair of the Department of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
. Panion founded the UAB Recording Studio, where award winning recordings by such groups as the UAB Gospel Choir and the UAB Jazz Ensemble have been produced.
Dr. Panion will receive the Civic and Cultural Advancement Award from the Congressional Black Caucus Sept. 25 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.source
Selected discography
- Stevie Wonder. "Natural Wonder" (2005) Arranged and conducted by Henry Panion.
- Ruben Studdard. "The Return" Produced, arranged, orchestrated and conducted by Henry Panion.
- Ellis MarsalisEllis Marsalis, Jr.Ellis Marsalis is an American musician. He can usually be seen performing on Fridays at Snug Harbor jazz bistro in New Orleans.- Life and career :...
and the SuperJazz Big Band. "UAB SuperJazz, Featuring Ellis MarsalisUAB SuperJazz, Featuring Ellis MarsalisUAB SuperJazz, Featuring Ellis Marsalis is a CD, recorded in 2001 by the SuperJazz Big Band of Birmingham, Alabama with guest piano soloist Ellis Marsalis...
" (2001) Co-produced by Henry Panion and UAB Jazz Ensemble Director Ray ReachRay ReachRaymond Everett Reach, Jr. is an American pianist, vocalist and educator residing in Birmingham, Alabama, now serving as Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, director of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars and President and CEO of Ray Reach Music and Magic City...
, recorded at the Alys Stephens CenterAlys Stephens CenterThe Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility located on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham . It hosts over 250,000 people for more than 300 diverse events annually. The ASC is the center for entertainment and arts education in...
. - Jonathan ButlerJonathan ButlerJonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music is often classified as R&B, jazz fusion or worship music.-Biography:...
and Juanita BynumJuanita BynumJuanita Bynum is an American Pentecostal televangelist, author, actress and gospel singer.-Early life:Juanita Bynum is one of 5 children, from the marriage of Elder Thomas Bynum Sr. and Katherine Bynum. She grew up in Chicago, and received a starring role in Perry Middle School's annual play, My...
with the Gospel Goes Classical Orchestra. "Gospel Goes Classical" (2006). Produced by Henry Panion. Arrangements by Henry Panion, Michael Loveless and Ray ReachRay ReachRaymond Everett Reach, Jr. is an American pianist, vocalist and educator residing in Birmingham, Alabama, now serving as Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, director of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars and President and CEO of Ray Reach Music and Magic City...
. #2 Gospel Album in the US. #3 in the BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Classical Crossover category. - Annetta Nunn (Birmighham Police Chief) "Gospel In Blues" (2007). Produced by Henry Panion. Horn arrangements by Ray ReachRay ReachRaymond Everett Reach, Jr. is an American pianist, vocalist and educator residing in Birmingham, Alabama, now serving as Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, director of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars and President and CEO of Ray Reach Music and Magic City...
.
External links
- Henry Panion official website