Paul Sullivan (composer)
Encyclopedia
Paul Sullivan is an American pianist
and composer
whose music blends jazz
and classical styles. He has recorded 14 albums on the River Music label. He is also a member of the Paul Winter Consort
and a regular composer for the Pilobolus Dance Theater. Sullivan's first major choral work, River, was premiered in 2010 by the Bagaduce Chorale of Blue Hill, Maine
.
from its founding in 1963 until 1969. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy
in 1973 and Yale University
in 1977. Sullivan began playing jazz in New Haven, and moved to New York City in 1978 where he performed at Bradley's and other major jazz club
s. He had a variety of freelance jobs including playing for and conducting Broadway shows.
to write music. He and his wife, Jillson Knowles, founded the record company River Music. Sullivan’s early recordings are characterized by inspiration from nature and often include recorded natural sound effects. Several of Sullivan’s recordings have won national independent record awards. His music is broadcast on radio stations around the world.
Sullivan is co-creator of the performance piece A Terrible Beauty, which is based on The Law of Dreams
by Peter Behrens
. The piece was performed in Maine and off-Broadway in New York City in 2010.
Sullivan's jazz ballad "Whisper" was a finalist in the 2009 International Songwriting Competition
. The song was recorded by Theresa Thomason
, who Sullivan regularly performs with.
In the 1990s Sullivan’s record label produced a line of books on tape which included White on White, a selection of E.B. White essays read by Joel White
.
. Sullivan’s story about this event called “The Cellist of Sarajevo” was published in Hope Magazine, Readers Digest Magazine, The Book of Hope, Life Touched With Wonder: Windows of Hope and numerous blogs.
as a member of the Paul Winter Consort
for the 2006 album Silver Solstice. Sullivan also received two NAIRD Indie Awards. In 1992 he won in the category of Seasonal Music for Christmas in Maine and in 1997 he won in the category of Spoken Word for White on White.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
whose music blends jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and classical styles. He has recorded 14 albums on the River Music label. He is also a member of the Paul Winter Consort
Paul Winter Consort
The Paul Winter Consort is an American musical group, led by soprano saxophonist Paul Winter. Founded in 1967, the group mixes elements of jazz, classical music, world music, and the sounds of animals and nature. They are often classified as new age music or "ecological jazz", and their unique...
and a regular composer for the Pilobolus Dance Theater. Sullivan's first major choral work, River, was premiered in 2010 by the Bagaduce Chorale of Blue Hill, Maine
Blue Hill, Maine
Blue Hill is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,390 at the 2000 census. It is home to Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, George Stevens Academy, the now-closed Liberty School, New Surry Theatre, Kneisel Hall, Bagaduce Music Lending Library, the Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club...
.
Early life, education and early career
Sullivan was born and grew up in Boston. He attended The Boston Archdiocesan Choir SchoolBoston Archdiocesan Choir School
The Boston Archdiocesan Choir School is a choir school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A middle school for boys in grades 5-8, BACS is the only boy-choir school in the United States of America affiliated with the Catholic Church. Its choir of boys and men sings for liturgical services at St...
from its founding in 1963 until 1969. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking...
in 1973 and Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1977. Sullivan began playing jazz in New Haven, and moved to New York City in 1978 where he performed at Bradley's and other major jazz club
Jazz club
A jazz club is a venue where the primary entertainment is the performance of live jazz music. Jazz clubs have been in large rooms in the eras of Orchestral jazz and big band jazz and when its popularity as a dance music was common...
s. He had a variety of freelance jobs including playing for and conducting Broadway shows.
River Music
In 1988 Sullivan moved to Brooklin, MaineBrooklin, Maine
Brooklin is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The population was 841 at the 2000 census. It is home to WoodenBoat Magazine Brooklin Boat Yard, and numerous boatbuilders, artists, writers, musicians and potters.-History:...
to write music. He and his wife, Jillson Knowles, founded the record company River Music. Sullivan’s early recordings are characterized by inspiration from nature and often include recorded natural sound effects. Several of Sullivan’s recordings have won national independent record awards. His music is broadcast on radio stations around the world.
Sullivan is co-creator of the performance piece A Terrible Beauty, which is based on The Law of Dreams
The Law of Dreams
The Law of Dreams is a historical fiction novel about the Irish potato famine by Canadian author Peter Behrens. Published in 2006 by House of Anansi Press, it was the recipient of that year's Governor General's Award for English language fiction....
by Peter Behrens
Peter Behrens
Peter Behrens was a German architect and designer. He was important for the modernist movement, as several of the movements leading names worked for him when they were young.-Biography:Behrens attended the Christianeum Hamburg from September 1877 until Easter 1882...
. The piece was performed in Maine and off-Broadway in New York City in 2010.
Sullivan's jazz ballad "Whisper" was a finalist in the 2009 International Songwriting Competition
International Songwriting Competition
The International Songwriting Competition is an annual song contest based in Nashville, TN, whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of...
. The song was recorded by Theresa Thomason
Theresa Thomason
-Musical career:Thomason reached the airwaves with Fresh Enuff, a popular club single and a winning performance at the Apollo Theater in New York City. She toured Europe for over 10 years, performing in over 150 European cities. She remains a featured artist with the Paul Winter Consort at the...
, who Sullivan regularly performs with.
In the 1990s Sullivan’s record label produced a line of books on tape which included White on White, a selection of E.B. White essays read by Joel White
Joel White
Joel White , the son of author E. B. White and New Yorker Magazine editor Katharine Sergeant Angell White, was a renowned U.S. naval architect known for his classic and beautiful designs including the W-Class of boats. Two W boats were posthumously built by Rockport Marine and Brooklin Boat Yard...
.
Writing
Sullivan is also known for his writing. In the spring of 1994 he attended the International Cello Festival in Manchester England with Eugene FriesenEugene Friesen
Eugene Friesen is an American cellist and composer.Friesen is a graduate of the Yale School of Music. He has been a member of the Paul Winter Consort since 1978, and performs with Howard Levy and Glen Velez as Trio Globo...
. Sullivan’s story about this event called “The Cellist of Sarajevo” was published in Hope Magazine, Readers Digest Magazine, The Book of Hope, Life Touched With Wonder: Windows of Hope and numerous blogs.
Awards
Sullivan received a Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
as a member of the Paul Winter Consort
Paul Winter Consort
The Paul Winter Consort is an American musical group, led by soprano saxophonist Paul Winter. Founded in 1967, the group mixes elements of jazz, classical music, world music, and the sounds of animals and nature. They are often classified as new age music or "ecological jazz", and their unique...
for the 2006 album Silver Solstice. Sullivan also received two NAIRD Indie Awards. In 1992 he won in the category of Seasonal Music for Christmas in Maine and in 1997 he won in the category of Spoken Word for White on White.
Discography
- 1987: Sketches of Maine
- 1988: A Visit to the Rockies
- 1990: Folk Art
- 1991: Nights in the Gardens of Maine
- 1992: Christmas in Maine
- 1993: A Paul Sullivan Collection
- 1993: Wild Fox - book on tape
- 1995: Half Truths and Whole Lies - book on tape
- 1996: Circle ‘Round the Seasons
- 1996: White on White - book on tape
- 1996: 50’s Slow Dance
- 1997: More 50’s Slow Dances
- 1998: 60’s Sweet and Bittersweet
- 1998: Young at Heart
- 1999: Slow Sweet Swing
- 2002: Songs Without Words
- 2003: Yuletide
- 2005: Silver Solstice - Grammy Award winner
- 2007: Christmas in Maine - guest appearance
- 2007: My Irish Soul
- 2008: Break Away
- 2010: Amazing Music of Maine - guest appearance
- 2010: Painters, Poets and Players - guest appearance