Paul Sullivan (composer)

For other people named Paul Sullivan, see Paul Sullivan (disambiguation).

Paul Sullivan (born July 31, 1955) 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[1] and a regular composer for the Pilobolus Dance Theater.[2] Sullivan's first major choral work, River, was premiered in 2010 by the Bagaduce Chorale of Blue Hill, Maine.[3]

Early life, education and early career

Sullivan was born and grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended St. Paul's Choir School from its founding in 1963 until 1969. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy[4] 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 clubs. He had a variety of freelance jobs including playing for and conducting Broadway shows.

River Music

In 1988 Sullivan moved to Brooklin, Maine to write music. He and his wife, Jillson Knowles, founded the record company River Music.[5] 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[6] and off-Broadway in New York City in 2010.[7]

Sullivan's jazz ballad "Whisper" was a finalist in the 2009 International Songwriting Competition. The song was recorded by Theresa Thomason, with whom Sullivan regularly performs, and appears on Sullivan's album "Break Away", with his jazz ensemble PS Jazz.[8]

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.[9]

Writing

Sullivan is also known for his writing. In the spring of 1994 he attended the International Cello Festival in Manchester England with Eugene Friesen. 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.[10]

Awards

Sullivan received a Grammy Award as a member of the Paul Winter Consort for the 2006 album Silver Solstice.[11] 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

References

  1. ↑ Living Music
  2. ↑ Chelsea Now
  3. ↑ Bangor Daily News
  4. ↑ Phillips Exeter Academy
  5. ↑ River Music
  6. ↑ Maine Public Broadcasting Network
  7. ↑ Irish Arts Center
  8. ↑ International Songwriting Competition
  9. ↑ White on White
  10. ↑ Reader's Digest, November 1996
  11. ↑ Grammy Winners List 2006
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