PAUL CORNISH

Biography

Paul Cornish is a rising star in the jazz world, born in Houston, Texas, to a musical family. His older brother, Phil Cornish, is a Grammy-winning keyboardist who has worked with Kanye West. Paul began his musical journey early, learning drums and percussion as a toddler and starting classical piano lessons at age five. He was deeply influenced by Robert Glasper's music, which he discovered during a summer jazz workshop. Cornish attended the prestigious High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, a school known for producing talented musicians like Jason Moran and Robert Glasper. He later moved to Los Angeles to study at the USC Thornton School of Music and was awarded a fellowship at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz at UCLA. Cornish's musical style blends jazz with elements of gospel and pop, reflecting his diverse background and influences. His debut album, You’re Exaggerating, showcases his ability to create deeply personal and collaborative music. Cornish is known for his improvisational philosophy, which emphasizes openness to unexpected moments both in music and life. He has collaborated with prominent artists such as Joshua Redman, Kanye West, and HAIM, and has performed globally, including at Carnegie Hall and Blue Note venues. Cornish is also an educator, advocating for arts education in public schools and teaching at various institutions. His legacy is marked by his contributions to contemporary jazz and his commitment to fostering a sense of community through music.

Fun Facts

• Paul Cornish won the 2018 American Jazz Piano Competition.
• He was a finalist in the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Competition and the 2023 Herbie Hancock International Jazz Piano Competition.
• Cornish's music often reflects his background in church music, where he led genre-blurring gospel sessions from a young age.
• He is an advocate for arts education in public schools.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Herbie Hancock - Mentor at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz (Institute programs) [Recent years]
• Wayne Shorter - Artist-in-residence at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz (Institute programs) [Recent years]
• Robert Glasper - Early influence and inspiration (Albums like 'Double Booked') [Early career]

Key Collaborators

• Joshua Redman - Collaboration on Redman's album Words Fall Short (Words Fall Short) [Recent years]
• Kanye West - Collaboration through his brother Phil Cornish (Sunday Service Choir) [Recent years]
• Louis Cole - Collaboration on various projects (Multiple live performances) [Recent years]
• HAIM - Collaboration on live performances (Live shows) [Recent years]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. Golden Age (Outside World 3)
2. Fall In Fall Out (Outside World 3)
3. Breathing Wish (Outside World 3)
4. Outro (Outside World 3)
5. Second to None (Tomorrow's Journey)
6. Where Within (Floor Plans)
7. Spiders (Floor Plans)
8. Tomorrow's Journey (Tomorrow's Journey)
9. DSP (Floor Plans)
10. Reminisce (Reminisce)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not available)