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Patrick Cornelius

After 18 years in New York City, alto saxophonist and composer Patrick Cornelius has cultivated a substantial body of work as a composer and bandleader, and performed his original music in some of the world’s top jazz venues. Hailed as “self-assured" and “resourceful" by The New York Times, “Elegant" and “Extraordinary" by DownBeat Magazine (in whose annual Critics Poll he has been listed among the “Rising Stars" multiple times), and “Bold and Gifted," by All About Jazz, Cornelius’ discography of six albums as a leader (and two as co-leader) features established masters (like Jeff Ballard and Frank Kimbrough) as well as rising stars (including Gerald Clayton, Kendrick Scott, and Miles Okazaki). As a composer, Cornelius has earned an array of awards and commissions, including four consecutive ASCAP “Young Composer Awards," (now Herb Alpert Award) and Chamber Music America’s “New Jazz Works" in 2012, and has been commissioned to compose and arrange original music for ensembles across the globe. Cornelius’ latest album, This Should Be Fun (Posi-Tone 2019) sees him coming to terms with who he is as a musician, and embracing his own aesthetic after a career of being many things at once. He is joined on the album by veteran musicians Ben Allison, John Escreet, Nick Vayenas, and Mark Ferber. An active music pedagogue, Patrick (who received a Bachelor’s Degree from Berklee College of Music, a Masters Degree from The Manhattan School of Music, and an Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School), has appeared as visiting artist or guest lecturer at many international institutions, including The Royal Academy, the Birmingham Conservatoire, Guildhall, Hull University, Trinity College, and Edinburgh University in the United Kingdom, St. Mary’s University and UTSA in Texas, The Centro Culturale and San Jose University in Costa Rica, The University of North Carolina, The Juilliard School, and Snow College in Utah. He is currently an adjunct professor of saxophone at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, and a music faculty member at The United Nations International School in New York City. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, two children, and seven neon tetras.

Awards

Chamber Music America: New Jazz Works 2012 and 2023. ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award (Herb Alpert) 2004, 2005, 2006. 

Gear

Alto: 1958 Selmer, Yanigisawa Rubber mouthpiece
Soprano: 1995 Selmer, Bob Ackerman mouthpiece
Tenor: 1939 Selmer, B&N Rubber mouthpiece (Ted Klum)

Clarinet: Buffet 13, Vandoren mouthpiece

Flute and Alto Flute: VQ Powell

Reeds: Vandoren exclusively

 


Tags

3
Album Review

Willie Morris: Attentive Listening

Read "Attentive Listening" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Attentive Listening, Willie Morris 's second Posi-Tone release in as many years, documents the continuing evolution of a jazz master in the making. Like last year's Conversation Starter, the tenor saxophonist/composer thrives in the stimulating company of alto saxophonist/alto flutist Patrick Cornelius and pianist Jon Davis. Bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston round out a rhythm section that fuels the record's impressive reach. Early on, Morris' “Water Fountain Of Youth" and “The Imitation Game" are up-tempo ...

6
Album Review

Willie Morris: Conversation Starter

Read "Conversation Starter" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


The story is old, predictable and often exasperating. A virtually unknown jazz musician distinguishes himself or herself as part of the supporting cast on a handful of recordings. And then begins the wait to see if any label will offer the young, deserving player a shot in the driver's seat. Early this year, two releases on Posi-Tone Records stimulated an appetite for more music by Willie Morris. The tenor saxophonist acquitted himself well as an ensemble player, ...

5
Radio & Podcasts

New Releases From Patrick Cornelius, Gordon Lee, Axel Filip And More

Read "New Releases From Patrick Cornelius, Gordon Lee, Axel Filip And More" reviewed by Bob Osborne


On this show we feature new releases from Patrick Cornelius, Gordon Lee, Axel Filip & Maleza, Marike van Dijk, Guillermo Klein Quintetto, Giuseppe Millaci & Vogue Trio, Christian Dillingham, Cheryl Pyle, Beyond Flute Group, Andrew Rathbun, Trapeze, Andrew Danforth, Wolfgang Muthspiel with Scott Colley & Brian Blade, and Ivan Lins. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Patrick Cornelius “Puzzle Box" from Book Of Secrets (Posi-tone) 00:54 Gordon Lee “Yearning for the Light" from The Remainder (PJCE Records) 07:53 Axel Filip ...

4
Album Review

Altin Sencalar: In Good Standing

Read "In Good Standing" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


In many ways, In Good Standing is a jazz aficionado's dream. Trombonist, composer, and arranger Altin Sencalar's inaugural disc as a leader for Posi-Tone encourages granular, analytical consideration. It is worthwhile to pause and think about the details of inspired performances, ponder the efficacy of Sencalar's original compositions and interpretations of gems penned by jazz giants, and contemplate the numerous examples of his band's esprit de corps. Conversely, it would be a shame to only concentrate on these things and ...

2
Album Review

Out To Dinner: Episodes Of Grace

Read "Episodes Of Grace" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


When Blue Note Records released Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch! in 1964, they probably did not imagine the album would one day become a jazz classic. However, it remains one of the most influential jazz albums and, in 2022, it was reissued in the Blue Note Classic Vinyl series. In 2019, Posi-Tone Records tapped into the spirit of Dolphy's album with Out To Dinner's Different Flavors. This album proved successful enough for a second release, Play On, in 2021. The ...

5
Album Review

Farnell Newton: Feel The Love

Read "Feel The Love" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Posi-Tone Records produces coherent projects and maintains high standards in part by keeping things in-house; that is, frequently drawing on a substantial roster of affiliated artists to serve on a particular leader's record. A case in point is Feel The Love, Farnell Newton's third release for the label. While Newton's measured, concise, full-toned trumpet stylings and five, melodically rich compositions are a large part of the record's appeal, there are other factors that stand out. By turns ...

4
Album Review

Farnell Newton: Feel The Love

Read "Feel The Love" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


When cellist Pablo Casals was 93 years old, someone asked him why he still spent hours a day practising. Casals humorously replied that it was because he was beginning to notice some improvement. Like Casals, many other musicians spend hours practising and, in most cases, this dedication comes purely from a true love of music. Trumpet player Farnell Newton is no exception and, with Feel The Love, his passion for music is evident throughout. During the first two ...

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139

Performance / Tour

Patrick Cornelius to Perform at Rubin Museum in NYC on March 4th, 2011

Patrick Cornelius to Perform at Rubin Museum in NYC on March 4th, 2011

Source: Two for the Show Media

Saxophonist/Composer Patrick Cornelius will be performing in concert at The Rubin Museum in NYC on Friday, March 4th, 2011 at 7:00PM as part of the 2011 Winter/Spring Harlem in the Himalayas Jazz Series. This performance is in celebration of his new Whirlwind Records release titled “Fierce." Patrick Cornelius—alto saxophone Taylor Eigsti—piano Mark Small—tenor saxophone Reuben Rogers—bass Johnathan Blake—drums About Patrick Cornelius Over the past several years, alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius has emerged ...

66

Performance / Tour

The Patrick Cornelius Trio - Friday January 7th, 2011 - Bar Next Door NYC

The Patrick Cornelius Trio - Friday January 7th, 2011 - Bar Next Door NYC

Source: Two for the Show Media

Saxophonist/Composer Patrick Cornelius will be performing with his Trio at The Bar Next Door in New York City on January 7th, 2011. Joining Patrick on this evening will be the incredible Hans Glawischnigon bass and Johnathan Blake on drums., The performance will be in celebration of his new release on Whirldwind Records titled “Fierce." “Jazz's tradition and future are aptly represented in Patrick's individuality, direction, and talent.By following Patrick's career, you will always enjoy the saxophone at its highest level." ...

131

Radio

The Jazz Session #221: Patrick Cornelius

The Jazz Session #221: Patrick Cornelius

Source: AAJ Staff


“Patrick Cornelius has devoted the bulk of his second recording to original works. The seven examples given here show a dusky elegance that owes much to Wayne Shorter while retaining a unique identity.” — Forrest Dylan Bryant, JazzTimes “...Enjoyable, clever music, which does interesting things with what it inherits from the jazz tradition... Well-schooled music, but music played with feeling, commitment and imagination,” — Glyn Pursglove, MusicWeb international “...In an impressive debut by one of the new young lions of jazz, Patrick Cornelius crafts a captivating and engaging recording..

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone, alto

Location

New York City

Credentials/Background

  • BM in Performance, Berklee College of Music, full scholarship, graduated 2000, Magna Cum Laude
  • MM in Jazz Studies, Manhattan School of Music, full scholarship, graduated 2006, Summa Cum Laude
  • Artist Diploma in Jazz Studies, The Juilliard School, full scholarship, graduated 2011
  • Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance (1999)
  • Studied with George Garzone, Hal Crook, Dick Oatts, Shannon LeClaire, Garry Dial, Justin DiCioccio, Ron Blake, Kenny Barron, Carl Allen, Rodney Jones, Greg Hopkins, Billy Pierce

Read more

Wayne Shorter
saxophone
John Coltrane
saxophone
Paul Desmond
saxophone, alto
Kenny Garrett
saxophone, alto
Johnny Hodges
saxophone, alto
Thad Jones
trumpet
Dick Oatts
saxophone, alto
Charlie Parker
saxophone, alto
Chris Potter
saxophone
Miguel Zenon
saxophone, alto
Kansas City Area Youth Jazz
band / ensemble / orchestra

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Attentive Listening

Posi-Tone Records
2024

buy

Bianca

Outside in Music
2024

buy

Between The Bars

Posi-Tone Records
2023

buy

In Good Standing

Posi-Tone Records
2023

buy

Conversation Starter

Posi-Tone Records
2023

buy

Episodes Of Grace

Posi-Tone Records
2022

buy

Christmas Gift

From: Maybe Steps
By Patrick Cornelius

Videos

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