BIOGRAPHY

A prolific composer, Paul Knopf draws from diverse movements in classical music and jazz. After serving in World War II, he undertook classical studies in composition with Bohuslav Martinu and Josef Schmid, a pupil of Alban Berg, and earned a bachelor’s degree for studies at The Juilliard School and New York University.

Beginning from his roots in the bebop era and the jazz revival surrounding the beatnik scene in the ’50s, he expanded his interests into Latin American, ragtime, New Orleans, swing, and blues styles. In addition to his performance experience in jazz clubs and concert situations, he has accompanied dance ensembles, led a music ministry at Greenhaven State Prison, and given workshops for church musicians.

An innovator in Christian jazz worship since the early ’60s, whose original compositions and piano improvisations are featured regularly at New York area churches (including Saint Peter's Church and The Church of the Village), Paul continues to connect his creative vision with his commitment to social justice.

Recent recording projects "Cabaret With Cabernet" and "Collage", feature his chamber music and jazz compositions, respectively.

Recordings

Collage

A melange of solo, trio and small-ensemble recordings, including original works and masterpieces by Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton and others.

  1. Strontium 90 (Paul Knopf)
  2. Hyfrydol (Rowland H. Prichard)
  3. Theese Foolish Things (Jack Strachey & Harry Link/Holt Marvell)
  4. Charleston (Paul Knopf)
  5. Melancholy Baby (Ernie Burnett)
  6. Wolverine Blues (Jelly Roll Morton)
  7. Blues on a Wet Thursday (Paul Knopf)
  8. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Duke Ellington)
  9. Bringing in the Sheaves (Traditional)
  10. Blowin' in the Wind (Bob Dylan)
  11. Collage (Paul Knopf)

Through It All

With this recording, Paul Knopf swings through familiar church hymns, a staple of his music ministry at Washington Square United Methodist Church in Greenwhich Village and the Jazz Vespers at Saint Peter's Lutheran Church in Midtown Manhattan.

  1. Abide With Me
  2. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
  3. Let Us Break Bread Together
  4. Through It All
  5. Old Rugged Cross
  6. Amazing Grace
  7. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
  8. Down By The Riverside
  9. Holy, Holy, Holy
  10. Go Tell It On The Moutnain
  11. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
  12. Alleluia
  13. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
  14. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
  15. Nobody Knows the Trouble I See

Cabaret with Cabernet

Chamber compositions, including String Quartet #1, Sonata for 2 Flutes and Cello, and Tomochichi's Dance.

  1. Cabaret with Cabernet
  2. Sonata for 2 Flutes & Cello
  3. Wesley Overture
  4. Tomochichi’s Dance
  5. Unrighteous Mammon
  6. String Quartet #1
  7. Curriculum Vitae

Ramifications

Jazz improvisations and chamber compositions, including Sonata for Violin and Piano: Journey of the Prodigal , and Fox Trot and Fugue (String Quartet #2).

  1. Prelude #7 from the Ill-tempered Blues-a-chord
  2. Sonata for Violin and piano; Journey of the Prodigal
  3. Fully Dressed Woman Ascending the Stairs
  4. At Any Other Time
  5. Exeunt Shepherds and Maji, Manent a Widow Alone
  6. Slave to the Quick Fix
  7. Leah’s Torch Song
  8. Fox Trot & Fugue (String Quartet #2)
  9. What a Friend

COMPOSITIONS

Musical Theatre Pieces
The Ballad of Badass - a Blues Opera
The Cursing of the Fig Tree (for chorus, soloists and dancers)
John Wesley, God's Apprentice (an opera)
Brother Martin's Wanderjahre (an opera about Martin Luther)

Choral Works
Faith of a Radical (dedicated to A J Muste)v A Setting of the Psalms
Aaron and Emma Mass (in Latin)
Magnificat (in Latin)

Chamber Music Foxtrot and Fugue (for string quartet)
Fully Dressed Woman Ascending the Stairs (for string quartet)
String Quartet #1
Eight Bachelors and a Virgin (suite for violin and piano)

Videos

Contact

To contact Paul, email clarejohnson@comcast.net

For problems or suggestions regarding this website, please email joelbrennan@gmail.com