Dr. Paul Read

Biography

Paul Read lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is a composer, arranger, pianist, saxophonist, and educator. He directed and composed for his own big band, the Paul Read Orchestra, for 20 years and served as the pianist and arranger for the Trish Colter Sextet. Paul has recorded as a guest soloist with various quartets and has worked with esteemed musicians such as Kieran Overs and Barry Elmes. Between 2018 and 2020, he curated a blog for the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers (ISJAC). After retiring from academic life, he continues to work as a freelance composer and arranger. In 1991, he founded the degree programs in jazz studies at the University of Toronto, which include BMus, MMus, and DMA degrees. He has served as the Music Director of Jazz Studies and as the Director of Graduate Jazz Studies at the university. Prior to this, Paul was a member of the Humber College Music Faculty in Toronto from 1979 to 1991, holding positions as Program Coordinator and Director of Music. Additionally, he was Canada's Representative on the Executive Board of the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) from 2002 to 2008 and was a founding Director of the National Music Camp (NMC) Jazz Program from 1987 to 2006, contributing to the faculty of several other summer jazz camps.

Research Interests