Paul Cardall
| Paul Cardall | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Paul Layton Cardall |
| Born | April 24, 1973 |
| Genres | New Age, Classical, Christian |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist, Film Composer, Music Producer, Independent Record Label Founder |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Stone Angel Music |
| Website |
www |
Paul Layton Cardall (born April 24, 1973) is an American pianist known for his original compositions and arrangements of various hymns. His music is frequently categorized as New Age, Classical, and Religious.
Early life
Cardall was born April 24, 1973. Suffering from a congenital heart defect, he was given only days to live, but defied medical expectations, enduring a series of surgeries and illnesses throughout his childhood. Finding comfort in music, Cardall began piano lessons at age eight, but quit six months later, frustrated with the practice routines. He did not play again for a decade. While in high school however, tragedy struck when one of his best friends was killed in a car accident. A grieving Cardall spontaneously composed a musical tribute, going on to write a dozen more songs and in 1995 privately pressed an album titled, "Sign of Affection".
[1] Cardall’s early compositions are influenced by Mozart, pianists David Lanz, George Winston, and Yanni. Their influence gave him the building blocks he needed to create his own, much like an author who reflects ideas from other novels and fairytales. Eventually, Cardall stopped listening to other pianist all together because of the distraction. Rather, Cardall receives inspirations in a “variety of music from rock, country, classical, film scores.”[2]
Career
While continuing to develop his composing skills, Cardall took jobs playing the piano at Nordstrom and The Roof Restaurant (atop the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City). His public performances led to Cardall recording his first album entitled Sign of Affection in 1995. A copy of this home-pressed album made its way to author Richard Paul Evans, writer of The Christmas Box. Evans invited Cardall to create a musical adaptation of the book.
Since then Cardall has partnered with Narada, a division of Virgin Records, to re-release The Christmas Box. He also debuted a new album entitled The Looking Glass. In December 1999 both records were listed on Billboard's Top 25 New Age Charts.[3] During his association with The Christmas Box, families of victims in the Oklahoma City bombing requested the music be played during the memorial ceremonies as families placed flowers on the empty chairs representing their lost loved ones.
During the year 2002, Cardall recorded two albums, Daily Devotions and Miracles: A Journey of Hope and Healing. Miracles has spent more time on New Age Voice's Top 100 radio charts than any other song in 2002. The song "Driving North" debuted at #3 on Amazon.com's Smooth Jazz Top 200 MP3 charts. Wind and Wire magazine gave his 2003 release, Faithful, the #2 spot of best contemporary instrumental albums of 2003.
In September 2005 Cardall released a new CD called Primary Worship, inspired by the innocence and spiritual development of childhood. The album debuted at #12 on the Billboard Magazine Top 25 New Age Chart, spending 11 weeks on that chart. Cardall founded independent label Stone Angel Music which produces, markets, and distributes not only his catalogue of recordings but recently signed cellist Steven Sharp Nelson whose debut album, Sacred Cello, debuted at #18 on Billboard's Classical Chart in September 2006.[4]
Cardall also appears on two compilation albums, 20 Years of Narada Piano and Piano Portraits (Excel Entertainment Group.)
In 2011, Cardall’s album “New Life” notably debuted as the number one Billboard New Age album in February 2011.[5] “New Life” held its high rank in the top 5 albums for more than 30 weeks.[6]
In 2015 Cardall’s album “40 Hymns for Forty Days” (2015), also debuted as the number one Billboard New Age album in March 2014.[7] “40 Hymns for Forty Days” held its high rank in the top 10 albums for more than 40 weeks.[8]
Charitable Activities
The Paul Cardall Family Foundation is a non-profit organization for patients and families who are struggling with congenital heart disease. The organizations purpose is to support being pro-active with healthcare and celebrating life by pursuing a further education. The Paul & Kristina Cardall Scholarship was established with the help from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), for students with congenital heart disease.[9]
Paul Cardall has performed at benefit concerts for individuals like himself, who are fighting for their chance to receive a heart transplant. The beginning of summer 2014, Paul Cardall performed locally in Salt Lake City for a young boy who suffered from heart illness, like Cardall.[10]
Personal life
Cardall attended Salt Lake Community College in Utah and received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.[11]
Cardall has been living with congenital heart disease for over thirty years. He was born with only a single functioning ventricle or half-heart. In August 2008, with his heart failure, Cardall was listed for a heart transplant. After waiting 385 days, he received a donated heart via transplant on September 9, 2009.[12][13]
Cardall is an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[14]
Cardall is married to Kristina Cardall and has two daughters Eden and Eliza.[15]
Discography
| Year | Album Title | Billboard Top New Age Albums | Top Heatseekers | Top Independent Albums | Top Christian Albums | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The Christmas Box | 23 | ||||
| 1997 | Hymns: Piano Solos | |||||
| 1999 | Looking Glass | |||||
| 2000 | Hymns II: Piano Solos | |||||
| 2001 | Miracles: A Journey of Hope and Healing | |||||
| 2002 | Daily Devotions | |||||
| 2003 | Faithful | |||||
| 2003 | Live | |||||
| 2004 | Christmas Hymns, Vol.1 | |||||
| 2005 | Primary Worship | 12 | ||||
| 2006 | Piano Portraits(Excel Entertainment) | |||||
| 2007 | Songs of Praise | |||||
| 2008 | Living for Eden | |||||
| 2008 | The Hymns Collection | 4 | ||||
| 2009 | Sacred Piano | 5 | ||||
| 2011 | New Life | 1 | 3 | 28 | ||
| 2013 | Ephraim's Rescue | |||||
| 2014 | Saving Tiny Hearts | 9 | ||||
| 2015 | 40 Hymns for Forty Days | 1 | 17 | 28 | ||
References
- ↑ http://www.apennysworth.com/?id=113
- ↑ http://www.mainlypiano.com/Older_Interviews/Cardall,_Paul_04.html
- ↑ http://www.allmusic.com
- ↑ "Paul Cardall - Music Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
- ↑ billboard.com
- ↑ http://www.paulcardall.com/about-paul
- ↑ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865627227/Cardalls-40-Hymns-for-Forty-Days-debuts-at-No-1-on-Billboard-New-Age-chart.html?pg=all
- ↑ http://www.billboard.com/charts/new-age-albums
- ↑ http://www.paulcardall.com/foundation
- ↑ http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1286&sid=30435347
- ↑ "Salt Lake Community College Staff Association Executive Board Minutes" (PDF). March 10, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ↑ Moore, Carrie (June 3, 2009). "Musician awaiting heart transplant performs at Primary Children's telethon". Deseret News. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ↑ Moore, Carrie (September 11, 2009). "With a new heart beating in his chest, Paul Cardall beats odds yet again". Deseret News. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ↑ http://www.mormon.org/me/19RP/PaulCardall
- ↑ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865647532/Pianist-Paul-Cardall-visits-Adriatic-to-share-music-spread-awareness.html?pg=all
External links
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