Paul Cardall
Encyclopedia
Paul Cardall is an American pianist.
Paul Layton Cardall was born with a severe heart defect, and was only given a few months to live. However, he survived through numerous surgeries. He began piano
lessons at the age of eight but quit after six months because he was frustrated with the practice routine. During high school Cardall lost a close friend and in search of solace he sat at the family piano and discovered his ability to play by ear and transcribe the feelings of his heart through music. Cardall would play the piano two to three hours a day. Cardall studied a couple of months with pianist Craig Kaelin and credits him with teaching Cardall how to chart music (which would later serve a valuable purpose in his studio recording sessions.)
While continuing to develop his composing skills, Cardall took jobs playing the piano at Nordstroms 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 (www.allmusic.com) 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 pianist 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.
Cardall also appears on two compilation albums, 20 Years of Narada Piano
and Piano Portraits (Excel Entertainment Group.)
Cardall is a mormon
, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attended Salt Lake Community College
in Utah
.
Cardall lived 36 years with Congenital Heart Disease. 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.
Cardall and his wife Lynette have one child, a daughter named Eden.
History
Cardall says his earliest memories of music were songs learned in Primary.Paul Layton Cardall was born with a severe heart defect, and was only given a few months to live. However, he survived through numerous surgeries. He began piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons at the age of eight but quit after six months because he was frustrated with the practice routine. During high school Cardall lost a close friend and in search of solace he sat at the family piano and discovered his ability to play by ear and transcribe the feelings of his heart through music. Cardall would play the piano two to three hours a day. Cardall studied a couple of months with pianist Craig Kaelin and credits him with teaching Cardall how to chart music (which would later serve a valuable purpose in his studio recording sessions.)
While continuing to develop his composing skills, Cardall took jobs playing the piano at Nordstroms and The Roof Restaurant (atop the Joseph Smith Memorial Building
Joseph Smith Memorial Building
The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is named in honor of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. It is located on the corner of Main Street and South Temple in Salt Lake City. Previously the Hotel Utah, it is now an administrative 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
Richard Paul Evans
Richard Paul Evans is an American author.-Biography:Evans graduated from Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City. He graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Utah in 1984. While working as an advertising executive he wrote a Christmas story for his children...
, writer of The Christmas Box. Evans invited Cardall to create a musical adaptation of the book.
Since then Cardall has partnered with Narada
Narada Productions
Narada is a record label formed 1983 as an independent New Age music label and distributed by MCA Records. Now a fully owned subsidiary of EMI, Narada evolved through an expansion of formats to include music from other styles including world music, jazz, Celtic music, new flamenco, acoustic guitar...
, 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 (www.allmusic.com) During his association with The Christmas Box, families of victims in the Oklahoma City bombing
Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19...
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 pianist 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
Steven Sharp Nelson
Steven Sharp Nelson is a pioneer in “cello-percussion”—an alternative performance method that combines traditional, lyrical cello techniques with unconventional pizzicato and percussive technique. He was born and still resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. He began studying cello at age 8, percussion...
whose debut album, Sacred Cello, debuted at #18 on Billboard's Classical Chart in September 2006.
Cardall also appears on two compilation albums, 20 Years of Narada Piano
20 Years of Narada Piano
20 Years of Narada Piano is a 2001 compilation release by Narada. It peaked at #12 on Billboard's Top New Age album charts in the same year.-Track listing:*1.1 "Endings" – Michael Jones – 5:33*1.2 "Sunrise" – Kostia – 5:02...
and Piano Portraits (Excel Entertainment Group.)
Cardall is a mormon
Mormons
The Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, a religion started by Joseph Smith during the American Second Great Awakening. A vast majority of Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while a minority are members of other independent churches....
, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attended Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake Community College is the largest higher education institution with the most diverse student body in Utah . The College offers and operates throughout the Salt Lake valley. Even with its large student body, the College maintains a student to faculty ratio of just 20 to 1...
in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
.
Cardall lived 36 years with Congenital Heart Disease. 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.
Cardall and his wife Lynette have one child, a daughter named Eden.