Paul Morris (musician)

Paul Morris
Born	November 2, 1959 (1959-11-02) Santa Monica, California, USA,
Genres	Rock, hard rock, heavy metal, soul, jazz
Occupations	Musician, session musician, songwriter
Instruments	Keyboards
Years active	1977–present
Associated acts	Doro Pesch, Mark Wood, Rainbow, Nena, The Teen Idols, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Joe Lynn Turner, Over the Rainbow, Chris Caffery
Website	http://www.paulmorris.tv

Paul Morris (born 2 November 1959, Santa Monica, California) is a musician best known as a keyboardist in Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. He played keyboards on the Stranger in Us All album and co-wrote the song "Black Masquerade".

Paul Morris studied piano as a child in New York City. He studied under prominent jazz pianists, Lennie Tristano, Hal Galper, and Sal Mosca. He began his career playing with some local bands, like Vixen and Full House, which led him to touring with Todd Wolfe, later guitarist for Sheryl Crow, in his band Troy and the Tornados. In 1990, Morris then went played keyboards on the album Doro, by former Warlock singer Doro Pesch. The album was produced by Gene Simmons. In 1991, he went on tour with Doro, promoting the Rare Diamonds album. In 1992, Morris toured with famed heavy metal violinist Mark Wood, through the US and Canada.

In 1994, Morris was notified that Ritchie Blackmore was looking for a keyboardist. He sent Ritchie a tape, auditioned, and was hired. He played on the Stranger in Us All album, and co-wrote "Black Masquerade", which became a fan favorite song.^{[citation needed]} He then performed with Rainbow for two European tours, one tour in Japan and one in the US. In 1997, Morris toured with Nena of "99 Luftballons" fame featuring, Tony Bruno on guitar, and Tommy Price on drums. This was followed by a tour with The Teen Idols starring Davy Jones, Peter Noone and Bobby Sherman. In 2000, Morris received a call from the musical director of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Al Pitrelli to play with the West Coast Trans Siberian Orchestra for the holiday season. After this tour, Morris continued his career composing and producing his own original music and doing session work. In 2002, Morris joined an 11 piece soul band called the Sensational Soul Cruisers where he remained until 2007. In 2009, Morris was approached by Joe Lynn Turner asking him to fill in for Tony Carey who had become very ill. Two weeks later Over the Rainbow performed at the Sweden Rock Festival. Paul Morris continued touring with Over the Rainbow for the next two years.

Paul Morris is now writing with Jürgen Blackmore for his new debut CD, Jürgen Blackmore and Friends. Paul and Joe Lynn Turner remain close, and from time to time play shows together.

In 2011, Paul worked on a new Christmas CD by the Kings of Christmas, a new group composed primarily of former Trans-Siberian Orchestra singers and musicians.

Discography

With The Syntherchestra

• 1985 - The Syntherchestra

With Doro Pesch

• 1990 - Doro

With Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow

• 1995 - Stranger in Us All

With Joe Lynn Turner

• 1998 - Hurry Up and Wait
• 1999 - Under Cover 2
• 2002 - Slam
• 2003 - JLT
• 2005 - The Usual Suspects

With Randy Coven

• 1999 - Witch Way

With Metalium

• 2000 - State of Triumph: Chapter Two

With {Trans Siberian Orchestra}

• 2000/2001

With Angus Clark

• 2004 - Grace Period

With Chris Caffery

• 2004 - The Mold EP
• 2004 - Music Man EP
• 2005 - Faces
• 2005 - W.A.R.P.E.D.
• 2007 - Pins and Needles

===With

===

• 2008/20010 -

With "Template:The Kings of Christmas"

20011- The Kings of Christmas