19 Facts About Paul Grabowsky

Paul Grabowsky grew up in Glen Waverley, Melbourne, Australia, and began piano lessons when he was five years old.

Paul Grabowsky studied the classical repertoire with Mack Jost, senior lecturer in piano at the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne from the age of seven until his university years.

Paul Grabowsky attended Wesley College and it was that school's jazz band which introduced him to the genre.

Paul Grabowsky flew in 1980 to London where he travelled via Spain to Germany; he lived there in Munich until 1985.

Paul Grabowsky had been back in Australia for Christmas 1982 when, on the invitation of Red Symons, he co-composed his first film score, the first of many.

Paul Grabowsky produced Vince Jones' ARIA Award-winning album It All Ends Up In Tears.

In 1987, Paul Grabowsky formed the Wizards of Oz with Saxophonist Dale Barlow, bassist Lloyd Swanton and drummer Tony Buck.

Paul Grabowsky continued to compose scores for feature films many of which won awards.

That year, Paul Grabowsky wrote a piano concerto for Michael Kieran Harvey.

Paul Grabowsky is married to Margot Salomon and in 1991 their first child was born; Isabella Grabowsky.

In that year, Paul Grabowsky was involved in the writing music for the opening ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics and the Paralympics.

From 2003 to 2007, Paul Grabowsky was commissioner at the Australian Film Commission.

In 2004, Paul Grabowsky visited the remote community in the Northern Territory called Ngukurr, in order to meet the traditional songmen.

Paul Grabowsky met with the local elders and, after hearing two Wagilak songmen sing, asked permission to bring his orchestra on a return visit.

In 2005, Paul Grabowsky was appointed Artistic Director for the Queensland Music Festival 2007.

Paul Grabowsky recorded an album of original jazz compositions, Tales of Time and Space, with Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Scott Tinkler, Ed Schuller and Jeff "Tain" Watts.

Paul Grabowsky was then asked to stay on and direct the 2012 Adelaide Festival.

In June 2012, Paul Grabowsky was appointed Vice-Chancellor's Professorial Fellow in the School of Music at Monash University and in July 2012, he was appointed Executive Director, Performing Arts, Academy of Performing Arts, Monash University.

In 2014 Paul Grabowsky was awarded the Order of Australia for services to music as an educator, a mentor composer and pianist.