Paul Morris

Who is Paul Morris?

Paul Morris 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. 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.