Paolo Griffin is a composer and curator based in Toronto/Tkarón:to whose work combines explorations of tuning systems with a rigorous, process-based approach to sonic form, structure, and forms of action/interaction between processes. With music described as placing “… the listener in a kind of sonic microgravity” (PANM360), and “…that stopped me dead in my tracks and made me forget what I was doing.” (Night After Night), Paolo’s practice spans sound, performance, text, improvisation and includes the creation of notated music and text/event scores.
In 2018, Paolo founded Freesound, a Toronto-based contemporary music collective of eight performers that emphasizes collaboration and experimentation. Concert highlights include performances of Patterns in a Chromatic Field by Morton Feldman, concerts featuring two shō and accordion; a variety of text and graphic score works, and a feature in WholeNote Magazine.
2024 highlights include a new piece for Quatuor Bozzini, Toronto-based percussionist Nathan Petitpas, a new work for harp and electronics for Florida-based harpist Nöel Wan, the release of his first portrait CD Supports & Surfaces on Sawyer Editions, and participation in the Toronto Arts Council Leaders Lab 2024-25 Cohort.
Paolo is an advocate of accessible arts and disability inclusive practices and works as the Managing Director of Xenia Concerts, each year designing and delivering adaptive, accessible, and sensory-friendly concerts for the autism and disability communities.
Paolo has given talks on his work in public and private settings, including lectures on his compositional practice at universities in The Netherlands, Finland, and Canada, and talks on his work in disability arts to charities, universities, and community organizations.
Paolo is currently the Board Chair of Musicworks Magazine and sits on the Toronto Arts Council Music Policy Committee. His work is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Toronto Arts Council, The Canadian Music Centre, the Ontario Arts Council, the SOCAN Foundation, and the Canadian New Music Network.