Paul Shapiro, a composer, saxophone player, and bandleader, has been a part of the New York City music scene ever since the 1980s. Shapiro was born and raised in Long Island, Westbury, NY. He graduated from Westbury High School and then moved to Montreal, Canada where he studied at McGill University. After his first album, Take the Z Train, Shapiro returned to New York City and led the progressive funk group Foreign Legion. He was then replaced by John Hagen with the Microscopic Septet. Shapiro began working with hip-hop producers in the ’90s. He played flute on Frankie Knuckles U.K.’s hit “The Whistle Song” as well as soprano on Nuyorican soul’s “The Nervous Track.” Shapiro also appeared on recordings by Queen Latifah and Naughty By Nature, Marc Anthony and India. He founded Brooklyn Funk Essentials in 1994, recording for Shanachie Records and RCA Victor. He composed the music for Cheryl Dunye’s 1998 film The Watermelon Woman, William “Electric” Black’s musical The Sun Gets Blue and Presque Isle by Joyce Carol Oates. MTV has also featured commercials written by him. Shapiro was a leading figure in his own right by 2003. He was supported by John Zorn’s Tzadik label in Radical Jewish Culture’s series, which included Midnight Minyan and It’s in the Twilight. Shapiro was an accompanist for Julius Hemphill and David Murray. He also worked with Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin. Lou Reed, Aretha, Lou Reed, Ben Folds Five. Allmusic
