Over the course of 25 years in New York City, alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius has cultivated a substantial body of work as a composer and bandleader, and has performed his original music in some of the world’s top jazz venues. Hailed as “self-assured” and “resourceful” by The New York Times, “Elegant” and “Extraordinary” by DownBeat Magazine, and “Bold and Gifted,” by All About Jazz, Cornelius has released ten albums as a leader or co-leader featuring established veterans (like Jeff Ballard, Ben Allison, and Frank Kimbrough) and rising stars (including Gerald Clayton, Aaron Parks, Kendrick Scott, and Miles Okazaki). Patrick is an active presence in the New York City music world. He performs regularly with a wide stylistic spectrum of musical ensembles, and has appeared as a sideman on 43 albums, including bandleader Dan Pugach’s 2025 Grammy-winning “Bianca Reimagined.”

Cornelius has earned an array of composer awards and grants, including four consecutive ASCAP “Young Composer Awards,” (now Herb Alpert Award) and two Chamber Music America “New Jazz Works” commissions (in 2012 and 2023). He has been commissioned to compose and arrange original music for large ensembles across the globe.

Patrick’s 10th and latest album, “Book Of Secrets” (Posi-Tone, 2023) features fellow Posi-Tone recording artists Art Hirahara (piano) and Behn Gillece (vibraphone), as well as veterans Peter Slavov (bass) and Vinnie Sperrazza (drums). “Book of Secrets” is a programmatic concept album that tells a narrative story of adventure and self-discovery.

An active music pedagogue, Patrick (who received a Bachelor’s Degree from Berklee College of Music, a Masters Degree from The Manhattan School of Music, and an Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School) has appeared as visiting artist or guest lecturer at international institutions such as Berklee College of Music, Juilliard, The Royal Academy of Music, the Birmingham Conservatoire, St. Mary’s University in Texas, The University of North Carolina, Hunter College in NYC, and Snow College in Utah. He currently serves on the music faculty of The United Nations International School in New York City and lives in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.