Musical bio of composer Paul Zaleski former producer of Al Green.

Composer, producer, Chicago born Paul Zaleski, began his career in the late 60's as a songwriter and recording engineer in Memphis, Tennessee.

Paul Zaleski, along with Errol Thomas from Memphis, Tn. were the head producers of several CD's for 14 time Grammy winner Soul Legend Singer Al Green.

In the 1960's Memphis, Tennessee was different, it had its' own musical legacy. It had everything, pop, rock& roll, R& B and Paul Zaleski thought Memphis was his best chance at a music career.

He failed miserably many times. However, spurred on by a vote of confidence by co-founder of STAX records Estelle Axton, and Skip & John Phillips, he didn't give up.

In 1976, Paul Zaleski and Doug Schimenti built their studio named Stairway Recording Studio and formed Stairway Records.

It was then that he met several of the musicians that worked with the Memphis Sound at Stax, and Isaac Hayes, including Errol Thomas, Michael Toles, Lee Hatim, Willie Hall, Jesse Butler, and the Memphis Horns.

Together they worked on projects that included The Masqueraders, Ollie Nightingale ,Debra Carter, along with blues legends Big Sam Clark and Memphis Slim.

From 1976 until 1983, Paul Zaleski and Errol Thomas produced or worked on over 35 albums for Johnny Nash, Black Oak Arkansas, Sam the Sham, Louis Williams & the Ovations, Ron Dickerson, Mark O'Leary, Lee Hatim & the Masqueraders, Chuck Bell, Lee Moore, Memphis Slim, Big Sam Clark, Debra Carter, Mark O'Leary, Ollie Nightingale, The Blackwood Singers, and many more.

In 1981, Paul Zaleski met Al Green and Paul Zaleski then engineered Al Green with the "White Christmas" album along with the " Full Gospel Tabernacle Choir" album.

Paul Zaleski then produced Al Green with the" Trust in God" album which won a Grammy nomination in 1984.

In 1986, Paul Zaleski and Errol Thomas began to work on a new musical concept for Al Green which would bridge the gap between Al Green and his gospel music,
and revive his R&B career, which lay dormant for many years.

The result was "Soul Survivor" released in 1988 by A&M records and Al Green regained his R&B radio airplay with the hit "Everything's Going To Be Alright" and " You Know and I Know" written by Paul Zaleski and Al Green.

This CD included Al Green teaming with Billy Preston singing "You've Got A Friend", and Al Green singing "He Ain't Heavy".

"Soul Survivor' earned a Grammy in 1988, and more important, started the revival of Al Green and his R&B career.

Expanding on the new concept, "I've Got Joy" was released by A&M records in 1989.with the hits "As Long As We're Together" and "Mighty Clouds of Joy", continuing the Al Green revival of his R&B career.

Another Grammy was won in 1989.

After producing Wayne Perkins with guitarist Joe Walsh, songwriter Arthur Kohtz and Errol Thomas. Paul Zaleski then began working on his easy listening piano instrumentals, mood music, and contemporary piano instrumentals, and decided to move back to his hometown of Chicago.

Paul Zaleski released " Broken Dreams" in 1996.

In 1999 and 2000, Paul Zaleski worked with Al Green again on Al's extensive worldwide tour and Paul used this opportunity to expose his music to audiences worldwide.

From 2000-2007 Paul Zaleski has written 9 CDS providing contemporary piano instrumental music, easy listening piano instrumentals, some contemporary piano, new age piano, and mood music with his own distinctive sound and haunting beautiful melodies, in addition to pursuing his career as a composer of soundtrack themes.

home page. Available CD's. in time. over the rainbow. Broken Dreams. di macci. sounds of memphis. Mind Matters. Christian Music. piece of my heart. contact us ordering info Al Green Downloads soundtrack services audio services biography of paul zaleski Al Green Paul Zaleski Pirvacy Statement Story of Sounds of Memphis links page inspiration page piano solo music cast extended music cast music cast intro page home page This musical biography of Paul Zaleski is a very sentimental journey for Paul. Nothing made Paul happier than to record ,mix, write songs and work with Al Green the artist. He is unbelievable as an artist. When we listen to the Willie Mitchell stuff...all of Al's stuff sounds the same.. when you listen to what Paul Zaleski and Errol Thomas did...boy what a difference. Al Green stretches out and shows off more of his true talent...his feelings are there. Paul for the most part, after a session was done would play piano melodies in the studio. Eventually, other prople heard them and started to put words to them. Paul aided by Errol Thomas and Lee Hatim developed his own style of composing piano instrumental music, contemporary instrumentals and mood music.