Ending my career as a hockey player at the age of 21, I was ready to study music. Not being able to pass Saint Xaviers rigid entrance exam, I took a hockey scholarship. Playing one semester, I quit and became a full time music student. I will start my bio here. 1978, 22yrs old
Patrick Noland recieved classical piano instruction at Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL, under the direction of Sister Mary Vernardine Obertin. He then studied the art of composition and improvisation at Naropa Institute, Boulder, Colorado, under the tutelage of Ralph Towner and members of the group Oregon. His techniques were further developed with contributions from Art Lande and Charlie Hayden, also at Naropa.Nolands synergy of classical structure and improvisation jazz was perfected during this period of development.
In 1996, recording engineer Ken Christianson shared a solo piano recording of Noland with Julian Vereker, founder of Naim audio. Later that year, Gathering Light was recorded by Christianson and mastered by Vereker. Noland has been an artist on the Naim Label ever since, completing four distinct discs, Gathering Light, Ascending, Peace, and Passage to Thought. These compositions have acquired a devoted following amoungst lovers of the unique blend of ethereal jazz that has come to be recognized as Noland's trademark. His fourth disc, Passage to Thought, highlights Noland's new direction with his first group recording.