KEN
CORDAY

Biography

At the age of six, Ken Corday taught himself how to play the piano by creating and practicing his own music. It wasn’t long until Ken’s parents received a call from Professor Tanamichi Sogito who, impressed by Ken’s music, offered to take Ken on as a student at the age of 8 at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City. As a teenager, Ken also developed a love for the drums and went on to play drums in many rock groups, culminating in touring with the band Lucky Mud throughout the Southwest, Bay Area, and Hawaii. In 1973, Ken enrolled at UCSC, and studied Jazz improvisation and ethnomusicology. His mentor, Professor Randy Masters, introduced Ken to modern Jazz, especially Brazilian new beat (Bossa Nova) music, and Afro-Cuban rhythms and cadences. Graduating in 1975 with a B.A. in music, Ken continued to Post-Graduate Studies at San Jose State University where his piano playing flourished under the tutelage of Lou Harrison and Higo Hirada. In 1977 Ken earned a master’s degree in music, and later that same year, Ken launched his composing career in television, specifically for Days of our Lives where he continues to compose the show's music. He’s earned six Emmy Awards for music composition.