Paul started playing guitar at the age of eleven with an acoustic guitar he bought from his cousin with his entire life-savings of $15.00. Luckily he began taking guitar lessons in Louisville Kentucky from Mike Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell exposed him to jazz and the guitar playing of Howard Roberts, Wes Montgomery, and Joe Pass – Paul was hooked! After High School in Louisville, he went to College at Morehead State University in Eastern Kentucky studying guitar with Martin Crum and Ray Ross. While there he was fortunate to play with clinicians such as Jimmy Heath, Clarke Terry, Pepper Adams and guitarists Gene Bertoncini, Cal Collins and Jack Peterson. Mr. Peterson made such an impression that after graduation from Morehead Paul went to the famous school of Music at North Texas State University (Now the University of North Texas) to study with him while working on his Masters Degree.
Paul has traveled extensively across the country as a touring musician playing everything from Rock-n-Roll and Disco, to Country and Pop. While he enjoys all genres of music his first love is Jazz and the artistic and improvisatory freedom it brings. Plus –he likes playing the songs that people know and love.
The songs Paul plays are recreated… re-imagined to have a unique but classic sound that is warm and comforting. His ability to arrange a song in many ways comes from years of playing, studying, and respecting the song and the writer.
Paul is available for concerts, recording sessions, club and private party engagements, workshops and clinics. Paul can be booked as a solo artist or with one of his own groups (a duo or trio dependent upon the need). If you’re not sure of exactly what you’re looking for, just give Paul a call and he’ll be happy to work with you to make your event an elegant success.