Classic seven string jazz guitarist, Howard Paul grew up in Atlantic City, N.J, and has been playing guitar since the age of four. He was drawn to jazz at 10 years old, eventually working both small and big bands, and performing in clubs, hotels, showrooms and eventually casinos.

At 17, he joined the Judy Cahill Trio, backing or played opposite artists including Chris Conner, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Ayres, Freddie Cole and Carmen McCrae.

He taught music privately and as an adjunct faculty member at Atlantic Community College in Mays Landing, N.J., from 1978-81.

Since moving to Savannah in 1991 he has led his own trio and quartet, worked continuously with bassist/jazz legend Ben Tucker, recorded as a studio musician for Manion Music and performed with the Savannah Symphony Pops Orchestra and the Coastal Jazz All Stars.

He is a recurring performer at The Smithsonian Institution’s Jazz Cafe Savannah Jazz Festival and Savannah Music Festival and St. Simons Island Jazz in the Park.

Paul is the house guitarist and a band leader at The Jazz Corner in Hilton Head, where his band has performed nearly every Monday night since 2003, as well as a dozen weekends a year.

His recent recordings with the Sweet Jazz label “Live at The Jazz Corner” series feature artist Ali Ryerson, Ben Tucker, Bobby Ryder, Bill Atwell and Christian Tamburr. Paul has been a contributing writer to Just Jazz Guitar Magazine and has co-produced the Benedetto Players in Concert series since 1998.

He has performed throughout the U.S. in guitar duos/clinics with guitarist including Bucky Pizzarelli, Jimmy Bruno, Howard Alden, Jack Wilkins, Joe Beck, Andreas Oberg, and Frank Vignola.

Small group performances include club dates with flutist Ali Ryerson, singer Diane Hubka, vibraphonist/drummer Chuck Redd, bassist Phil Flannigan and piano legend/Grammy winner Bob James.

In addition to his music career, Paul serves as President/CEO of Benedetto Guitars Inc. based in Savannah.
For more information:  www.coastal-jazz.org or call (912) 675-5419.

The concert will be held on Jan. 25  at 5 p.m. at Four Points by Sheraton Historic Savannah, 520 West Bryan Street (at the intersection of Bryan and MLK streets).  The concert is free for Coastal Jazz Association members and $10 for non-members. Attendees who join CJA while at the concert will also be admitted for free.