A native of Washington, DC, Paul began playing the trumpet at age 9. As a youth, he performed with the Blues Alley Youth Jazz Orchestra, DC Youth Orchestra and DeMatha Catholic High School and other Jazz Ensembles. Paul received numerous music awards including selection to the 2012 Maryland All State Jazz Band. He has also performed in the 2012 Jazz Studio at the White House with Wynton Marsalis, hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama, and was a featured young artist for the 2013 DC Jazz Festival Family Day.