Viewing music through a wide-angle lens, Paul Hemmings fuses together elements of modern jazz, free improvisation, and American roots music into a signature sound that Downbeat magazine says “fits no stereotype and stands beautifully on its own.”

A multi-instramentalist with a focus on guitar and ukulele, Paul has performed at venerable NYC venues (Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center), renowned jazz clubs (Birdland, Smalls, The Knitting Factory), and at festivals around the world. His six albums on Leading Tone Records showcase Paul’s original compositions alongside a diverse repertoire that spans the likes of Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk to Johnny Cash and the Beatles. Paul has recorded and performed with a notable list of creative musicians that includes John Tchicai, Greg Tardy, Rudy Royston, Eric Alexander, Lou Grassi, George Reed, Duane Eubanks, Curtis Fowlkes, Gaku Takanashi, and Onaje Allan Gumbs.

An experienced music educator, Paul spent twenty years teaching guitar, ukulele, bass, and jazz and rock ensembles at the Third Street Music School Settlement in Manhattan’s East Village.  He has arranged three books of music for solo ukulele (Duke On Uke, Bird On Uke, and Monk On Uke) and his lessons have appeared in the pages of Ukulele magazine. Paul has also taught at Marymount Manhattan College, the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, and the National Guitar Workshop.

Paul holds a BFA from the Jazz & Contemporary Music Program at the New School University and a BA in Politics from the University of California. He lives in New York City with his wife and two sons.