Joel Paul

Joel Paul is an Indian-born and raised, London-based jazz pianist whose playing combines intricate rhythms with expressive lyricism, shaped by a rich musical journey across continents. He completed his Master’s in Music at Kingston University in 2023, graduating with distinction under the mentorship of Meredith White. Prior to that, he studied privately for six years with Berklee alumnus Smarajeet Bhattacharya, developing a solid foundation in jazz performance and theory. He also studies with Rick Simpson.

Joel’s sound draws deeply from the jazz piano tradition, influenced by legends such as Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Bud Powell, Keith Jarrett,  Tigran Hamasyan and Brad Mehldau. Equally central to his voice is the influence of Indian classical music, both its rhythmic complexity and improvisational depth, shaped by masters like Ravi Shankar, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Vijay Iyer, and the fusion pioneers Shakti.

A distinctive and dynamic presence on the UK jazz scene, Joel performs regularly across London with ensembles including the EL Trio, Jazz puzzle quartet, Joe Mackley Quartet, Luke Glazsher Band, and several Soho, London house bands. He has appeared in Regent’s Park music festival, Bahrain international music festival and frequently appears at various venues in London such as Alfie’s Jazz Club and Spice of Life, Soho continuing to contribute actively to the city’s vibrant live music community. He has also appeared internationally in Portugal, Austria and Malta.

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