Paul Colombo Musician - All About Jazz

Updated: November 7, 2025

Born: December 9, 1956

Paul Colombo is a musician based outside of Philadelphia, PA, USA. Paul is a versatile guitarist, composer and vocalist who has performed and recorded with Grammy winners such as Neil Sedaka, Peter Nero, and The Delfonics and American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. He has been touted for his "virtuoso guitar playing" and "well- traveled artistry". (Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, May 2011).

Paul has also performed with The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, among others, the Philly Pops, played numerous national tours of Broadway shows at Hershey Theatre where he has been the first call guitarist there for twenty years, and was nominated for an excellence in teaching award at a local college.

He has a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies Degree from The University of The Arts, Philadelphia,

Paul Colombo: Rio Crystal

Read "Rio Crystal" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki

by Chris M. Slawecki
September 4, 2021

Rio Crystal is the perfect title for this bright and clear, warm and sunny set led by guitarist Paul Colombo. Its frontline pairs Colombo's nimble guitar with keyboardist Ron Thomas, supported by bassist Andy Alonso and drummer Chris Loser, in a series of jazzy instrumental workouts. It's uncomplicated swing, and the emotional directness and honesty with which the principals play, turn Rio Crystal from jazz fusion into genuine (instrumental) soul music. The title track was the first tune ...

Album Review

Paul Colombo Group: Rio Crystal

Read "Rio Crystal" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
February 4, 2021

Paul Colombo's debut, Rio Crystal, comes about because his fellow guitarist, Pat Martino, released an album called Pat Martino/Live! (Muse Records, 1972). When Colombo heard Martino's sound, the then fifteen year old aspiring musician's path to jazz artistry came into focus. The keyboardist on Martino's 1972 LP was Ron Thomas, who played Fender Rhodes on Pat Martino/Live! He went on to become an adventurous and artistically successful--if somewhat underrecognized--jazz (and beyond) player in his own right, with the ...