Paul Nagel is a jazz pianist, composer, and arranger with a career spanning over five decades. Born and raised in California, he began his studies at Cabrillo College and quickly moved into the professional scene, performing with blues great Jimmy Witherspoon and guitarist Robben Ford.

In the 1970s and ‘80s, Paul became a central figure in the Bay Area jazz community, performing at legendary venues like the Great American Music Hall and the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. He collaborated with a wide range of artists including Bobby McFerrin, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, and Sonny Stitt. His long-running connection with McFerrin led to the acclaimed band Bang! Zoom!, performing internationally with orchestras such as the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Israeli Philharmonic.

Paul’s work includes the Billboard #1 jazz album But Beautiful – Standards Vol.1 with Boz Scaggs, and collaborations with Madeline Peyroux, David Liebman, and many others. He is also a recipient of a performance grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Today, Paul continues to perform and compose, drawing from a deep well of musical experience and a passion for collaboration that has defined his unique voice in jazz.