Paul was born and raised in Oklahoma. He began playing the baritone in the sixth grade. He switched to playing the cornet in the middle of his 7th grade year and he received his first trumpet during his 9th grade year. After graduating from high school (Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma) in 1984, Paul attended college in pursuit of a music education degree. Paul has studied the trumpet with Wes McLennan, Danny Zaloudik, Lee Rucker, and John Carroll.
Paul's full-time performance career began in 1988,
- Paul has performed as the lead trumpet player for many well known artists/groups: The Rock Band "Chicago", Maynard Ferguson, Barry Manilow, The Four Tops, Roy Clark, Bloodstone, Flash Cadillac, Gloria Gaynor, Heatwave, The Temptations, Vicki Carr & Bob Florence, Maureen McGovern, John Pizzarelli, The Hoagy Carmichael Orchestra (Orchestra Manager/Lead Trumpet), Ben Vereen, Nell Carter, Cleo Laine & John Dankworth, actor John Schneider, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, The Ink Spots, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Allen Vizzutti, Jeff Tyzik, Arturo Sandoval, Ruben Ramos, The San Antonio Symphony, The 2005 Presidential Inaugural Ball (The Independence Ball) for President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney etc...
- Played musicals/shows: Westside Story, Sophisticated Ladies, Annie w/Sally Struthers, Victor-Victoria w/Toni Tenille, The Music Man w/Larry Gatlin, Fiddler On The Roof, Our Sinatra, and others.
- Recorded for: NHK, RCA, Verve, Disney, Columbia, and Touchstone Pictures performing everything from T.V. and radio shows, jingles, and commercials to motion picture soundtracks. Paul can also be heard performing the bugle calls on the Soundtrack for the Movie, "The Alamo", starring Jason Patric, Billy Bob Thorton, and Dennis Quaid. Check out Paul's Discography
- Performed as lead trumpet player in Japan with: The Dave Stryker/Steve Slagel Big Band, The Eric Miyashiro Big Band, The Yoshihiko Katori Big Band, The Tokyo Leaders Big Band, and The Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band.
Paul performed for 10 years as the lead/1st trumpet player with the U.S Air Force Bands.
- During his time with the U.S. Air Force Bands Paul had the opportunity to perform with many well known musicians and conductors: Bob Hope, Louie Bellson, Don Rader, Frank Mantooth, Marvin Stamm, Jon Faddis, Morton Gould, Ron Nelson, Frederick Fennel, Sammy Nestico, James & John Morrison, B.J. Thomas, Steve Smith (drummer for the rock band "Journey"), actor Wilford Brimley and others.
Paul has also performed for:
The President and Mrs. George Bush, Vice President Dan Quayle, Vice President Al Gore, Gen. Colin Powell, Lady Bird Johnson, Actor/Retired Gen. Jimmy Stewart, Ambassador Walter Mondale, Gov. George W. Bush as well as many other American and foreign dignitaries.
Sergeant First Class Paul Stephens is currently on active duty in the U.S. Army. He is the lead trumpet player for the U.S. Army Field Band's "Jazz Ambassadors". The Jazz Ambassadors is the U.S. Army's premier touring jazz orchestra based at Ft. Meade, Maryland. Since joining the Jazz Ambassadors SFC Stephens has worked with Phil Woods, Slide Hampton, and The Boston Pops Orchestra with Marvin Hamlisch as well as performing hundreds of concerts throughout the United States and Norway. In January 2005 SFC Stephens performed in the Presidential Inaugural parade for President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. He can be heard on the latest Jazz Ambassadors CD titled "The Legacy of Benny Carter".
For further information regarding the Jazz Ambassadors and to hear recordings of the band please visit the web site @ www.jazzambassadors.com
Paul currently resides in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife Allana.