Paul Shaw has been a member of many musical groups including the USAF Falconaires; Inside Out, a traditional jazz quintet regularly featured on National Public Radio; and The Swing Association, a traditional jazz quartet voted Atlanta’s top jazz ensemble during Paul’s tenure with the group.

Paul Shaw has performed with notable musicians including Brad Shepik, Oscar Brown Jr., Donald Harrison, Chris Vadala, Frank Lacy, Nnenna Frehlon, Lizz Wright, Steve Nelson, Gilbert Castellanos, Jacques Lesure, John Popper, Jiggs Whigham, Johnny O’Neal, Tom Coster, Devon Allman, Bill Watrous, Jim Pugh, Kim Stone, Rufus Reid, Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant, Mark Anthony, Celine Dion, Jessica Simpson, Lonestar, Vince Gil, Restless Heart, and Blues Traveler.

Paul studied privately with Ari Hoenig, Jeff Hamilton, John Riley, Peter Erskine, Ralph Peterson, Kenny Barron, Larry Riddley, Ted Dunbar, Mike Mossman, Ralph Bowen, Jack Bell, William Moersch, Keith Copeland, Edgar Bateman, Alan Farnham, Chris Orazi, N’dugu Chancelor, Rufus Reid, Jimmy McNeely, Ricky Sebastian, Dana Hall, Steve Davis, Joe Morello, and Mark Colenburg. He attended several undergraduate institutions including Rutgers and Georgia State University. He received a professional certificate in arranging from Berklee College of Music. He earned a master’s degree in jazz studies from New York University. He is currently a doctoral candidate in humanities at Union Institute and University. 

Paul began playing the drums at five. Paul spent 20 years in the Air Force as a big band drummer and then as the assistant director of the U.S. Air Force Academy drum and bugle corps. Paul has taught undergraduate music and humanities courses at Mercer, Salem, and United States Universities. He has taught private drum lessons for more than 25 years.