Saxophonist and composer Paul Carlon grew up in rural central New York and started started playing music in the 4th grade at school. Paul attempted to follow in the footsteps of his older string-playing siblings by taking cello lessons, but the vibrant timbre and mystery of the sax called to him more. From there his experience with music was a mixture of schooled and self-taught. After finishing a degree in English Literature from Cornell University in 1991, Paul moved to NYC and became part of the thriving 90's straight ahead jazz scene, learning from elders and participating in all-night cutting sessions at Small's jazz club. 

Paul joined bassist Phil Bowler's band Pocket Jungle in 1994, and by the late 90's was also working with Grupo los Santos and Cuban trombonist Juan Pablo Torres' quintet. Along the way he released his first album, Looking Up (1998), using Bowler's rhythm section and featuring a program of all originals. Paul began writing for larger ensembles as well, leading to his Octet releases (Other Tongues/2005 and Roots Propaganda/2008) and eventually to his Afro-Latin Billy Strayhorn tribute on Zoho Music, 2013's La Rumba is a Lovesome Thing. Paul's most recent releases are with his Quintet (Blues For Vita, 2024), with Nation Beat (Archaic Humans, 2024), and with vocalist Melanie Scholtz (Seven and Sweet Nancy, both 2024). 

The Paul Carlon Trio was formed in the winter of 2015, when he was asked to put together a group for a regular Saturday brunch gig at Papasito restaurant in Upper Manhattan. Transferring the Sonny Rollins chordless trio concept to a Latin format, Paul decided to invited Grammy-nominated conguero Wilson “Chembo” Corniel and young lion bassist Alex Ayala to the gig, and the group began drawing a loyal weekly following. They released their debut album, Tresillo, in 2017, and are set to release their latest, Between Us Three, on Truth Revolutions Records this summer.  The trio will be celebrating with an album release concert at Drom on July 16, 2026.