Renowned as an “artist beyond his time” by distinguished American composer John Corigliano and praised by Brutal New Music Reviews as possessing “the caliber of a soloist with whom composers dream to collaborate,” saxophonist Don-Paul Kahl has performed across Europe, the United States, Australia, Japan, and South-East Asia. His performance record includes invitations to prestigious music festivals such as the KURAIA Festival (ES), Tallinn New Music Days (ET), Mise-En Music Festival (US), and SoundPlasma Festival (DE), among many others.
Don-Paul was a prizewinner at the prestigious contemporary saxophone competition, the 4th Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition in Bangkok, Thailand. A passionate advocate for and specialist in contemporary music, he has premiered many new works for saxophone by established composers, contributing significantly to the evolution of modern music. Recent commissions include works by Ramon Lazkano, Stratis Minakakis, María Eugenia Luc, Yotam Haber, Katarina Miljokovic, and Nicholas Tzortzis, etc.
Among many publically released albums, Don-Paul released his debut solo album, Go Within, on the Equilibrium Label in September 2021. Featuring six compelling works, the album demonstrates his commitment to championing the works by living composers. Collaborating with pianist Alessandro Cervino, the project showcases compositions by Molly Joyce, Stratis Minakakis, Eleni Ralli, Gregory Wanamaker, Mischa Zupko, and Kenichi Ikuno Sekiguchi.
As an avid and in-demand chamber musician, Don-Paul is active with the internationally acclaimed saxophone quartet, Ensemble du Bout du Monde (EBM), his duo with clarinetist, Jackie Glazier, Duo Entre-Nous (D2), with Woodwork, a dynamic reed quintet based in Belgium, and the Central Pennsylvania saxophone and piano duo, Kahl & Nyce Duo.
Don-Paul also maintains an active practice as a researcher, academic, and teacher. With respect to saxophone, saxophone without mouthpiece, and modern pedagogical practices he has given many masterclasses and guest artist recitals at universities in the United States and Europe.
In 2017, he completed a post-graduate performatory research program at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven, Belgium. Previously, he earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Music degree from Susquehanna University (Summa Cum Laude). His primary teachers and mentors are Jean-Michel Goury, Marcus Weiss, Jonathan Helton, Geoffrey Deibel, and Gail B. Levinsky, with additional study with Frederick L. Hemke.