Joseph Hull was born in St. Louis, Missouri but has also resided in California and Washington, D.C. where he received his Bachelor of Music degree from Howard University. He subsequently attended the Washington University Graduate School to earn his Masters in Piano, as his long-term dream was to become a concert pianist. This dream was cut short by the onset of focal dystonia, a disabling condition affecting his right hand, making it impossible for him to continue on with his career choice. As a result, he shifted his attention more seriously toward composing, an activity he had been engaged in since the age of eleven.
The bulk of his work has been for piano but he has also composed for other instruments including accompanied flute, clarinet, and violin. His catalog additionally, includes larger pieces for orchestra although he does not consider this his forte.