Paul Oscher

Former Muddy Waters Blues Band member, Blues Singer and multi-instrumentalist (harmonica, guitar and piano) Paul Oscher first came to national attention as a member of the great Muddy Waters Blues Band from 1967-1972 and was the first Caucasian member of the group. Paul lived in Muddy’s house on Chicago’s South Side and shared the basement with blues piano player Otis Spann. Paul played the Chitlin’ Circuit and recorded with Muddy for the legendary Chess Records Company. Paul traveled the world with Muddy. Besides Muddy, Paul has performed and/or recorded with T-Bone Walker, Otis Spann, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Young, Johnny CopeIand, Louisiana Red, Big Mama Thornton, Victoria Spivey, and others. In 2003 he was featured playing harmonica, guitar. and singing on Hubert Sumlin's Grammy Nominated Album, "About Them Shoes," along with Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Levon Helm. In 2006 he collaborated with Mos Def and recorded the song "Bed Stuy Parade and Funeral March" on Mos Def's album "New Danger." He recorded with Keb Mo' in 2008 on the soundtrack of the film about the Blues, "Who Do You Love," and also, he recorded on Keb Mo's "Suitcase Album". Paul has won two W.C. Handy Blues Music Awards and has 9 Handy nominations. His latest recording, “Bet On The Blues,” was nominated for three Blues Music Awards. Paul Has also performed with Muddy Waters Buddy Guy and Fred Below in the Documentary "Chicago Blues" and has been interviewed in the the documentary about Muddy waters "Cant be satisfied by Robert Gordon and Paul appears in the documentary on Pinetops life.Paul is now in the process of writing his own book on his experiences in the blues In Paul’s show, besides playing and singing the blues, Paul also tells stories of his life in the blues and about the legends he knew. As we speak, Paul is now working on his new CD with his All-Star Texas Band which is scheduled for release early in early 2016.

As Muddy Waters harp player, Paul Oscher inspired a whole generation of blues players including Rick Estrin, Jerry Portnoy, Paul Delay, and William Clark. Paul is the real deal- he learned his blues from the masters. He plays only the real, unadulterated, down-in-the–alley, gutbucket blues. He is not a retro player. He just plays the blues the way he learned them… lowdown and lonesome and has been doing so for the last fifty years.

Paul Oscher now resides in Austin, Texas, and when he is not on the road, he has a weekly residence gig there with his five-piece band which includes a second guitar and saxophone.

“Paul Oscher plays the soul I feel.” - Muddy Waters

“... Classic Chicago Blues…his blues has the bite and gravity of the tradition he upholds.” - John Pareles, The New York Times

“… a deep satisfying blues experience.” - Critic’s Choice Billboard

“Paul Oscher’s a monster - harp, piano and guitar - plays slide like Muddy.” - James Cotton

“This is a man who has spent his life steeped in the blues tradition and it shows.” – Juke Blues (UK)

“This former member of the great Muddy Waters Blues Band not only channels the guitar sound of Muddy Waters, piano of Otis Spann, he’s got the deepest toned blues harp this side of Big Walter Horton and is a fine songwriter in the classic blues tradition. Paul Oscher is one of a kind
- Scott Dirks, author of Little Walter's biography, "Blues With A Feeling"

Paul Oscher at C-Boy's Heart and Soul is one of the best residence shows in Austin - an "essential hang."
- Austin Chronicle

For more info: check out Paul's website:
http://www.pauloscher.com
Great photos and stories there, too.