Paul Oscher Tribute

April 5, 1950 to April 18, 2021

Paul Oscher played harmonica as a member of the Muddy Waters Blues Band from 1967 until 1972. He was the first Caucasian musician in Muddy’s band and lived in Muddy’s house on Chicago’s South Side and shared the basement with the blues pianist Otis Spann. This hands-on training gave his blues performances an unrivaled authenticity. His entire life was dedicated to presenting and preserving the heritage of the blues. We honor this great bluesman with the following collection of photos.

Muddy Waters, Luther “Snake” Johnson, Paul Oscher, Pee Wee Madison, Sonny Wimberly. Photo Jean-Pierre Leloir.

Muddy Waters, Luther “Snake” Johnson, Paul Oscher.

Muddy Waters Band, November 27, 1968, Toby Jug Pub, Tolworth, Surrey, near London. Photo Bert Bevis.

Muddy Waters Band, November 27, 1968, Toby Jug Pub, Tolworth, Surrey, near London. Photo Bert Bevis.

Paul Oscher and Jerry Portnoy. Both were harmonica players in Muddy Waters band. Photo courtesy Jerry Portnoy.

Multi instrumentalist Paul Oscher. Photo Joseph Rosen.

Paul Oscher at Chess Recording Studio. Photo Jeff Lowenthal.

Paul Oscher at Chess Recording Studios during an early 1970s Muddy Waters recording session. Photo Jeff Lowenthal.

Paul Oscher and Big Walter Horton. Paul brought Walter and John Nicholas to New York City in 1976 to play at a club called Fugue. Photo by Willie Strandberg.

Paul Oscher and Jerry Portnoy at the Rhythm Room. Photo by Bob Corritore.

Muddy Waters and Paul Oscher.

Muddy Waters and Paul Oscher.

Kim Wilson, Bob Corritore, Paul Oscher at the 2005 Grammy’s Special Awards Banquet where Pinetop Perkins received his Lifetime Achievement Grammy.