Heroes of Harp: Paul Oscher

PAUL OSCHER

Keith Parker

I felt Heroes of the Harp this issue should be dedicated to the great Paul Oscher who passed away recently. Paul was well known as the first white harp player to play in the Muddy Waters Blues Band which he did from 1967 to 1972 and his history is well documented.

However, he was so much more than that: he was a multiinstrumentalist who played diatonic, chromatic and bass harmonicas in a blues style, and most of the time with a rack while playing another instrument. He was also well known for his storytelling whilst on stage, including the one about him meeting Little Walter for the first time in Muddy’s house, where he was staying with Otis Span and playing Three-card Monte with him. He tells this story on his album Bet on the Blues. I was fortunate enough to meet him on my last visit to Austin Texas in 2017. Whenever I visit a town or city, I check the listings to see who is playing when and where, and I try to immerse myself in the local music scene. On checking the local music paper, I noticed P Oscher on the bill in a small club just outside the city called C-Boys at 6.30 on the next Thursday. Surely that cannot be THE Paul Oscher – he must have a bigger listing than that! On the Wednesday night at the same club there was a jam session, so Jackie and I went along. I was invited to play with the local musicians, and I asked these guys, was that THE Paul Oscher playing tomorrow night? Yes, they all said; he plays here every week on Thursdays. Thursday arrives, and Jackie and I get a cab to the club, expecting a queue to get in, but there was no queue, and it was free to get in. There were around ten people in the club, and sure enough there was the great man setting up his kit ready for the show. So, we bought a drink, found a table and settled down for a great evening’s entertainment that I will never forget, and what an entertainer – he played keyboard, guitar, diatonic, chromatic and bass harmonicas and sang with a great bluesy voice. And he didn’t just sing blues, but also country and gospel – fantastic. At the end of the show, the bucket got passed around for tips, and he got off the stage to make way for the next act. I was shocked to see this legend of the harmonica was playing for tips. As there were not too many people in the club, I went to talk to him. He was truly humbled that we had travelled to see him and that we knew who he was. When he realised I was a harp player too, he said that I should have told him earlier and he would have invited me to play with him! He did not have to say that, but he did. In my opinion, he was a true musical legend and all-round nice guy, who I am pleased to say I met; and I will never forget that Little Walter story.

Photo: Dave Peabody. Paul Oscher at the London Blues Club, 2008