guitar
From his early years, playing blues on Chicago's South Side, to his present multi-faceted career based out of northern Vermont, Paul has earned an underground reputation as a true "musician's musician". He has played and recorded with legends like John Lee Hooker, Earl Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Pops Staples, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Junior Wells, and numerous others. He also appeared on the milestone recording "Fathers and Sons" featuring Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield and also played on "The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions" LP, featuring Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and members of the Rolling Stones.
After moving to Vermont, he formed the Paul Asbell Quartet, soon to be renamed Kilimanjaro, and recorded 2 award-winning albums for Philo Records, which led to several appearances at the Kool Jazz Festival at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Roskilde Festival in Copenhagen, and numerous national tours and concert dates. He has also performed with folk icons David Bromberg, Paul Siebel, Mary McCaslin, and Rosalie Sorrells, jazz greats Jon Hendricks, Sonny Stitt, Nick Brignola, Betty Carter, James Carter, Kermit Ruffins, Michael Ray, the Sun Ra Arkestra, The Wild Magnolias, Joshua Redman, John Stowell, and many others.
Paul has recently released a solo acoustic CD, entitled "Steel String Americana", which has garnered raves from fellow musicians and critics.Recent solo appearances include a sold-out Lane Series show entitled "Local Heroes", several featured spots in the last several Discover Jazz Festivals, annual shows at Burlington First Night since 1995, and performances at ASIA (Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans) symposia in Nashville, TN.
Paul has taught for years at Dartmouth College and Middlebury College, and has given master-classes at Skidmore College, University of Vermont, Johnson State College, Marlboro College, and others. In addition, he presently sees between 10-25 private students/ week, covering every conceivable age group, stylistic orientation, and playing level. Past students have included recognized professionals in jazz, rock, folk, etc, including Phish songwriter/guitarist/icon Trey Anastasio.
For further information, check out Paul's web site at www.paulasbell.com.