Paul Barry

Paul Barry, a blues harmonica player, promoter, and bandleader, was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. Paul has fronted many bands over the years, playing and recording with Big Smokey Smothers, Willie Walker, and Mitch Kashmar among others. In 2016 Paul released a 1992 recording where he backed the legendary former Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf sideman Big Smokey Smothers. That's Alright received critical acclaim and was Smothers' final studio recording. Paul also released two albums...See more

Paul Barry, a blues harmonica player, promoter, and bandleader, was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. Paul has fronted many bands over the years, playing and recording with Big Smokey Smothers, Willie Walker, and Mitch Kashmar among others. In 2016 Paul released a 1992 recording where he backed the legendary former Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf sideman Big Smokey Smothers. That's Alright received critical acclaim and was Smothers' final studio recording. Paul also released two albums under his own name: Talk Is Cheap in 2016 and Blow It Cool in 2018. The Paul Barry Blues Band, based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, specializes in Chicago and West Coast jump blues and plays locally in clubs and festivals in and around the state of Minnesota. Paul also is active in promoting blues in the Twin Cities area dating back to the late 1970s. He currently hosts an annual New Year's Eve blues celebration with nationally known blues artists. In his spare time, Paul is an avid tennis player and an awarding-winning high school tennis coach. See less