Chris O'Leary

Born in Schenectady, New York (USA) in 1968, Chris O’Leary attended his first concert at the age of 10 as part of the farewell tour of the legendary band The Band. A few months later, he bought the live album « The Last Waltz » giving him a second emotional shock with the discovery on this record of Muddy Waters performing « Mannish boy » accompanied by harmonica player Paul Butterfield. Then the album « Hard Again » by Muddy Waters (produced by Johnny Winter) allowed Chris to discover harmonica player James Cotton and sealed his vocation by listening to the powerful playing so evocative of the artist.

Self-taught on the harmonica and with an excellent voice, he founded his first band upon his return from military service in the Marine Corps and began playing in New York clubs.

Levon Helm (the Band’s drummer) discovered a demo of Chris and invited him to go on stage with him for a concert, then to join his house band in the club that Levon opened in New Orleans (Classic American Café on Decatur Street). Chris meets many of his heroes there, from Hubert Sumlin to James Cotton.

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