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Geoff Muldaur

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Geoff Muldaur
Muldaur performing in 2006
Muldaur performing in 2006
Background information
Born (1943-08-12) August 12, 1943 (age 81)
Pelham, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • banjo
  • penny whistle
Years active1960s–present
Websitegeoffmuldaur.com

Geoff Muldaur (born August 12, 1943)[1] is an American active singer, guitarist and composer, who was a founding member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band and a member of Paul Butterfield's Better Days.

Career

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Having established a reputation with the Kweskin Jug Band during the 1960s, Geoff and his then wife Maria Muldaur recorded their first album, Pottery Pie, for Warner Bros. Records in 1968.[2] this album contained his version of "Brazil" ("Aquarela do Brasil"), which became the theme for the film Brazil (1985) directed by Terry Gilliam.[3] After recording the album, the Muldaurs moved to Woodstock, New York.[1] They separated in 1972, shortly after Geoff Muldaur joined Paul Butterfield's Better Days band.

After leaving the Butterfield band in 1976, Muldaur recorded an album with Amos Garrett,[4] and Geoff Muldaur and the Nite Lites for Hannibal Records.[1] He also recorded with Bobby Charles, Jerry Garcia, Eric Von Schmidt, Bonnie Raitt, and John Cale. In the early 1980s, Muldaur left the stage and recording studio for a working sabbatical.[5] He wrote scores for film and television, won an Emmy Award, and produced albums for Lenny Pickett and Richard Greene. In 2003, Deutsche Grammophon released his album, Private Astronomy: A Vision of the Music of Bix Beiderbecke.[4] In 2009, Muldaur formed Geoff Muldaur and the Texas Sheiks with Stephen Bruton, Cindy Cashdollar, Suzy Thompson, Johnny Nicholas, and Bruce Hughes. Bruton died in 2009, and Tradition & Moderne released the album Texas Sheiks.

Personal life

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He married Maria D’Amato in 1964. They had a daughter on March 29, 1964, Jenni Muldaur, who is also a musician.[6][7] After the Kweskin group broke up, the couple produced two albums. Maria began her solo career when their marriage ended in 1972 and retained her married name.[8]

His sister is actress Diana Muldaur. His daughters Jenni and Clare are also musicians.

Discography

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As leader

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  • Sleepy Man Blues (Prestige, 1964)
  • Pottery Pie, with Maria Muldaur (Reprise, 1968)
  • Sweet Potatoes, with Maria Muldaur (Reprise, 1972)
  • Is Having a Wonderful Time (Reprise, 1975)
  • Motion (Reprise, 1976)
  • Blues Boy (Flying Fish, 1979)
  • Geoff Muldaur & Amos Garrett (Flying Fish, 1978)
  • Live in Japan (Yupiteru, 1979)
  • I Ain't Drunk (Hannibal, 1980)
  • The Secret Handshake (HighTone, 1998)
  • Beautiful Isle of Somewhere (Tradition & Moderne, 1999)
  • Password (HighTone, 2000)
  • Private Astronomy: A Vision of the Music of Bix Beiderbecke (Edge Music, 2003)
  • Texas Sheiks (Tradition & Moderne, 2009)[4]

With Jim Kweskin

  • Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band: Unblushing Brassiness (Vanguard, 1963)
  • Jug Band Music (Vanguard, 1965)
  • See Reverse Side for Title (Vanguard, 1966)
  • Garden of Joy (Reprise, 1967)
  • Penny's Farm (Kingswood, 2015)

As sideman or guest

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With Eric Von Schmidt

  • The Folk Blues of Eric Von Schmidt (Prestige, 1964)
  • Eric Sings Von Schmidt (Prestige, 1965)
  • 2nd Right 3rd Row (Poppy, 1972)
  • Eric Von Schmidt and the Cruel Family (Philo, 1978)

With others

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Geoff Muldaur Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  2. ^ Deming, Mark. "Pottery Pie". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  3. ^ [1] [dead link]
  4. ^ a b c "Geoff Muldaur Albums and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Geoff Muldaur Bio". Geoffmuldaur.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-08. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  6. ^ "Jenni Muldaur". Discogs. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  7. ^ "Jenni Muldaur". Soul Tracks. 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  8. ^ Huey, Steve. "Maria Muldaur— Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
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