The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

The Profile

American blues-rock band formed in Chicago in the early 1960s, led by harmonica player and vocalist Paul Butterfield. Known for combining blues with jazz, psychedelia and modal improvisation; key albums include the debut Paul Butterfield Blues Band and East-West.

Formed in the early 1960s; lineup on East-West included Paul Butterfield (vocals, harmonica), Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop (guitars), Mark Naftalin (keys), Jerome Arnold (bass) and Billy Davenport (drums). The band attracted interest from Elektra Records and released East-West (1966/1967), an album noted for expanding blues into jazz and psychedelic directions.

DeBaser hosts a small set of enthusiastic reviews praising The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, especially the album East-West. Reviewers highlight the group's fusion of blues with jazz, psychedelia and Indian-influenced modal improvisation. Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop and Paul Butterfield are repeatedly singled out for their performances.