Paul Davies

Spending his formative years in upstate New York, the son of an IBM’er, Paul pursued little league, bike riding, stamp collecting and the British invasion. It wasn’t until his 18^th birthday that he thought about making his own music. On a backpacking trip to Europe in 1970, with his first harmonica, Paul began tinkering with brass vibrations which to date has slowly consumed him. College put him on track to spend the past 40 years in the building business.

Learning to play the harmonica was a self-taught endeavor at the time, as instructional material was just starting to be published. Paul’s interest in Old Timey and Bluegrass music set him on an acoustical course, attacking fiddle tunes and country licks. In 1980, Swallow Hill Music Association in Denver, hired him to teach the “Tin Sandwich”, which continued through 2002. During this time, he started the Mile High Harmonica Club, which is coming up on its 26th year. The club gathers twice a month to share tunes, jam and learn.

The harmonica convention in 1992 blasted opened new doors into the international world of the harmonica. The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH), which started in 1962, introduced Paul to the world’s most renowned players, all willing to share and teach what they know. Excited to get involved, he served as President, and for many years as SPAH’s Artistic Director, booking entertainment for the annual conventions.

He has three beautiful grown children and a very supportive wife. Paul continues to teach harmonica, offering private lessons, in person and on Skype. He has thoroughly enjoyed the musical journey.