Maria Muldaur (born Maria Grazia Rosa Domenica D'Amato; September 12, 1942) is an American folk and blues singer who was part of the

American folk music revival The American folk music revival began during the 1940s and peaked in popularity in the mid-1960s. Its roots went earlier, and performers like Josh White, Burl Ives, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Big Bill Broonzy, Billie Holiday, Richard Dyer-B ...

in the early 1960s. She recorded the 1973 hit song " Midnight at the Oasis" and has recorded albums in the folk, blues, early jazz, gospel, country, and R&B traditions. She was the wife of musician

Geoff Muldaur Geoff Muldaur (born August 12, 1943) 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 Having established a reputation with the Kw ...

and is the mother of singer-songwriter Jenni Muldaur.

Biography

Muldaur was born in

Greenwich Village Greenwich Village ( , , ) is a neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City, bounded by 14th Street to the north, Broadway to the east, Houston Street to the south, and the Hudson River to the west. Greenwich Village ...

, New York City, where she attended

Hunter College High School Hunter College High School is a secondary school located in the Carnegie Hill neighborhood on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It is administered by Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY). Hunter is publicly funded, and there ...

. Muldaur cites as early musical influences classic country music by Kitty Wells,

Hank Williams Hank Williams (born Hiram Williams; September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, he reco ...

, Hank Snow, Hank Thompson,

Ernest Tubb Ernest Dale Tubb (February 9, 1914 – September 6, 1984), nicknamed the Texas Troubadour, was an American singer and songwriter and one of the pioneers of country music. His biggest career hit song, "Walking the Floor Over You" (1941), ...

, and

Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys James Robert Wills (March 6, 1905 – May 13, 1975) was an American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the founder of Western swing, he was known widely as the King of Western Swing (although ...

; early

rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated in African-American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly ...

artists like Chuck Willis,

Little Richard Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), known professionally as Little Richard, was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Described as the " ...

, Ruth Brown, Fats Domino, and

Muddy Waters McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 April 30, 1983), known professionally as Muddy Waters, was an American blues singer and musician who was an important figure in the post- war blues scene, and is often cited as the "father of modern Chicag ...

; Alan Freed " rock 'n' roll" shows; and

doo-wop Doo-wop (also spelled doowop and doo wop) is a genre of rhythm and blues music that originated in African-American communities during the 1940s, mainly in the large cities of the United States, including New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chica ...

groups such as The Platters and

The Five Satins The Five Satins are an American doo-wop group, best known for their 1956 million-selling song, " In the Still of the Night." They were formed in 1954 and continued performing until 1994. When it was formed, the group consisted of six members, ...

. Muldaur began her career in the early 1960s as Maria D'Amato, performing with John Sebastian, David Grisman, and Stefan Grossman as a member of the

Even Dozen Jug Band The Even Dozen Jug Band was founded in 1963 by Stefan Grossman (solo country blues and ragtime guitarist) and Peter Siegel (roots-based guitarist and producer) in New York City, New York. Other members were David Grisman (a noted mandolinist), Ste ...

. She then joined Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band as a featured vocalist and occasional fiddle player. During this time, she was part of the Greenwich Village scene that included

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...

, and some of her recollections of the period, particularly with respect to Dylan, appear in

Martin Scorsese Martin Charles Scorsese ( , ; born November 17, 1942) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and actor. Scorsese emerged as one of the major figures of the New Hollywood era. He is the recipient of many major accolades, incl ...

's 2005 documentary film '' No Direction Home''. She married fellow Jug Band member

, and after the Kweskin group broke up, the couple produced two albums. She began her solo career when their marriage ended in 1972 but retained her married name. Her first solo album, '' Maria Muldaur'', released in 1973, contained her hit single " Midnight at the Oasis", which reached number 6 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1974. It also peaked at number 21 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. Later that year, she released her second album, ''

Waitress in a Donut Shop Waiting staff (British English), waitstaff (North American English), waiters (male) / waitresses (female), or servers (North American English), are those who work at a restaurant, a diner, or a bar and sometimes in private homes, attendin ...

''. This included a re-recording of " I'm a Woman", the Leiber and Stoller number first associated with Peggy Lee and a standout feature from her Jug Band days. The title of this album is taken from a line in another song on the album, "Sweetheart", by Ken Burgan. Maria Muldaur band, Cambridge 1983

Around this time, Muldaur established a relationship with the

Grateful Dead The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band is known for its eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, country, jazz, bluegrass, blues, rock and roll, gospel, reggae, world music, ...

. Opening for some Grateful Dead shows in the summer of 1974, with John Kahn, bassist of the Jerry Garcia Band, eventually earned her a seat in that group as a

backing vocalist A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are ...

in the late 1970s. Around the same time Muldaur met and eventually collaborated with bluegrass icon Peter Rowan. The two became close, and she was chosen to be the godmother of his daughter Amanda Rowan. She appeared on '' Super Jam'' (1989), the live recording of the

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

TV series ''Villa Fantastica'', with

Brian Auger Brian Albert Gordon Auger (born 18 July 1939) is an English jazz rock and rock music keyboardist who specialises in the Hammond organ. Auger has worked with Rod Stewart, Tony Williams, Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Sonny Boy Williamson, an ...

on piano, Pete York on

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair of matching drumsticks ...

, Dick Morrissey on

tenor saxophone The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B (while ...

, Roy Williams on trombone, Harvey Weston on bass and

Zoot Money George Bruno Money (born 17 July 1942) is an English vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader. He is best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band. Inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles, he was draw ...

, also on vocals. Around 1980, Muldaur became a Christian and released a live album, ''Gospel Nights'', and a studio album, ''There Is A Love''. In 1983 she returned to secular music with ''Sweet and Slow'', a set informed by vintage jazz and blues. Muldaur continued to perform, tour, and record after her success in the mid 1970s, including a turn at the Teatro ZinZanni in 2001. Her 2005 release ''Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul'' was nominated for both a

Blues Music Award The Blues Music Awards, formerly known as the W. C. Handy Awards (or "The Handys"), are awards presented by the Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization set up to foster blues heritage. The awards were originally named in honor of W. C. Hand ...

(formerly the W.C. Handy Award) and a

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...

in the Traditional Blues category. In 2013, she was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female) category. In 2003, Muldaur performed at

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between West 56th and 57th Streets. Designed by architect William Burnet Tuthill and built ...

in the Tribute to Peggy Lee produced by Richard Barone. In 2018 she performed in Barone's

Central Park Central Park is an urban park in New York City located between the Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the fifth-largest park in the city, covering . It is the most visited urban park in the United States, with an estimated ...

concert ''Music & Revolution'' along with John Sebastian and others from her Greenwich Village days. In 2019, she received the Trailblazer award at the Americana Music Honors & Awards. In 2021, Muldaur recorded and released the album ''Let's Get Happy Together'', a 40-minute, 12-track album in collaboration with

Tuba Skinny Tuba Skinny is a traditional jazz street band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band's instrumentation includes cornet, clarinet, trombone, tuba, tenor banjo, guitar, frottoir, and vocals. The ensemble draws its inspiration from the early ...

Discography

Even Dozen Jug Band

* '' The Even Dozen Jug Band'' (1964, credited as Maria D'Amato) ( Elektra, EKS-7246)

Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band

* ''Jug Band Music'' (1965, credited as Maria D'Amato) (

Vanguard The vanguard (also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force. History The vanguard derives f ...

, VDS-79163) * ''See Reverse Side for Title'' (1966, credited as Maria D'Amato) (Vanguard, VDS-79234) * ''Garden of Joy'' (1967) ( Reprise, RS-6266) * ''The Best of Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band'' (1968, compilation, credited as Maria D'Amato) (Vanguard, VDS-79270)

Geoff & Maria Muldaur

* ''Pottery Pie'' (1969) (Reprise, RS-6350) * ''Sweet Potatoes'' (1972) (Reprise, MS-2073)

Solo

Jerry Garcia Band

* ''

Cats Under the Stars ''Cats Under the Stars'' is the only studio album by the American rock band the Jerry Garcia Band. Released in 1978 on Arista Records, the album was the first release by the group, which was a long-running side project of Grateful Dead singer and g ...

'' (1978, Arista) * '' Pure Jerry: Warner Theatre, March 18, 1978'' (2005, Jerry Made) * '' Pure Jerry: Bay Area 1978'' (2009, Jerry Made) * '' Garcia Live Volume Four'' (2014, ATO)

Paul Butterfield's Better Days

*''Better Days'' (1973, Bearsville) – on tracks 5, 7, and 8 *''It All Comes Back'' (1973, Bearsville) – credited as "vocals", but no specific tracks given

Other contributions

* Wendy Waldman, ''Love Has Got Me'' (1973, Warner Bros.) – Background vocals on "Lee's Traveling Song" *

Linda Ronstadt Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is a retired American singer who performed and recorded in diverse genres including rock, country, light opera, the Great American Songbook, and Latin. She has earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American ...

, ''

Heart Like a Wheel ''Heart Like a Wheel'' is the fifth solo studio album by Linda Ronstadt, released in November 1974. It was Ronstadt's last album to be released by Capitol Records. At the time of its recording, Ronstadt had already moved to Asylum Records and ...

'' (1974, Capitol) – Harmony vocals on "Heart Like A Wheel" * Wendy Waldman, ''Gypsy Symphony'' (1974, Warner Bros.) – Background vocals on "Come On Down" *

, '' Prisoner In Disguise'' (1975, Elektra) – harmonies/background vocals on "You Tell Me That I'm Falling Down" * The Doobie Brothers, '' Stampede'' (1975, Warner Bros.) – Vocals on "I Cheat the Hangman" *

Elvin Bishop Elvin Richard Bishop (born October 21, 1942) is an American blues and rock music singer, guitarist, bandleader, and songwriter. An original member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a mem ...

, ''Hog Heaven'' (1978, Capricorn) – on two songs *

Terry Robb Terry Robb is a Canadian fingerstyle guitarist, composer, arranger and record producer living in the United States. He plays electric and acoustic guitar, and is associated with the American Primitive Guitar genre through his collaboration with ste ...

, ''Stop This World'' (1996, Burnside BCD-0025) *'' Johnny's Blues: A Tribute to Johnny Cash'' (2003,

Northern Blues The Preston Football Club, which trades and plays as the Northern Bullants, is a long-established Australian rules football club based in Preston, Victoria, Preston that plays in the Victorian Football League (VFL). It plays its home games at t ...

)Muldaur contributes "Walking the Blues". The Cash version is on the album ''The Legend'' ( Sun, 1970) and on '' The Essential Johnny Cash 1955–1983'' (

Legacy In law, a legacy is something held and transferred to someone as their inheritance, as by will and testament. Personal effects, family property, marriage property or collective property gained by will of real property. Legacy or legacies may refer ...

, 1992).

References

External links

Official website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muldaur, Maria 1943 births American women singers American folk singers American people of Italian descent Black Top Records artists Reprise Records artists Warner Records artists Hunter College High School alumni Living people People from Greenwich Village Singers from New York City Jerry Garcia Band members Even Dozen Jug Band members 21st-century American women