Maria Muldaur is best known world-wide for her 1974 mega-hit “Midnight at the
Oasis,” which received several Grammy nominations, and enshrined her forever in
the hearts of Baby Boomers everywhere; but despite her considerable pop music
success, her 55-plus year career could best be described as a long and adventurous
odyssey through the various forms of American Roots Music. During the Folk
Revival of the early ’60s, she began exploring and singing early Blues, Bluegrass
and Appalachian “Old Timey” Music, beginning her recording career in 1963 with
the Even Dozen Jug Band and shortly thereafter, joining the very popular Jim
Kweskin Jug Band, touring and recording with them throughout the ’60s.
In the 46 years since “Midnight at the Oasis,” Maria has toured extensively
worldwide and has recorded 41 solo albums covering all kinds of American Roots
Music, including Gospel, R&B, Jazz and Big Band (not to mention several award-
winning children’s albums). She has now settled comfortably into her favorite
idiom, the Blues. Often joining forces with some of the top names in the business,
Maria has recorded and produced on-average an album per year, several of which
have been nominated for Grammys and other awards.
Her critically acclaimed 2001 Stony Plain Records release, Richland Woman Blues,
was nominated for a Grammy and by the Blues Foundation as Best Traditional
Blues Album of the Year, as was the follow up to that album, Sweet Lovin’ Ol’
Soul. Her timely 2008 album, Yes We Can!, featured her “Women’s Voices for
Peace Choir,” which includes: Bonnie Raitt, Joan, Baez, Jane Fonda, Odetta,
Phoebe Snow, Holly Near and others. In 2009 Maria teamed up with John
Sebastian, David Grisman, and Dan Hicks. Maria Muldaur & Her Garden of Joy
garnered Maria her 5th Grammy Nomination, and was also nominated for Best
Traditional Blues Album of the Year by The Blues Foundation.