“Since Clapton was in London, I was tapped to fill in the spaces – I was given credit in the ‘special thanks’ section”: He played with blues legends and taught Trey Anastasio. Now Paul Asbell is reflecting on 50 years as a player’s player

Paul Asbell.

A real player’s player, Paul Asbell has worked with Magic Sam, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Sonny Sitt, the Sun Ra Arkestra and more. He was even Trey Anastasio’s guitar teacher once upon a time.

“I began my gig career sitting in at blues clubs like Peppers’ and Theresa’s, which were near where I was living on the South Side,” he says of his start in Chicago. “I started getting calls to fill in, then I got hired full-time to fill those spots in working bands.”