Story
Biographies of Paul Millns, Butch Coulter and Ingo Rau

Biography
Where it all began
Raised in Norfolk, Paul started his musical career in the late 60s and early 70s playing piano and keyboards for blues and soul bands, music which was to be a great influence throughout his career. A visit to a Ray Charles concert in the early sixties left a lasting impression, and the advent of songwriters like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen inspired him to concentrate on his own songwriting.
Paul subsequently toured the world in the bands of ALEXIS KORNER, ERIC BURDON, with blues men like LOUISIANA RED, PETER THORUP, and folk legend BERT JANSCH.
In the mid 70s his first solo album of own songs was released on Phillips/Phonogram, and in 1979 a trip to Germany to record a soundtrack of original songs for a German feature film, brought recognition and a reputation in Europe which increased in the 80s and 90s by subsequent album and CD releases.

From Ray Charles to Tom Waits
A unique smoky singing voice
Paul Millns is renowned for his unique smoky singing voice, often compared to the likes of Ray Charles, Joe Cocker and Tom Waits, a winning combination with his bluesy piano style. His songs retain his soul and blues background, but range widely in subject matter across social, political and personal relationships.
Translated into many languages, his songs and music have been used in film, TV and ballet. Paul recently composed specially commissioned music for BBC films, and worked with full orchestra and choir in Russia to produce his PAPILLONS work for ballet, together with Swiss artist Jurg Gabele.
Many other artists have performed and recorded Paul’s songs, including ELKIE BROOKS singing “Too much between us” for her hit album “Pearls 2”, and more recently BONNIE TYLER singing “Forget her” on her Free Spirit album
Still writing, still touring
the show goes on
Paul is still writing and touring, mostly in Germany but also in Switzerland, Italy, occasionnally in Denmark and the UK. His album CLOSE TO THE BONE was released in 2023, with Paul’s regular band featuring Butch Coulter on harmonica and guitar, Ingo Rau on bass.
His 21st album
close to the bone
Paul’s latest album, with fourteen new songs, recorded in Ingo’s studios in Freiburg. With Butch Coulter on harmonica and guitar, Ingo Rau on bass and accordion, Vicenzo Barattin, on drums, Jim Riley, on drums (Loving a laughing girl, Stony ground), Andreas Millns, on hammond organ, Nick Pentelow, on clarinet and saxophone, Cathy Taylor, on flute.

Paul’s 22nd Album

HISTORY OF A KISS
Paul’s new album ‘History of a Kiss’ was recorded on a beautiful 1930’s Steinway piano in Treviso Italy. It is a solo reappraisal of some of his favourite songs of the past.
As Paul says, ” the surprise of finding this beautiful old instrument in a lovely little studio in the middle of Italy, and also the chance to record with it, was just too good an opportunity to resist.”
The result is this powerful and intimate album of outstanding recordings.
Press review
Acclaimed singer
songwriter & Pianist
“If there is any justice in the musical world, he would be filling the biggest halls in the land”

“A singer-pianist-composer to make Elton John shiver in his shoes – a fusion of jazz and blues, a voice burning with emotion”

“SuperB singer/Songwriter/pianist – supremely lyrical and melodic songs”

“His music defies categories, spanning earthy blues, love ballads, soul rock and jazz. He has one of the most expressive voices you will ever hear, and he uses it to bring out all the emotions he packs into some superb lyrics”

“A charismatic performer”


Bass and accordEOn
Ingo Rau
Born in Karlsruhe, Germany, studied bass and drums. He started playing professionally in the German band EAT AMPS ALIVE in 1991 and they recorded four hit albums. Since then he has been the owner, producer and engineer in a recording studio in Freiburg/Germany where Paul has recorded his last 6 albums since UNSUNG HEROES. He also engineered and produced albums in Recording Studios in Oslo, Berlin, Paris, Tokyo, New York. Additionally he engineered LIVE concerts all over the world.
While working there Ingo has recorded albums and engineered Live Concerts by other artists like MARCUS MILLER, MACEO PARKER, CHICO FREEMAN, AL DI MEOLA, NILS LANDGREN, CANDY DULFER and many others. He recently played on Paul’s recent albums including ”A LITTLE THUNDER” and tours regularly in Europe with Paul’s band.
Harmonica and guitar
Butch Coulter
Canadian Butch Coulter has been playing his virtuoso harmonica style in Blues and Roots music for the last 25 years all over the world. For fifteen years he was working with blues legend LONG JOHN BALDRY, and has also played with ALBERT COLLINS, JEFF HEALEY, JIMMY PAGE and MICK TAYLOR.
Since moving to Europe in the 90’s, he recorded two albums with the late LONG JOHN BALDRY and has appeared on all Paul’s albums since then, with his unique brand of harmonica and guitar styles. He and Paul are very often playing live concerts together and with the band, throughout Europe.

