Walter Hand began his love for music at the age of ten when he won the elementary school talent show impersonating Jerry Lee Lewis with Great Balls of Fire. He bought his first Hohner harmonica at thirteen, and around the same time played saxophone with the school band.  In school Walter learned the technical fundamentals of music theory, but at home with his harmonica is where he learned to express himself and really feel the music.  In 1970, after two years in the army, Walter joined the choir at Contra Costa College, while taking voice training and singing with a barbershop quartet.  Still playing his sax, Walter hooked up with good friend John Doukas, lead singer for the rock group Earthquake. They played local clubs, like Keystone, Long Branch Saloon, and Bimbos, along with local colleges like UC Berkeley's Sproul Plaza and Contra Costa College. 

Walter got a real job as a Merchant Marine from 1975 to 1985 but  would still practice his harmonica when at sea.  From 1985 to 1990 he pursued his music playing the jazz on tenor sax, performing with the Jazz Band for the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. From 1990 to 1995 Walter went out on his own to play the blues, bringing his vocal and harmonica stylings to the open mics at the many Bay Area blues clubs, singing and playing with such Bay Area notables as Larry James, Stave Gannon, Tommy Castro, Freddie Hughes, Rick Kellogg, Raymond Victor, Lucky Strikes Richard Milam, J. J. Woods and the Blues Commandos, and many other great musicians.  In 1995, Walter formed his own band, Walter Hand and The Blue Hand Band, playing many local venues, and hosting the Open Mic at Fantasy's Lounge. 

From 2002-2004 Walter was frontman/lead vocalist for local band Wall of Blues.  While continuing to play with local artists like Freddie Roulette and the legendary Harvey Mandel, Walter resurrected The Blue Hand Band in 2004, continuing to the present date, playing local venues and beyond, including benefit concerts for the United Servicemens Organization (USO) and the annual Homeless Veterans Benefit in Sacramento.  All the while Walter has been working hard to put The Blue Hand Band on the map alongside those other Bad Ass Blues Men .

Paul Staubus has handled keyboard duties in numerous Bay Area bands for years, playing piano, organ, clavinet and synths of all kinds.  Born in Oakland, Paul was originally trained in classical music under noted concert pianist Lois Cassel Evans. After relocating to London, England, Paul shifted from the classical material to contemporary music, meaning rock and, particularly, blues. During this time Paul worked with legendary British producer Clive Langer (David Bowie, Elvis Costello, and many others). Upon his return to the US, Paul continued developing musically, playing rock, blues, R&B and funk with various bands, and generally having a lot of fun doing it.  Paul and Walter originally met in the 90's, with Paul playing in Walter's band for a couple of years at the time.  Paul is happy to be back in the fold, doing his thing and playing those keys in his own inimitable style!
 

MP3s on Music page feature Walter and Paul with past members of The Blue Hand Band.

Current lineup:

Walter Hand - Vocals, Sax, Harmonica

Gig Edwards - Guitar, Vocals

Paul Staubus - Keyboards

Bill Thompson - Bass

Rob Egashira - Drums

Key guest players (featured in videos on Music page):

Tony Archimedes - Keyboards, Sax

  
Please check back soon...we're still working on this page!...and while you wait - come see Walter Hand and the Blue Hand Band at one of their upcoming shows.,.. check the Dates page or call Walter now for info at (510) 233-2732.