James Cotton

Longtime blues man James Cotton cut his teeth playing mouth harp with Sonny Boy Williamson at the tender age of 9 in the Mississippi Delta. His blues harmonica has influenced rock legends such as Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead. He was the main harmonica player for Howlin' Wolf and...

By Jonathan Cunningham

March 13, 2008

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Longtime blues man James Cotton cut his teeth playing mouth harp with Sonny Boy Williamson at the tender age of 9 in the Mississippi Delta. His blues harmonica has influenced rock legends such as Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead. He was the main harmonica player for Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters before all three were famous. He's recorded dusty albums at Nashville's Sun Records, shined shoes on Beale Street, and played every juke joint between Natchez and Chicago. South Florida blues lovers should be delighted by this true blast from the past.

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