April
2003 Feature Story
James Cotton
Photo by Phil Chesnut
4/22 thru 4/27 @ Jazz Alley, Seattle (times in cal.).
by Phil Chesnut
Northwest blues fans are in for a special treat when the Superharp, James
Cotton, sets up for a week of pure Chicago Blues in Seattle. James Cotton's
blues roots run deeper than the Mississippi River and his blistering harmonica
sends chills through even the most jaded blues fan. From age seven, Cotton
was raised by the legendary Sonny Boy Williamson II as both son and protégé.
After fronting Sonny Boy's former band Cotton was picked up at age fifteen
by the Howlin' Wolf with whom he shared the stage for the next four years
before destiny knocked on his door and he was hired to replace harp god
Little Walter in the mythical Muddy Waters Band. During the next 12 years,
Cotton's hard-driving, powerful harmonica was the counterbalance to Muddy's
amazing slide guitar. But with his stage presence and strong vocals, along
with that amazing harp, Cotton's destiny was clearly to front his own
band. For the last 36 years James Cotton and various incarnations of his
band have toured the world, mesmerizing blues fans wherever he goes. With
numerous Handy Awards and a Grammy nomination, Cotton has proved his worth.
After a bout with throat cancer a few years ago his voice isn't what it
used to be but his harp is stronger than ever. This was shown on his latest
Handy nominated album Fire Under The Hill on the Telarc label, which is
a celebration of 35 years of the James Cotton Band. Cotton always fields
a band loaded with world-class blues talent--Darrell Nulisch & Rico
McFarland both know James Cotton is one of our greatest living blues treasures.
To any blues fan his shows can't be missed.
Back
to Contents of Archive
© 
2002
|