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James Cotton

James Cotton is one of the all-time greats of the blues harmonica, and one of the last of the original Chicago musicians who played and recorded some of the most exciting blues music ever. Cotton's harmonica virtuosity is amazing, recognized for the power and precision of his playing. Cotton and his harmonica are still blazing a trail through the music world and his legacy continues to grow with each passing year, a testament to this enduring Bluesman.

Born in Tunica, Mississippi, in 1935, Cotton fell under the spell of the legendary Sonny Boy Williamson at the tender age of nine and quickly became his protégé. Over the course of six years, Cotton lived, worked and traveled with Williamson, eventually assimilating many of his signature licks. Cotton was in Memphis in the early ‘50s and landed a gig with Howlin’ Wolf, recording “Saddle My Pony” at Sun Studios. His breakthrough “Cotton Crop Blues” was released in 1954, and not long after, he began his 12-year association with Muddy Waters, when Waters passed through town looking for a harp player. Cotton landed the gig, and worked with Muddy on the road and in the studio, recording many of the seminal Chess sessions.

When Cotton eventually left the Muddy Waters Band in 1966 to strike out on his own, he secured a contract with Verve and recorded four albums for them. With the Muddy Waters Band on his resume, Cotton was able to cross over into the burgeoning blues-rock market of the day. For the next three decades and beyond, Cotton recorded on various labels and covered countless miles of road, bringing his mix of Delta and urban blues to the masses on a first-hand basis, staying true to his roots despite never ending shifts in music fashion.

Cotton signed with Alligator Records and in ‘84 released the successful “High Compression.” His next album, “Live From Chicago...Mr. Superharp Himself!,” came out in 1986 and was his second album on Alligator.

In 1987, Blind Pig released “Take Me Back,” an album that returned Cotton to his roots and earned a Grammy nomination.

After signing with the Verve label in ’94 and releasing ”Living the Blues,” Cotton was awarded a Grammy for the 1996 album, “Deep in the Blues.”

“Baby, Don’t You Tear My Clothes,” was Cotton’s third solo release on the Telarc label. He joined the label in 2000 with the release of “Fire Down Under the Hill,” followed by “35th Anniversary Blues Jam,” two years later. In that time, he has also appeared on several blues compilations and tribute albums released on Telarc.

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Album Review

Various artists: Alligator Records: 50 Years of Genuine Houserockin’ Music

Read "Alligator Records: 50 Years of Genuine Houserockin’ Music" reviewed by Jim Trageser


Maybe this half-century commemoration of the jny: Chicago-based, blues-focused label should have been titled, “The Last of the Independents." Almost alone of the mid-major labels that formerly thrived in the 1980s and '90s by specializing in non-mainstream styles of music, Alligator has managed to navigate stunning changes in the music business--from the vinyl of LPs and 45s to cassettes and CDs, and then, most recently, the virtual collapse of the retail record business and wholesale pivot to online ...

152
Album Review

James Cotton: It Was A Very Good Year

Read "It Was A Very Good Year" reviewed by Jim Santella


Singing traditional blues, James Cotton captures the original foundation as it was created centuries ago. How many times have you been working hard all day long at some particular task and just felt like singing “It's been a hard journey, baby, but I don't have to cry no more." Cotton's original, “One More Mile," moves slow and emotional. He manages to interpret a field holler mood that gave rise to the blues long before worldwide acceptance. Cotton was 32 when ...

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Performance / Tour

Hamonica Master James Cotton to Perform in Galloway October 22

Hamonica Master James Cotton to Perform in Galloway October 22

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

Grammy Award-winning harmonica master James “Mr. Superharp" Cotton and his band will perform at the Stockton Performing Arts Center in Galloway on Monday, October 22, 2012. Cotton's latest CD, the Grammy-nominated Giant, is his long-awaited return to Alligator Records. Cotton, who in 2012 is celebrating his 68th year as a professional musician (starting at the age of nine), has recorded almost 30 solo albums, including two highly-regarded releases for Alligator in the 1980s and the famed Harp Attack! with Junior ...

105

Performance / Tour

James Cotton in Concert at Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday, September 23

James Cotton in Concert at Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday, September 23

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

Rockport Music is hosting legendary blues singer and harmonica player James “Superharp" Cotton in concert at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday, September 23, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. The show is presented by M.E. Productions. Tickets to the show are $29, $39 and $49 and can be purchased online. Born in Mississippi in 1935 Cotton was the youngest of eight brothers and sisters. He learned his music at the Baptist Church where his father Mose was a ...

133

Performance / Tour

Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King and James Cotton to Perform in Wilmington

Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King and James Cotton to Perform in Wilmington

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

SMOKIN' JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING AND JAMES COTTON TO PERFORM IN WILMINGTON! FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011 Event: Riverfront Blues Festival Venue: Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park—Main Stage Address: South French St. and Water St. Wilmington, DE Phone: 302-376-6298 Ticket price: $15-$50, children 12 and under free Website: www.riverfrontbluesfest.com *See website for complete festival line-up and detailed ticket information SMOKIN' JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING Showtime 6:45pm JAMES COTTON Showtime 8:30pm SMOKIN' JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING “Raucous, high-energy Texas roadhouse blues-rock. ...

157

Recording

One Track Mind: James Cotton and Billy Branch, "Rocket 88" (2011)

One Track Mind: James Cotton and Billy Branch, "Rocket 88" (2011)

Source: Something Else!

Like an aging boxer making an heroic late-round stand, James “Superharp" Cotton brilliantly tangles on a timeless favorite from his 1960s tenure with Vanguard, giving fellow harp master Billy Branch all he can handle. Even now, Cotton's playing style closely resembles his bandleading heyday—a memorably robust player, you imagine smoke and spit blasting out of the other side of his harmonica as he blows—but the 74-year-old has found both a suitable inheritor, and a worthy opponent, in Branch. Perhaps that's ...

248

Recording

James Cotton - Giant (Alligator, 2010)

James Cotton - Giant (Alligator, 2010)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland

A legend on the blues scene for many years, harmonica player James Cotton began his career as a member of the Muddy Waters Blues Band, and cut a series of great early singles for the Sun Records label. He's barely slowed down since, and even though health problem have caused him to cede the singing duties to others, his harmonica playing remains as boisterous and powerful as ever. Cotton is supported on this album by Slam Allen and Tom Holland ...

226

Festival

Blues Legend James Cotton Plays Miri International Jazz Festival, 14 - 15 May

Blues Legend James Cotton Plays Miri International Jazz Festival, 14 - 15 May

Source: Michael Ricci

CELEBRATING THE 5th MIRI INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL: MAY 14-15

The Miri International Jazz Festival (MIJF) 2010 promises to deliver another exciting event with a wide range of jazz genres lined up to entertain an expected eight thousand visitors to this town in the beautiful region of Sarawak, Malaysia.

Organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board the festival will be held at the Pavilion of Parkcity Everly Hotel in Miri on May 14 and 15, 2010. Festival goers will be treated to ...

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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Alligator Records: 50...

Alligator Records
2022

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Giant

Alligator Records
2010

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It Was A Very Good...

Just A Memory
2001

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