James Cotton

James Cotton
James Cotton
	James Cotton 2007
Background information
Born	July 1, 1935; Tunica, Mississippi, United States
Died	March 16, 2017 (aged 81); Austin, Texas, United States
Genres	Blues, Chicago blues, Delta blues, Electric blues, Jazz, Memphis blues, Rock
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Vocals, harmonica, drums
Years active	1953–2017
Labels	Buddah Records; Alligator Records; Telarc International
Associated acts	Muddy Waters; Howlin' Wolf; Matt Murphy; Pat Hare
Website	Official website

James "Jimmy" Cotton (July 1, 1935 – March 16, 2017), was an American blues harmonica player, singer, and songwriter. He was an orphan.

Career

Cotton first became interested in playing music when he heard Sonny Boy Williamson on the radio. He left his home to find Sonny Boy Williamson, and when he found him (in West Helena, Arkansas), Williamson took him in and raised him. Blues singer Bobby Bland was his half-brother.^[3]

First band

Cotton first began playing the blues harp in Williamson's band, called Howlin Wolf's. After one gig, Sonny Boy quit the band to live with his wife in Milwaukee. He left the band in Cotton's hands. Cotton said, "He just gave it to me. But I couldn't hold it together 'cause I was too young and crazy in those days an' everybody in the band was grown men, so much older than me."

Later career

Cotton started working with the Muddy Waters Band in 1955. He performed songs like "I Got My Mojo Working" and "She's Nineteen Years Old". After leaving Muddy's band in 1966, Cotton toured with Janis Joplin. Alone, Cotton wrote classic songs like "Cotton Crop Blues", "Rocket 88" and "Hold Me In Your Arms". He formed the James Cotton Blues Band in 1967. They performed all of Cotton's classics and more.

Death

Cotton died at a medical center in Austin, Texas from pneumonia on March 16, 2017 at the age of 81.^[4]

Awards

Cotton played harmonica on Muddy Water's Grammy Award winning 1977 album Hard Again. James Cotton's band would also get nominated for two Grammy Awards. The first one was for his 1984 release, Live From Chicago: Mr. Superharp Himself!. His second for Take Me Back.