James Cotton

This week, we're listening to the James Cotton Superharp Band recorded at Sioux Falls Jazz Fest on July 26th, 2012. To say Cotton has had a remarkable career would be an understatement. He's been performing for nearly 70 years. and the story of his life is like a movie. The youngest of eight children to sharecropping parents in Mississippi, he started playing the harmonica as a very small child. He emulated the great Sonny Boy Williamson, whom he listened to on the radio. When Cotton was orphaned at 9 years old, Williamson adopted him, taking him on the road as they played every juke joint in Mississippi and Arkansas. Williamson gave up the road and gave his band to Cotton, who was much too young to be a leader. James Cotton sought out the legendary Howlin' Wolf and played with him for a while, then ended up in Memphis. He cut four records for the famed "Sun" label, and got his own radio show - he was only 17. Cotton played with the late great Muddy Waters for 12 years. After that, he opened for or played with Salmon Dave, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers, Santana, B.B. King, and many, many more.