mjzee Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Blues harmonica legend James Cotton has died of pneumonia. A rep for the 81-year-old music star confirmed he passed away at St David’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas on Thursday. More here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4322196/Blues-Harmonica-legend-Mr-Superharp-James-Cotton-dies.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Ptah Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 I saw him live in a very compelling night of music on July 3, 1980. No one had to go to work the next day and it was a wild crowd and an inspired musical performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medjuck Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 (edited) I danced to him at the El Mocambo in Toronto, a rock club where I also saw Mingus. I think I took it all too much for granted. Edited March 17, 2017 by medjuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffcrom Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Aw, man. I hate hearing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Nelson Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 In Feb.1969, two sets by the James Cotton Blues Band provided me with my first night-out gig. I was 15 and my parents had dropped me off at the Univ. of Rhode Island. Cotton was performing as the opener of a Verve Forecast show with Richie Havens as headliner. As Havens was 90-minutes late, it gave every member of Cotton's band -- including the roadie -- an opportunity to stretch. Cotton was a great leader and kept me riveted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 NY Times obituary: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/16/arts/music/james-cotton-dead-blues-harmonica-great.html I heard him playing live twice. The most memorable was with Muddy's band at Carnegie Hall in 1965. RIP, Mr. Cotton. And thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Brown Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 (edited) I can remember seeing James Cotton at the First Floor Club here in Toronto when he was still a sideman with Muddy Waters. It was a great performance with Muddy and all the members of his band - including Otis Spann and Little Willie Smith - in great form. This was back when musicians, even those in blues bands, wore tuxedos when performing. It was interesting to watch Cotton who often ended up on his back on the stage floor, wildly kicking his feet in the air while lustily blowing his harmonica. As Dan Morgenstern once said about an Illinois Jacquet JATP performance, "Yes, but it was visceral." (I shudder to think of Cotton's dry cleaning bill. At the end of the evening the back of his tuxedo was white with several inches of dust and dirt from the stage floor.) Edited March 17, 2017 by Don Brown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Wow. Another loss. RIP Mr. Cotton. Thanks for the music you left us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Ptah Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 I also heard Cotton live around 2000 at an outdoor festival. His harmonica playing was as great as ever. He had some throat surgery, from cancer I believe, and his voice was very hoarse. It was still great to hear him though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulpope Posted March 18, 2017 Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 R.I.P .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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