James Cotton, R.I.P.

[mjzee]

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

[Hot Ptah]

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.

[medjuck]

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

[jeffcrom]

Aw, man. I hate hearing this.

 

[Bill Nelson]

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.

[paul secor]

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.

[Don Brown]

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

[Hardbopjazz]

Wow. Another loss. RIP Mr. Cotton. Thanks for the music you left us.

[Hot Ptah]

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.

[soulpope]

R.I.P ....