ArtistInfo

James Cotton

h, voc, *1935 US, Tunica, Mississippi
Singer / Musician / Songwriter of Blues
A.k.a. James Henry Cotton Joe "Denim"

James Cotton (born July 1, 1935) is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who has performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time as well as with his own band. He played drums early in his career but is famous for his harmonica playing. Cotton began his professional career playing the blues harp in Howlin' Wolf's band in the early 1950s. He made his first recordings in Memphis for Sun Records under the direction of Sam Phillips. In 1955, he was recruited by Muddy Waters to come to Chicago and join his band. Cotton became Waters's bandleader and stayed with the group until 1965. In 1965 he formed the Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet, with Otis Spann on piano, to record between gigs with Waters's band. He eventually left Waters to form his own full-time

Instruments

• Harmonica
• Vocals
• Harp

Genres

• Blues
• R&B/Soul
• Rock

Plays With