George "Harmonica" Smith
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George "Harmonica" Smith (April 22, 1924 – October 2, 1983[1]) (born Allen George Smith) was an American blues harmonica player. He was also known as 'the master of the chromatic blues harmonica'.
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[edit] Life and career
Born in West Helena, Arkansas, but brought up in Cairo, Illinois, he began playing professionally in 1951.[2] He was recruited to join Muddy Waters' band in 1954, making his presence between the short-lived Henry Strong, and James Cotton.[2] He would rejoin Waters in 1966.[2] He eventually made the decision to leave Chicago, and spent much of his adult life on the West Coast of America.[2]
Smith played with the blues combo, Bacon Fat, and tutored its harmonica player Rod Piazza, and mentored guitarist Doug Macleod, before joining forces with Big Mama Thornton in the 1970s.[2] He appeared on her album Jail (1975), and with another harmonica student William Clarke.[2]
The few solo albums he recorded in his life reflected his admiration for the playing style of Little Walter.[2]
George "Harmonica" Smith died in 1983, in Los Angeles, California at the age of 59.[1]
[edit] Notable album
- Harmonica Ace - Ace Records[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Allmusic.com - accessed May 2009
- ^ a b c d e f g h Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. pp. 167. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
