George Smith (musician)

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George "Harmonica" Smith, 1980

Allen George "Harmonica" Smith (born April 22, 1924 in West Helena , Arkansas , † October 2, 1983 in Los Angeles , California ) was an American blues harmonica player.

Life

He grew up in Cairo , Illinois . He received his first harmonica lessons from his mother, a guitarist. In 1941 he moved to Rock Island , where he played in a band. There is evidence that he was one of the first harmonica players to electrically amplify his instrument. In 1951 he started his professional music career. In 1954 he played in Muddy Waters ' Band as the successor to Henry Strong and the predecessor of James Cotton . In 1966 he played again in Waters Band.

After he decided to leave Chicago, he spent most of his adult life on the west coast of the United States . There he became a member of the blues band "Bacon Fat", where he promoted the harmonica player Rod Piazza and the guitarist Doug Macleod. William Clarke was one of his protégés who later made a career. He then joined Big Mama Thornton's band. With her he played the album Jail in 1975 , together with another of his harmonica students, William Clarke .

His admiration for the Little Walters style is palpable on the few solo albums that he recorded .

Discography

  • Blowin 'the Blues (1960) Pea Vine
  • Tribute to Little Walter (1968) Liberty
  • No Time for Jive (1970) Blue Horizon
  • Of the Blues (1973) CrossCut Records
  • Little George Smith (1991) Ace Records
  • Complete Blue Horizon Sessions (2006)
  • Now You Can Talk About Me (1998)
  • Harmonica Ace: The Modern Masters (1993)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Smith, George
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Smith, Allen George (full name); Smith, Harmonica (nickname)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American blues accordion player
DATE OF BIRTH April 22, 1924
PLACE OF BIRTH West Helena , Arkansas
DATE OF DEATH October 2nd 1983
Place of death Los Angeles , California