The DC Traveler

James Cotton
Harmonica Bluesman

Growing up the son of a Mississippi cotton farmer and Baptist preacher, James Cotton learned to play harmonica from his mother before he was old enough to work the fields.

By the age of nine he was playing in the juke joints across Mississippi and Arkansas with harmonica legend, Sonny Boy Williamson. Since he was too young to get into the juke joints, he was Sonny Boy’s opening act and played for tips outside the front door. After Williamson abandoned his band, Cotton headed to the “Home of the Blues” - Beale Street in Memphis where he continued to play for tips on the street.

One night, he heard Howlin’ Wolf, the legendary bluesman was playing at a local club. After an all-night jam session, they partnered up and toured the blues joints across the South.

In 1950, at the age of 15, he recorded his first four songs. Within two years, he had his own 15-minute radio show on a Memphis radio station. He supported himself playing weekend gigs and driving an ice truck during the week. One weekend evening he met the father of Chicago blues, Muddy Waters and was asked to join his band to replace another famous bluesman, Junior Wells.

Cotton played with Muddy for 12 years, and in 1961, the band played The Newport Jazz Festival where Cotton played his now famous Got My Mojo Working harmonica solo.

Cotton formed his own band in 1965 and has been touring ever since. He’s opened for Janis Joplin, performed with or opened for rock icons including Led Zeppelin, The Grateful Dead, Santana and Steve Miller.

See this blues legend and “get your mojo working” at Blues Alley.

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC, 20007
202-337-4141

Date and Times – Friday, April 13 – Sunday, April 15, two shows nightly at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Club Hours - 6:00 p.m. until about 12:30 a.m. nightly

Tickets – available online - $25.00, plus a $10 minimum per person.

Parking - Street parking is available but can be tough. There are several garages close by, including across the street from Blues Alley at The Shops at Georgetown Park. The fee for parking for over 4 hours is around $12.00.

Nearest Metro subway station - Foggy Bottom station - Orange line, then about a mile walk or take the Circulator using the Georgetown – Union Station route.

Photo credits: Harmonica - flickr,
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