Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

Grammy winner, Blues Hall of Famer, inductie in the Smithsonian Institute, and a recipient of countless W.C. Handy Blues Awards
James Cotton & Band
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sid Williams Theatre, 442 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay BC
Doors 6:30pm - Show 7:30pm
...Tickets: $48.50 Advance + s/c / $51 Door
TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 10
Available at: Sid Williams Theatre Ticket Centre 442 Cliffe Ave., by phone 250-338-2430 or online at http://www.sidwilliamstheatre.com/

and....

Grammy winner, Blues Hall of Famer, inductie in the Smithsonian Institute, and a recipient of countless W.C. Handy Blues Awards
James Cotton & Band
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo BC
Doors 7:00pm - Show 8:00pm
Tickets: $37.50-$42.50 Advance + s/c - TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 10
Available at: Port Theatre Ticket Centre 125 Front St., by phone 250-754-8550 or online at http://www.porttheatre.com/

James Cotton website: http://www.jamescottonsuperharp.com/

The musical pedigree of James “Superharp” Cotton consists of a veritable who’s who in the world of the Blues. He’s a Grammy winner, an inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame, the Smithsonian Institute, and a recipient of countless W.C. Handy Blues Awards.

An orphan at the age of nine, he was raised in Mississippi by his mentor, Sonny Boy Williamson, who remains famous for his many unique songs and innovative Delta Blues harmonica style. As a young teenager Cotton befriended Howlin’ Wolf and joined forces with him playing Mississippi and Arkansas juke joints for two years. During that time Cotton hosted his
own afternoon radio show in West Memphis, AR and also recorded “Cotton Crop Blues” and three other songs on Sun Records in Memphis. In 1954 when Muddy Waters needed a harmonica player, he found Cotton playing a club in Arkansas and took him to Chicago. Cotton remained a member of Waters band for 12 years not only playing shows but also recording with him on Chess Records. One of the highlights of that period came when Cotton arranged the ever-popular anthem of the blues, “Got My Mojo Workin’, “ which was played for the first time by the Muddy Waters Band at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1961.

In 1966 Cotton formed the James Cotton Blues Band. His 1974 album, 100% Cotton, began the crossover funk, rock- oriented sound that is the contemporary Chicago Blues. The band continues to showcase his immense talent which is defined by his signature unmatched harmonica tone combined with a drummer’s acute sense of time and rhythm. At age 75 he is still a force to be reckoned with. He’s one of the most sought-after, hard-driving, seminal blues musicians touring the world today.

He has shared the stage with B.B. King, Santana, Steve Miller, Johnny Winter, the Allman Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Sam and Dave, the Grateful Dead, ad infinitum. He is the only musician alive today who has played with Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin’ Wolf, and Muddy Waters.

Cotton passionately explains, ”My audience always tells me how I’m doing. If I look out there and don’t like what I see, I work harder.” After all these years his audience has become part of his family, still standing, and enjoying his performances as much as he does. You will have a memorable evening with an international treasure and a true Living Legend of the Blues.

2010 is Cotton’s 66th year in the entertainment business. What an amazing adventure “Superharp” is experiencing with his little harmonica.