George "Harmonica" Smith

George "Harmonica" Smith (born Allen George Smith, April 22, 1924 – October 2, 1983)[1] was an American electric blues harmonica player.[2] Apart from his solo recordings, Smith is best known for his work backing both Muddy Waters and Big Mama Thornton.

George "Harmonica" Smith in 1980

Life and career

Born in West Helena, Arkansas, United States, but brought up in Cairo, Illinois, he began playing professionally in 1951.[3] He joined the Muddy Waters' band in 1954 and played intermittently with that group.[3] He spent most of his life living on the West Coast of the United States.[3]

Smith played with Bacon Fat, a blues group, before working with Big Mama Thornton in the 1970s.[3] He played harmonica on her live album Jail in 1975.[3]

George "Harmonica" Smith died in 1983, in Los Angeles, California at the age of 59.[1]

Selected discography

With Otis Spann

With the Super Black Blues Band: T-Bone Walker, Otis Spann and Joe Turner

References
  1. Michael Erlewine. "George "Harmonica" Smith | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  2. Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
  3. Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 167. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  4. "George "Harmonica" Smith* - ...Of The Blues". Discogs. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  5. "George Smith (4) - No Time For Jive". Discogs. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  6. "George "Harmonica" Smith* - Arkansas Trap". Discogs. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  7. "George Smith (4) - Blowin' The Blues". Discogs. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  8. "George "Harmonica" Smith discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  9. "George "Harmonica" Smith* - Boogie'n With George". Discogs. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  10. Larry Hoffman. "Harmonica Ace: The Modern Masters - George "Harmonica" Smith | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  11. Live recordings from 1983 at Chuy's in Tempe, Arizona.
  12. "Teardrops Are Falling - George "Harmonica" Smith | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  13. "George "Harmonica" Smith - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
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