SThe iconic harmonica man James Cotton passed in 2017 at the age of 81. Cotton’s considered by most the last great harp titan of the generation that produced Little Walter (who James replaced in Muddy Waters Band), Sonny Boy Williamson 2 (who raised Cotton from 12 years old), Jr Wells, Big Walter and many more. James’ career spanned more than six plus decades and put him on the map of All Time Blues Greats! The James Cotton Blues Band is Rico McFarland, Tom Holland (guitars), Cros Charles Mack (bass), Mark Mack (drums) plus Mark Hummel playing and singing James’s role as front man. Hummel produces The Blues Harmonica Blowouts (Mayall, Musselwhite, Huey Lewis, Lee Oskar, Magic Dick) for 30 years that featured Cotton on seven national tours as part of that event. James commented, “Mark is all about the music.” Mark has a Grammy nom in 2013 and two Blues Music Awards, and 30 albums to his credit.
