Harmonica Blues

Along with the guitar, the harmonica remains the most popular blues instrument. Harmonicas were cheap, easy to handle, and fitted into any pocket. The first important recordings were made during the 1920s, and 1930s by artists like John Lee 'Sonny Boy' Williamson, Jazz Gillum, Sonny Terry, a.m.o. But it was Little Walter from Chicago who revolutionized the world of blues. The electric amplification of his instrument allowed him to develop a modern style of harmonica playing. Amongst the best-known harmonica players are Walter Horton, Snooky Pryor, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), James Cotton, Junior Wells, as well as several Southern artists like Frank Frost, Jerry McCain or Slim Harpo.