Carey Bell
| Carey Bell | |
|---|---|
Bell at the Long Beach Blues Festival, 2003
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Carey Bell Harrington |
| Born |
November 14, 1936 Macon, Mississippi, United States |
| Died | May 6, 2007 (aged 70) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Chicago blues, Harmonica blues, electric blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer |
| Instruments | Harmonica, bass, vocals |
| Years active | 1956–2007 |
| Labels | Delmark, Blind Pig, Alligator |
| Associated acts | Lurrie Bell, Willie Dixon, Louisiana Red |
Carey Bell (November 14, 1936 – May 6, 2007) was an American blues musician who played harmonica in the Chicago blues style. Bell played harmonica and bass guitar for other blues musicians in the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s before embarking on a solo career. Besides his own albums, he recorded as an accompanist or duo artist with Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, Lowell Fulson, Eddie Taylor, Louisiana Red and Jimmy Dawkins and was a frequent partner with his son, guitarist Lurrie Bell. Blues Revue called Bell "one of Chicago’s finest harpists." The Chicago Tribune said Bell was "a terrific talent in the tradition of Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter."
Bell was born Carey Bell Harrington in Macon, Mississippi. As a child, he was intrigued by the music of Louis Jordan and wanted a saxophone in order to be like his hero Jordan. His family could not afford one, so he had to settle for a harmonica, colloquially known as a "Mississippi saxophone." Soon Bell was attracted by the blues harmonica greats—DeFord Bailey, Big Walter Horton, Marion "Little Walter" Jacobs, Sonny Boy Williamson I and Sonny Boy Williamson II—and taught himself to play. By the time he was eight, he was proficient on the instrument. When he was thirteen, he joined the blues band of his godfather, the pianist Lovie Lee.
...
Wikipedia