File Photo - JAMES COTTON has passed away at 81. James Henry Cotton (July 1, 1935 - March 16, 2017) was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time and with his own band. Cotton began his professional career playing the blues harp in Howlin Wolf s band in the early 1950s. He made his first recordings in Memphis for Sun Records. In 1955, he was recruited by M. Waters to come to Chicago and join his band. Cotton became Waters s bandleader and stayed with the group until 1965. n 1965 he formed the Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet, with O. Spann on piano, to record between gigs with Waters s band. He eventually left Waters to form his own full-time touring group. In the 1970s, Cotton played harmonica on Waters s Grammy AwardÐwinning 1977 album Hard Again, produced by Johnny Winter. Pictured - ZUMAm78_ 20170316_shq_m78_739