James Cotton
New York City
1969
 
By Michael Friedman
 
This is a photograph of James “Superharp” Cotton. James was a harmonica virtuoso and played with Muddy Waters in Chicago before forming the Jimmy Cotton Blues Band in 1965 with Otis Spann on piano.
 
Friedman recounts: "James and I were walking in the Hell’s Kitchen area of New York one day.  We stopped to look at the ships that were in port.  I caught this shot of James when he sat down on one of the large tie-up pilings, pulled out his harp and started playing the blues.  He was one of the most talented and nicest guys I ever worked with."