Carey Bell American musician Date of Birth: 14.11.1936 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Influences
2. Move to Chicago and Mentorship
3. Career and Recognition
4. Landmark Collaborations and Solo Success
5. Later Career and Legacy

Early Life and Influences

Carey Bell Harrington, known as Carey Bell, was born in Mason, Mississippi. Raised in a poor family, he was drawn to music at a young age, particularly the saxophone of Louis Jordan. However, he could not afford one, so he turned to the "Mississippi saxophone" - the blues harmonica.

Influenced by blues harmonica greats like DeFord Bailey, Big Walter Horton, Little Walter Jacobs, and Sonny Boy Williamson I and II, Bell taught himself to play. By age eight, he was already proficient. He joined his godfather's blues band, led by pianist Lovie Lee, at age 13.

Move to Chicago and Mentorship

In 1956, Lee convinced Bell to relocate to Chicago, the hub of blues. He soon met his idol, Little Walter, at the Zanzibar club and became his apprentice. To enhance his employability, Bell also learned to play bass guitar from Hound Dog Taylor.

Bell continued to hone his harmonica skills under the tutelage of Sonny Boy Williamson II and Big Walter Horton, who also invited him to play in their bands. From these blues masters, Bell absorbed valuable knowledge and prepared to launch his own musical career.

Career and Recognition

Despite the patronage of harmonica giants, Bell's arrival in Chicago coincided with a decline in demand for harmonica players. He supplemented his income by playing bass guitar with Big Walter, continuing to take lessons on his beloved "Mississippi saxophone." Eventually, he dropped the bass and focused solely on the harmonica.

Bell made his London debut at the Royal Albert Hall on October 3, 1969. His first solo record, "Carey Bell's Blues Harp," was released by Delmark Records in 1969. He went on to perform with Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon in the All-Stars of Chicago Blues project.

In 1978, he contributed to Alligator Records' Grammy-nominated album "Living Chicago Blues." Throughout the 1980s, Bell continued to record but primarily focused on live performances.

Landmark Collaborations and Solo Success

In the 1990s, Bell teamed up with Junior Wells, James Cotton, and Billy Branch for the acclaimed album "Harp Attack!" Released by Alligator Records, it became one of their most successful efforts. Despite years of collaboration with Alligator, Bell's first full-length solo album, "Deep Down," was only released in 1995.

"Good Luck Man" (1997) and "Second Nature" (2004), recorded with his son Larry, further cemented his reputation as a blues legend. In 1998, Bell received the Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Male Artist.

Later Career and Legacy

Delmark Records released a studio album in 2007, featuring Bell accompanied by his son Larry, Scott Cable, Kenny Smith, Bob Stroger, and Joe Thomas. Carey Bell died of heart failure in Chicago on May 6, 2007, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential Chicago blues harmonica players of all time.