George Harmonica Smith
April 22, 1924 – Oct 2, 1983
This highly influential harmonica player would become a stylistic template for West Coast harmonica players. Born in West Helena, Arkansas, George would land in Chicago and Kansas City before making California is permanent home. In addition to his great recordings as a singer and frontman, he was also a prominent sideman making records with Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, Little Johnny Taylor, Jesse Thomas, Champion Jack Dupree, Eddie Taylor, Lonesome Sundown, T-Bone Walker and Sunnyland Slim. He was a teacher and father figure to Rod Piazza and William Clarke. Please enjoy these wonderful photos of this great harmonica player!
Early promotional photo, courtesy of Edith de Ronde.
George Harmonica Smith, Ann Arbor Blues Festival, 1970. Photo by Jeff Titon.
Big Mama Thornton and George Harmonica Smith, Ann Arbor Blues Festival, 1970.
George Harmonica Smith being interviewed backstage at the 1970 Ann Arbor Blues Festival.
George Harmonica Smith, 1975. Photo Norbert Hess.
Rod Piazza and his teacher George Harmonica Smith! Killer photo courtesy of Sonny Burnett.
Buddy Reed and George Harmonica Smith.
William Clarke and George Harmonica Smith! Photo Bill Mead.
George Harmonica Smith. Photo by James Harman.
George Harmonica Smith, king of Chromatic harmonica!
George Harmonica Smith. Photo by Erik Lindahl.
George Harmonica Smith and Johnny Dollar. Photo Brigitte Charvolin courtesy Soul Bag Magazine.
George Harmonica Smith! Blowin’ The Blues! Photo by Martin Feldmann.
George Harmonica Smith, November 15th, 1980 at The Blues Estafette at Vredenburg, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Photo by Rien Wisse/Block Magazine Archives.
George Smith photos, courtesy of Sonny Burnett.
George Harmonica Smith and his protégé William Clarke.
George Harmonica Smith with Doug McLeod on the guitar. Photo by Hans Ekestang.
George Harmonica Smith and Doug McLeod. Photo Pertti Nurmi, 1982.
Photo of George Harmonica Smith by Erik Lindahl.
George Harmonica Smith gave this concert brochure to Bob Corritore in 1983.
George Harmonica Smith poster, courtesy of Al Blake.
George Harmonica Smith was known to false advertise himself under the names of more famous harmonica players such as Little Walter or Jimmy Reed! Charlie Lange once told the story of passing by a club that said Jimmy Reed Tonight! When he went to the show, it was actually George Harmonica Smith. During the break, Charlie went up to George and said “You sound really great but you’re not Jimmy Reed.” George responded by saying “Shhhhh.”
Here is a tour poster for “Harmonica“ George Smith designed by the Stockholm Blues Society. I assume that SBS had arranged a tour and created these posters for on site advertising. The poster is signed by George and the rest of the band. This poster comes courtesy Egidio Juke Ingala.
Poster courtesy Bart van Lienden.
George Harmonica Smith on the cover of Jefferson Magazine from Sweden! Cover photo by Erik Lindahl. Thank you Birgitta Larsson for the magazine.
Funeral program for George Harmonica Smith.
Bob Corritore - Official Website 