SUGAR BLUE

James Whiting, 16 December 1949, New York City, New York, USA. Born into a showbusiness family, Sugar Blue began playing harmonica as a child and by his mid-teens was an accomplished and assured performer. He sat in with acknowledged blues masters and held his own, leading to invites to appear on record with artists such as Victoria Spivey, Louisiana Red, Johnny Shines, and Washboard Bill. In the mid-70s Whiting spent some time in Europe, playing in Paris and also appearing on several Rolling Stones’ albums, including Some Girls (1978), on which he played notably on ‘Miss You’, and Tattoo You (1981). During this spell he also played on a jazz date with Stan Getzat the Palm Beach Casino, Cannes, in the south of France in January 1980. He can be heard with Getz as well as Joe Farrell and Paul Horn on a performance of ‘Billie’s Bounce’ that appears on some Getz collections. He also made a rather rare LP that appeared under the names of Sugar Blue And Gayle Moran. Back in the USA, Sugar Blue settled in Chicago where he became a regular on the local blues club circuit. He was also signed to Alligator Records for whom he made a number of critically acclaimed albums. A good singer and an exceptionally talented harmonica player, he returned to the edges of the jazz world in the early 90s, recording in Athens, Greece, with keyboard players Gil Goldstein, Jim Beard and Apostolos Anthimos and drummer Paul Wertico on Days We Can’t Forget (1993). Also in the 90s he recorded with Tony Z, Get Down With The Blues (1995) in a band that also included tenor saxophonist Houston Person, guitarist Duke Robillard, bass player Johnny B. Gayden and drummer Bernard Purdie. His other 90s recording sessions included work with Lonnie Brooks and Paul Oscher. This versatile artist is held in high regard by musicians from diverse genres.