Blues Bytes: Bob Corritore Review

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Harmonica Blues (Delta Groove Music) marks Bob Corritore’s 40th anniversary as a harmonica player. Corritore’s life was changed when, as a 12 year old, he heard Muddy Waters on the radio. Within a year, he was playing harmonica and stocking up on blues records. He got his start backing John Henry Davis on Maxwell Street, and hung out with harp players like Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, Little Mack Simmons, Louis Myers, and Junior Wells, learning from each and every one of them. In the late ’70s/early ’80s, he produced recordings for artists like Little Willie Anderson and Big Leon Brooks before heading south to Phoenix.

In Phoenix, Corritore made his mark as a performer (with Big Pete Peterson, Chico Chism, Janiva Magness, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, among others), a radio show host (“These Lowdown Blues” on KJZZ since 1984), and a club owner (the Rhythm Room, since 1991). Over time, Corritore and his band would back many great blues artists on shows and recording sessions. He’s released many of these performances on some outstanding collections since 1999 for various labels. Harmonica Blues captures 15 fantastic performances recorded over the past couple of decades, teaming Corritore with an all-star cast of blues legends.

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