George 'Harmonica' Smith

George "Harmonica" Smith (born Allen George Smith, April 22, 1924 – October 2, 1983) was an American electric blues harmonica player.

Life and career

Born in West Helena, Arkansas, United States, but brought up in Cairo, Illinois, he began playing professionally in 1951. He joined the Muddy Waters' band in 1954 and played intermittently with that group. He spent most of his life living on the West Coast of the United States.

Smith played with Bacon Fat a blues group before working with Big Mama Thornton in the 1970s. He played harmonica on her live album Jail in 1975.

George "Harmonica" Smith died in 1983, in Los Angeles, California at the age of 59.

Selected discography

• 2011: Teardrops Are Falling (Electro-Fi Records)
• 1993: Harmonica Ace Ace Records
• 1978: Harmonica Blues King Dobre Records DR1061