News Release

Harmonica Master Carey Bell dies

PORTLAND, Ore. (May 7, 2007) -- We regret that blues harmonica master Carey Bell, who was scheduled to perform with his son Lurrie Bell at the 2007 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, has died. He was 70 years old. Our thoughts are with his son, Lurrie, who also recently lost his wife.

The following is an excerpt from Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter: "Born in Macon, Miss., in 1936, Carey Bell learned harmonica at an early age. He moved to Chicago to stay with his godfather, pianis Lovie Lee. While in Chicago, he befriended bot Little Walter and Big Walter Horton, who became major influences in his style. He worked in the bands of Johnny Young, Honeyboy Edwards, Earl Hooker, Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters early on in his Chicago career. Carrey's 1969 debut album, Blues Harp on Delmark Records showed him to be a brilliant singer and harmonica player with a unique mastery of the chromatic harmonica. This album elevated Carey beyond sideman status to that of a band leader. Three years later, he was featured on the Alligator releas Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell, which cemented his stature as one of the windy city's top harmonica men. Carey went on to record albums on other labels such as JSP, Blind Pig, ABC Bluesway and Rooster Blues. He also made great recordings as a cherished sideman with the greatest of Chicago Blues artist, including Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Eddie Clearwater, Eddie Taylor, Sunnyland Slim, Louisiana Red, Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, Eddie C. Campbell, Big Walter Horton, Lovie Lee and others. Carey also was a part of historic gathering called Harp Attack on Alligator Records. Carey and his son Lurrie  had just released a magnificent CD and DVD on Delmark Records called Gettin' Up, which will stand as the final work of his brilliant career."