Little Walter

USA, 1947–1968

American blues harmonica player (1930-1968), born Marion Jacobs. He played the harp through a cupped microphone and a cranked amplifier until it sounded like a saxophone, and turned an accompanying instrument into a lead one. 'Juke' went to number one in 1952.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Little Walter and 1 artist Little Walter influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Little Walter?

• Sonny Boy Williamson I — His mentor. John Lee Williamson made the harmonica a lead voice rather than an accompaniment; Walter took that and amplified it.
• Sonny Boy Williamson II — Rice Miller, whom he sat in with as a teenager on the way north — the second of the two Sonny Boys he learned the instrument from.
• Louis Jordan — The decisive one, and it is not a blues harmonica player at all. Walter learned Jordan's saxophone solos note for note on the harp — which is why his lines are fast, horn-shaped and unlike anyone else's.

Which artists did Little Walter influence?

• Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes — The first name on his own list, and the band is named after Little Walter's Jukes.