b. January 31, 1944 in Kosciusko, MS. Musselwhite grew up in Memphis where he was inspired to learn harmonica by hearing Sonny Terry on the radio. In 1962, he moved to Chicago, performing with Johnny Young, Big Joe Williams and J.B. Hutto. He also linked up with another white blues musician, Mike Bloomfield, before the latter went on to join Paul Butterfield's group. Musselwhite then emigrated to California, making his first solo recordings for Vanguard Records. From 1974-75 he made two albums for Chris Strachwitz's Arhoolie Records and later cut an instructional record for Stefan Grossman's Kickin' Mule. A growing reputation made Musselwhite a favourite on the festival circuits in the USA and Europe. The 1986 release Mellow Dee was recorded during a German tour while Cambridge Blues (1988) was recorded live at Britain's leading folk festival for Mike Vernon's Blue Horizon Records.
In 1990, Musselwhite joined Alligator Records, where John Lee Hooker guested on the following year's studio album. During this decade and into the new millennium, Musselwhite recorded albums for the PointBlank and Telarc labels, including a 1999 collaboration with James Cotton, Billy Branch and Sugar Ray Norcia. Although heavily influenced by Little Walter, Louis Myers and Junior Wells, Musselwhite has made his own niche and is probably today's most popular white blues harmonica player.
