Little Walter Jacobs   (1930-1968)

Marion Walter Jacobs, best known as “Little Walter” was a Chicago Blues singer, songwriter, and virtuoso harmonica player.  He is considered “the king of all the post-war blues harpists.”

Walter was raised in Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  After quitting school at age 12, he honed his musical skills playing guitar and harmonica with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Sunnyland Slim, and Honeyboy Edwards.

Walter moved to Chicago in 1946, and while playing with local bands became frustrated that his harmonica was being drown out by electric guitars.  He solved the problem by cupping his hands and harmonica around a small microphone and plugging into a guitar amplifier—thus becoming the first harmonica player to employ the sonic benefits of electronic distortion.

Walter joined Muddy Waters’ band in 1948 and appeared on many recordings by Chess Records artists.  Walter’s 1952 recording of “Juke” remains the only harmonica instrumental to reach #1 on Billboard’s R&B charts to this day.

Little Walter’s harmonica playing influenced many practitioners including Junior Wells, James Cotton, Kim Wilson, and Paul Butterfield.