Mervyn “Harmonica” Hinds
“Harmonica” Hinds played harmonica on John Primer’s first U.S. release, Stuff You Got to Watch, on the Earwig Music label, released in 1992.
Harmonica Hinds is a bluesman who remains largely unknown outside of his home town of Chicago, despite his excellent session work for John Primer, Koko Taylor and others. Harmonica Hinds has been performing in the Chicago area since the early 1970s, when the legendary Theresa’s Lounge was his home base. He and Junior Wells shared the duty of harmonica player in the club’s house band. His electric band, with Hinds playing harmonica, has that driving, gutsy sound characteristic of Chicago Blues. He also does solo shows on banjo, harmonica, percussion and vocals, and harmonica/guitar duets.
Born Mervyn H.G. Hinds on January 4, 1945, in Trinidad, he moved from there to Canada, where he was first captivated with blues harmonica when he saw Sonny Terry play. He received his first music lesson on the street from Lafayette Leake while living in Toronto. While he was studying sociology at Carleton University in Ottawa, James Cotton invitedhim to Chicago. He was also encouraged by New Orleans musicians David Lastie and George Porter.
In the mid-1980s, he settled permanently in Chicago. He shared the stage with and played on albums by many great blues artists for more than five decades. He made his first recording in 2008, and further recordings in 2010 and 2012. He played on the album Muddy Waters: The Hoochie Coochie Man, produced in 1984, and on albums for many other blues artists, including Koko Taylor, Eddie Taylor, and Mud Morganfield, and has appeared on stage with many blues greats, including Pinetop Perkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Louisiana Red, Willie Dixon, Magic Slim and Willie Kent.
Hinds has worked as a blues musician for more than five decades. Described as one of the most talented Chicago blues musicians, he remains active on the Chicago blues scene with his own shows and often performs with Eddie Taylor. He continues to play a regular gig at Buddy Guy’s Legends, and has performed at many of the Chicago Blues Festivals.
Source: wikipedia
