Smoky Greenwell

Biography

Smoky Greenwell, born on July 4, 1951, in Michigan and raised in Delaware, is a renowned American blues harmonica player, saxophonist, singer, and songwriter. He was educated in Spain and Tennessee, and began his musical journey in earnest in the mid-1970s, learning harmonica by sitting in with legendary blues musicians such as Furry Lewis, Piano Red, and Mose Vincent. Greenwell's early career included session work at the iconic Sun Studios in Memphis and a move to Nashville in the 1980s, where he gained national attention as a member of the Blues Co-Op alongside Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes. His long-standing collaboration with Allman Brothers keyboardist Johnny Neel also began during this period.[1][3][6]

In 1981, Greenwell relocated to New Orleans after a performance at the Old Absinthe Bar, immersing himself in the city's vibrant music scene. Over the next three decades, he became a fixture in New Orleans blues, fronting his own band and performing with numerous local legends such as Snooks Eaglin, Marc Adams, and Eddie Bo. Greenwell is perhaps best known for his role as Lee Oskar's replacement in the seminal band WAR, where he performed with Harold Brown, BB Dickerson, and Howard Scott. His musical style blends traditional blues with elements of jazz, rock, and Louisiana roots music, reflecting the diverse influences of his adopted home.[1][2][4][7]

Greenwell's legacy includes a prolific recording career, with over a dozen solo albums and a reputation as a first-call session player. He is also recognized as an educator, having produced a widely used harmonica course and mentored countless musicians. His contributions to blues harmonica and the New Orleans music community have made him a respected figure among peers and fans alike.[1][2][3]

Fun Facts

• Smoky Greenwell replaced Lee Oskar as the harmonica player in the legendary band WAR.
• His harmonica instructional course, released in 1984, has sold over 22,000 copies and is used in schools.
• Greenwell's song '99% Blues' became an anthem for the Occupy movement in New York and Philadelphia.
• He has lived in New Orleans since 1981, becoming a mainstay of the local blues scene for over 30 years.

Associated Acts

• The Smoky Greenwell Band - original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Furry Lewis - Early blues mentor; Greenwell learned harmonica by sitting in with him (Live performances in the 1970s) [mid-1970s]
• Piano Red - Early blues mentor; Greenwell learned harmonica by sitting in with him (Live performances in the 1970s) [mid-1970s]
• Mose Vincent - Early blues mentor; Greenwell learned harmonica by sitting in with him (Live performances in the 1970s) [mid-1970s]
• Johnny Neel - Producer and collaborator; produced much of Greenwell's early work (Various albums and live performances) [1980s–present]
• Harold Brown - Mentor during Greenwell's tenure in WAR (Live performances with WAR) [1980s]

Key Collaborators

• Warren Haynes - Bandmate in Blues Co-Op (Blues Co-Op band performances) [1980s]
• Johnny Neel - Long-term collaborator and producer (Multiple albums and live shows) [1980s–present]
• Snooks Eaglin - Shared stage in New Orleans blues scene (Live performances) [1980s–2000s]
• Marc Adams - Frequent collaborator in New Orleans (Live performances and recordings) [1980s–present]
• Eddie Bo - Shared stage in New Orleans blues scene (Live performances) [1980s–2000s]
• Jack Kolb - Band member in Smoky Greenwell Band (South Louisiana Blues album, live shows) [2010s–present]
• David Hyde - Band member in Smoky Greenwell Band (South Louisiana Blues album, live shows) [2010s–present]

Artists Influenced

• Numerous harmonica students - Taught through his harmonica course and private lessons; his course is used in schools and by individuals (Smoky's Beginning Harmonica Course) [1984–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Today I Started Lovin' You Again (Classic Smoke)
2. Higher Ground (Classic Smoke)
3. Let's Work Together (South Louisiana Blues)
4. Dirt Road Blues (South Louisiana Blues)
5. Between Iraq and a Hard Place (feat. Mark Penton, Greg Wolf Hodges, Andre Maritato, Garland Wilson, Margie Perez & Marc Adams) (Community Center of St Bernard: 5 Years of Caring)
6. Get out and Vote (Blues For Democracy)
7. Filibuster Blues (Blues For Democracy)
8. Liars, Cheaters, And Losers (Blues For Democracy)
9. Lets Work Together (Blues For Democracy)
10. Slow Moving Coup (Blues For Democracy)

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz