Blues fans and those who will soon be are in for what should be an unforgettable performance by one of America's legends, James Cotton, Mr. Superharp, tonight at the Clarke Foundation Theatre in Mission.

Blowing on the harp since he was nine, then later with Muddy Waters' band for 12 years, and as the irrepressible band leader of many of his own groups, Cotton is without question the king of the blues harp.

His beginnings are humble, but Cotton's accolades are almost endless and his talents are legendary.

Cotton was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006, the Smithsonian Institute in 1991, and is the winner of Grammy and several W.C. Handy Blues Awards. He's shared the stage with big names such as Waters, B.B. King, Johnny Winter, the Allman Brothers, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Sam and Dave, The Grateful Dead, and many others whose names are lesser known, but whose talents and hearts just as big.

Cotton began blowing chicken and train sounds on the harp when he was nine, copying his mother, and played for the men in the sweltering Mississippi cotton fields.

Orphaned as a boy, he was mentored by a succession of great Southern bluesmen in the 1950s, became the host of his own radio show at 17, drove a truck and played juke houses until he was offered a gig by Waters.

To say Cotton had an arresting stage presence is an understatement.

Even as a young player, he'd have audiences on their feet, wailing and screaming along with him, cheering as Cotton made his signature back flips. During the 1961 Newport Jazz Festival, one of the famed tales of his career came about when his wild harmonica exploded on stage during his solo of the blues anthem he arranged for Muddy, Got My Mojo Working.

More legend has it that there were nights when he blew his harmonica so hard the keys fell out into his hands, with him teasing the audience with, "Oh, I'm just warming up."

The back flips are long gone, and the wailing voice is reduced to a rough whisper after vocal chord surgery in 1994, but Cotton's power and his gift to blow life into that harp are as strong as ever.

The Clarke show is one of only two Canadian dates on this tour. It will be a rare opportunity to experience this iconic bluesman in a close and personal setting.

The night also features an opening set by Vancouver's Steve Kozak and his Westcoast Blues Revue.

- Tickets are at Ticketmaster outlets.

CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com