Little Mack Simmons

about

"He was one of the top harp blowers (and at times the best) in Chicago. - REAL BLUES Magazine Malcolm "Little Mack" Simmons, came up from Twist Arkansas and earned his formidable harmonica chops in the southside jukes and in the blues clubs along Rush Street in the windy city. In a remarkable almost 50-year career, this childhood friend of James Cotton later performed with the some of the brightest lights of the blues world, including Robert Nighthawk, Sunnyland Slim, Luther Allison, Magic Sam, and Howlin' Wolf. Never a big name, he remained an unsung hero for most of his career, mentoring other up & comers with studio and stage time at regular jam sessions, including having a young Lonnie Brooks sit in & perform some of his first songs with Little Mack. In 1954 Little Mack moved on to Chicago, where he formed his own band and held down a five-year stand at Cadillac Baby's, as well as performing regularly at Pepper's Lounge and at Sylvio's. In 1959 he began his recording career, initially at Carl Jones's C.J. label, then he cut tracks for Cadillac Baby and Chess Records. Over the next three years, he laid down more sides for the Palos, Bea & Baby and New Breed labels. From the mid to late 1970s, he owned and operated the Zodiac Lounge in Chicago. He also owned a studio and recorded for his own labels: PM Records and Simmons Records. Along with his own records, during this period he also contributed killer harmonica laden tracks to music from blues diva Arlean Brown and

top songs

albums

Blue Lights (Blues Reference)

The PM+Simmons Collection 1971-1982

Blue Lights

Little Mack Is Back

Somewhere On Down The Line

The Best of Little Mack Simmons: The Electro-Fi Years

Come Back to Me Baby

The Best Of Little Mack Simmons

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IndieFeed: Blues Music

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The PM/Simmons Collection 1971-1982

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Chicago Ain't Nothin' But A Blues Band

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The Last Sessions

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