Carey Bell, 70; blues harmonica player worked with legends

Carey Bell, 70, a blues harmonica player who performed with legendary blues figures including Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, died Sunday in Chicago of heart failure, according to Alligator Records, which released several albums by Bell.

The label’s president, Bruce Iglauer, said Bell was a transitional figure between early blues players, such as Marion (Little Walter) Jacobs and Big Walter Horton.

Carey Bell Harrington was born in Macon, Miss. He wanted a saxophone as a boy but his family wasn’t able to afford one so his grandfather gave him a harmonica. By the time he was 19, Harrington was performing professionally with his godfather, pianist Lovie Lee.

Bell spent 1971 traveling and recording with Muddy Waters and can be heard on his “London Sessions.” He also worked regularly in Chicago with Dixon’s Chicago Blues All-Stars. Albums under his own name include “Harp Attack,” “Deep Down” and “Good Luck Man.”