Blues Harpist Norton Buffalo, R.I.P.

Blues harpist Norton Buffalo, a mainstay of the Northern California blues scene for better than three decades, lost his short battle with lung cancer on Friday, October 29, 2009 at the age of 58 years.

A skilled harmonica player who was equally conversant in blues, rock, folk, and country music, Buffalo's distinctive harp tones can be heard on over 180 albums by artists as diverse as Bonnie Raitt, the Doobie Brothers, Elvin Bishop, Johnny Cash, and many others. Buffalo was a touring member of Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen, and had been a member of the Steve Miller Band since 1976.

Buffalo also enjoyed a unique career in the blues, releasing his debut album Lovin' in the Valley of the Moon in 1977, and King of the Highway, with his band the Knockouts, in 2000, with several albums appearing in between. Buffalo is best known for his association with slide-guitarist Roy Rogers, the two artists first playing together in 1987 and collaborating on three albums for Blind Pig Records, including 2003's Roots of Our Nature.

A couple of benefit shows are planned in honor of Buffalo, the first scheduled for November 22, 2009 at the Paradise Performing Arts Center in Paradise, California and featuring Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, and the Carlos Reyes Band. A larger celebration of Buffalo's amazing career will be held on January 23, 2010 at the Fox Theater in Oakland, featuring the Steve Miller Band and the Doobie Brothers with special guests Huey Lewis, George Thorogood, Charlie Musselwhite and Bonnie Raitt.

A quiet but influential presence in the roots-music community since the mid-1970s, Norton Buffalo's skilled playing and musical genius will be missed. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and many fans around the world.

Norton Buffalo & Roy Rogers photo courtesy Norton Buffalo website