Snooky Pryor, born James Edward Pryor on September 15, 1921 in Lambert, Mississippi, pioneered the thicker, amplified sound of blues harmonica. According to an interview on Canoe, while serving in the Army he would blow bugle calls through the powerful PA system, which led him to experiment with playing the harmonica that way. Upon discharge from the army, he obtained his own amplifier, and began playing on Maxwell Street in Chicago. Pryor became prominent in the Chicago blues scene.

Pryor counts Sonny Boy Williamson I and Sonny Boy Williamson II as musical influences.

Some of his better known songs include Nine Below Zero, Judgement Day, Crazy 'Bout My Baby, How'd You Learn to Shake It Like That and Shake My Hand.

External Links and Sounds

The Hohner harmonica company at one point featured Snooky Pryor as a featured artist, including a sound clip.

Blind Pig Records also includes information on Snooky Pryor and his music.