Smoky
Greenwell was born in Michigan on the 4th of July 1951, reared
in Delaware, and schooled in Spain and Tennessee. Greenwell
learned harmonica in earnest in the mid-1970's by sitting in
with the venerable blues masters Furry Lewis, Piano Red and
Mose Vincent. Greenwell's career as a first-call sessions player
began at Sam Phillips' Sun Studios and led him to take up residence
in Nashville in the '80's. Greenwell came to national attention
in the band Blues Co-Op (with Allman Brothers guitarist Warren
Haynes). It was in Nashville that Greenwell began a long association
with Allman Brothers keyboardist, singer and producer Johnny
Neel, a partnership that continues to this day.
Greenwell came to New Orleans
in 1981 for an engagement at the now legendary (and defunct)
Old Absinthe Bar and decided to stay. Since that time, he
has shared stages with Snooks Eaglin, Marc Adams, Eddie Bo,
"Big" Al Carson, Brint Anderson, Jumpin' Johnny
Sansone, Coco Robicheaux, Willie Lockett, John Carey, Bruce
"Sunpie" Barnes, Kermit Venable and BeauBassin,
Kipori "Baby Wolf" Woods, Bryan Lee, Timothea, Walter
"Wolfman" Washington, Jeremy Lyons, Spencer Bohren,
George Porter, Jr., Waylon Thibodeaux, Rockin' Dopsie, Jr.,
Chubby Carrier, Blue Floyd, Mother Blues, Lenny McDaniel,
Irene Sage, Tommy Malone, Tim Green, Jimmy Page, Eugene Carrier,
Tom Worrell, and many others in the areas of blues, jazz,
Cajun, Zydeco, funk, and country. In addition to fronting
his own band, Greenwell is best known as the replacement for
Lee Oskar in the seminal band WAR with Harold Brown, BB Dickerson,
and Howard Scott (currently recording and touring under the
name The Original Lowriders for legal reasons).
Greenwell wrote and produced
a popular harmonica course in 1984. The updated version remains
in demand at music stores in New Orleans, Nashville, and other
cities where it is available, and on Greenwell's web site
smokystore.com. Smoky's Beginning Harmonica Course has sold
approximately 22, 000 copies and is used in schools as well
as by individuals. Greenwell is frequently sought out by blues
harmonica aficionados seeking private lessons. Greenwell spends
his time in New Orleans while not on the road. He is available
for session work, performances, and private lessons.
Greenwell has five solo
CDs to his credit, all produced in Nashville by Johnny Neel:
Smokin (1993), Smoke Alarm (1995), Blowout (1998), and Premium
Smoke (2000). Greenwell's new CD, Smokin' Christmas is a mix
of originals and holiday standards featuring notable guest
musicians from Nashville and New Orleans.
