Harmonicat.com - Patrick J. Simmons

HARMONICATCOM

Official site of blues musician, Patrick J. Simmons

Born in East St. Louis in 1949, Patrick J. Simmons, “Harmonicat Pat”, got his musical start at age ten, singing in the church choir. By twelve, Patrick was singing lead vocals in a local group, Al Black and the Playboys, playing the local bar scene,C.Y.O. dances, teen town's etc. Pat’s cited influences include Ray Charles, Elvis, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed ,John Mayall, Junior Wells,Little Walter, Snooky Pryor,James Cotton,Magic Dick, Kim Wilson, & on & on. When a motorcycle crash took away his ability to play guitar & drums at age 20, Pat took up the harmonica which his parents gave him during his recuperation. Since that time, Patrick has sat in, and played harp for and with, Henry Townsend, Oliver Sain, Marcel Strong, Chuck Berry, Ingrid Berry, Silvercloud and Guy Forsythe,Wilie Jaye, & Bennie Smith, just to name a few. Between 1992 and 1998, Patrick played harmonica with St. Louis’ Doubletake. The band played local gigs and released its debut LP, “Speaking Confidentially”, in 1994, which included five tracks featuring Patrick on harmonica, from which two songs are featured on this site. Patrick left the band due to his obligations at General Motors, where he worked as a millwright. These days, Patrick is always looking for a chance to sit in with artists, sing, and play his harp. You may contact him at pat@harmonicat.com.

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