Cross Roads

Do you know James Joshua Whiting? Even he might have forgotten the name his parents gave him one December day in 1949 in New York, where he was born and later played his first tune on what would become his signature instrument—the harmonica. Sugar Blue was born. For many years, James, now known as Sugar Blue, honed his technique through countless encounters, sessions, and concerts, some more fruitful and rewarding than others. His collaborations were numerous, especially with Louisiana Red, Johnny Shines, and Roosevelt Sykes. Yet, Sugar Blue's name, like those of his peers, often appeared in newspapers and on concert and bar posters—though rarely in large print or as the headliner. This limited his fame and kept him from truly taking off. Sugar took on various odd jobs to make ends meet, even working as a shoeshiner in Harlem. Meanwhile, some of his friends, like Memphis Slim, were forging their own paths—paths that sometimes took surprising turns. Following a tour in