Jerry Portnoy was born in 1943 and grew up in the blues-drenched atmosphere of Chicago's famous Maxwell Street Market during the golden age of Chicago Blues. He began his professional career in the late 60's and since that time has performed, live and on television, to more people in more places than any other blues harmonica player. As well as touring with the Legendary Blues Band and his own band, The Streamliners, Jerry has had the singular honor of working for many years with the two biggest names in blues - Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton - and is regarded as one of the finest exponents of the Chicago blues harmonica tradition performing today. His constant touring schedule has carried him to 26 countries on five continents, with performaces at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Smithsonian, London's Royal Albert Hall, and at major jazz festivals worldwide, including Newport and Montreux, as well as playing on several Grammy award winning albums.