James Cotton is a real blues guy, and he played with Muddy Waters, and it surprised me that they would want me to make a record with them, that he called me to do this record. I'd never done anything like that before. But I love blues, so I was very happy.

Eventually he set his sights on Los Angeles and to save money for the trip took a job as house bassist for ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee in Springfield Missouri. His first recordings were made that year with Paul Bley. Family
His son Josh Haden is a bass guitarist and singer.

Charles Edward Haden (born August 6 1937 Shenandoah Iowa) is an American jazz musician. Haden is also known for his signature lyrical bass lines.