The local music community is mourning the loss of harmonica hero Norton Buffalo, who died Oct. 30 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Steve Miller, Bonnie Raitt and the Doobie Brothers are among those who will pay tribute to Buffalo during a Jan. 23 concert at the Fox Theater in Oakland (see www.apeconcerts.com for more information). The tribute is appropriate — the Oakland native added so much to other musicians' careers during his lifetime. Here are five notable artists that benefited from the Buffalo touch. — Jim Harrington

Steve Miller

Buffalo was a member of Miller's mega-popular band for 34 years. He can be heard on many of the vocalist-guitarist's best-loved records, including 1977's "Book of Dreams" (listen to the tracks "Winter Time" and "The Stake.")

Roy Rogers

The astounding slide-guitarist was one of Buffalo's most-frequent collaborators. Together, they toured the world and recorded some great tunes.