James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Sr. (born James Samuel Harris Jr.; April 23, 1927) is a beloved Minnesota musician…as a singer, pianist, and bluesman. Harris was a performer on Minnesota's first rock 'n' roll record, and is the father of the famous record producer Jimmy Jam. Moving to St. Paul when he was a pre-teen, Harris would go on to spend 70 years in the music scene, playing jazz and blues in Minneapolis club, influencing many along the way.
December 27, 2017 - MPR News with Tom Weber presents a full program dedicated to James "Cornbread" Harris, Sr. Earlier in 2017, the 90-year-old rock 'n' roll pioneer (also known as Jimmy "Jam" Harris, Jr.'s dad) visited The Current's studios to record an in-studio session with Local Show host Andrea Swensson and MPR News host Tom Weber to kick off their Summer Music Series. Program includes song performances and sharing stories of his life and career.
April 23, 2018 - Morning Edition takes a look at Minneapolis musician James "Cornbread" Harris who turned 91 on this day. In 2017, Harris stopped by MPR studios and spoke with Tom Weber and Andrea Swensson. While he was here he played a song called "Cool Rider." Harris says he wrote it about the aspirations he had for his son, who would become the highly successful record producer Jimmy Jam Harris.
April 29, 2021 - Morning Edition presents a conversation with beloved Minneapolis blues musician as he rehearses for an upcoming concert at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis to celebrate his 94th birthday.