The ’Deeper Blues’ of Minneapolis music legend Cornbread Harris

MPR News with Angela Davis

Join Angela Davis at the Minnesota State Fair for a North Star Journey Live recording to celebrate the music, the man and the mischief of James “Cornbread” Harris.

Cornbread is now 97 years old, which means he’s been playing his beloved piano at gigs all over the Twin Cities for more than 70 years.

Music journalist Andrea Swensson recently released a book chronicling Cornbread’s remarkable life. “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris” recounts Minnesota music history — like what happened when Cornbread’s band, the Augie Garcia Quintet, opened for Elvis, and how Cornbread’s musical stylings helped create the Minneapolis Sound.

The 'Deeper Blues' of Cornbread Harris

• 
  


• 
  


• 
  


• 
  


• 
  


• 
  


• 
  


• 
  


• 
  


• 
  


• 
  

But it also touches on a more personal story: Cornbread’s reunification with son and music producer Jimmy Jam after decades years of estrangement, which was largely made possible by Swensson as she researched her book and became a fixture in Cornbread’s life.

Don’t miss the fun, the stories and the music from this North Star Journey Live conversation, recorded Monday, Aug. 26, with Cornbread, Swensson and special guests at the Minnesota State Fair. And if you want more Cornbread, check out the “Anthology“ of essential Cornbread hits that Swensson put together, in both digital and vinyl form.

Guests:

• Cornbread Harris is a legendary musician, whose career spans more than 70 years in the Minnesota music scene. He still plays a weekly gig at Palmer’s Bar each Sunday night.




• Andrea Swensson is a journalist with a passion for music. Formerly a DJ at MPR’s The Current, these days Swensson hosts the official Prince podcast, does deep dives into the Minneapolis music scene and writes books. Her latest is “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris.”




• Jayanthi Rajasa is multidisciplinary artist and archivist songstress in the Twin Cities.

North Star Journey Live (formerly known as In Focus) is a live event series and reoccurring topic on MPR News with Angela Davis centered around what Minnesota’s diverse communities need to thrive.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation