"Following the extraordinary life story of James "Cornbread" Harris, Deeper Blues is a unique history of Minnesota music that evolves into a heartfelt tale of reconciliation and forgiveness, all to the tune of the legendary musician's signature sound. A rich mix of present-day anecdotes and historical vignettes, and featuring never-before-seen photographs of Cornbread and Jimmy Jam, Deeper Blues tells a singular story-one imprinted on the history, heart, and soul of the Minneapolis Sound"--
The emotional, epic story of James Cornbread Harrisa self-proclaimed blessed dude and one of Minneapoliss most influential musicians
From the heart of the Minnesota blues comes the story of James Cornbread Harris Jr., the songwriter, pianist, and consummate bluesman whose seventy years making music helped to shape the Minneapolis Sound. I am a blessed dude, Cornbread tells Andrea Swensson, taking us along on his musical journey from a first gig entertaining his fellow soldiers during World War II to his subsequent years playing music for audiences across Minnesota. Following Cornbreads extraordinary life story, Deeper Blues is a unique history of Minnesota music that evolves into a heartfelt tale of reconciliation and forgiveness, all to the tune of the legendary musicians signature sound.
Cornbreads career started in the 1950s, when he played with the Augie Garcia Quintet and cowrote their hit Hi Ho Silver. A tireless entertainer, he has been performing live ever since, influencing an entire generation of musicians credited with putting Minneapolis on the map in the 1980sincluding his long-estranged son, Grammy-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Jimmy Jam Harris III. Going beyond the music, Deeper Blues turns toward family, atonement, and peace when Cornbread reunites with Jimmy Jam after a five-decade separation and they perform together on stage.
Through conversations with Cornbread, Jimmy Jam, and many others, Swensson reveals a story of perseverance and unfailing grace, a firsthand account of making music in the face of racism and segregation, and a hard-won acceptance of the personal sacrifices that are often required when dedicating ones life to making music. As the man himself says, All of my hardships ended up to be blessings.
A rich mix of present-day anecdotes and historical vignettes, animated by voices from Cornbreads life and the Twin Cities music scene, underscored by the bluesmans original lyrics of heartache and hope, and featuring never-before-seen photographs of Cornbread and Jimmy Jam, Deeper Blues tells a singular storyone imprinted on the history, heart, and soul of the Minneapolis Sound.
Recenzijos
"Andrea Swenssons book on Minneapolis music icon Cornbread Harris is fascinating. He was a peer of my mother and father in the Minneapolis music scene, so this biography holds a special place in my heart. The music business isnt for the faint of heart . . . but when its your calling like it is for Cornbread, you get to spend your life healing people through your gift, no matter the personal cost. Im honored to have recorded with him and to call his son, Jimmy Jam, my friend. A must read!" -St. Paul Peterson
"In a crazy world without a road map, were all doing the best we can to reach a destination of peace that feels like home. Planting seeds that grow into a destiny greater than we could ever imagine for ourselves-just as Cornbread did for Jimmy Jam. What a beautiful thing to read this story of a father and son reuniting after years of separation to share their love of music again. Deeper Blues is a reminder that love and music are divine uniting forces that continue to heal us." -Terry Lewis
"Andrea Swensson's Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris is a must-read. Accomplished journalist [ Swensson] brings acumen, insight, and passion to bear on a beloved Twin Cities icon."-Blue Monday Magazine
"To be sure, [ Deeper Blues] is a remarkable story about a remarkable man. A chronicle of love, sorrow, forgiveness, sacrifice, and redemption. Its a must read for all those who either love and/or fashion themselves as students of the Minneapolis Sound."-Minnesota Spokesman Recorder
"An engaging portrait of a consummate entertainer who has been a fixture on the Twin Cities music scene for 70 years."-Star Tribune
"Clear-sighted about the challenge she finds herself at the centre of, Swensson writes with an emotional intelligence that allows her to tell the tale with both intimacy and respect."-Record Collector
"In her book, Swensson writes of her admiration for Harriss musicianship, and her delight in Harris as a person. Her writing captures Harriss sense of humor and his vulnerability, even as she gets at his true love of music."-MinnPost
"Swenssons book should appeal to folks with an interest in local history and local music. It is an opportunity to meet through words on a page a warm and engaging musician who deserves the attention."-Ramsey County History
"Swensson illustrates once again her enviable knack at balancing craft with a measure of empathy and coercion in her subjects." -The Aquarian
Contents
Introduction: Rare Form
1. Long, Long Ago
2. Heart and Soul
3. River Road Boogie
4. Deeper Blues
5. The Cornbread Song
6. Tell Me Im Your Man
7. All the Fun
8. Put the World Back Together
9. Never-Ending Love Song
Afterword
Jimmy Jam
Acknowledgments
Cornbreads Discography
Andrea Swensson is an author, podcast host, and music journalist in Minneapolis. She hosts the Official Prince Podcast and has written for numerous publications, including NPR Music, Pitchfork, the Star Tribune, City Pages, and Minnesota Public Radios The Current, where she previously hosted The Local Show. Her first book, Got to Be Something Here: The Rise of the Minneapolis Sound, also from the University of Minnesota Press, won a 2018 Minnesota Book Award.
James Jimmy Jam Harris III, the son of Minnesota blues legend James Cornbread Harris, is a Grammy-winning songwriter and producer from Minneapolis. He and Terry Lewis, known as Jam and Lewis, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022; the duo have written forty-one Top 10 hits in the United States and have more Billboard No. 1 hits than any other songwriting/production team. The musical icons they have worked with include Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Usher.
