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The name Cornbread Harris might only resonate with the most devoted acolytes of Minneapolis, Minnesota’s rich history of R&B music. A new compilation, produced by Harris’ biographer, aims to change that.

Anthology is an eight-track look into the musical career of James Harris, Jr., better known as Cornbread – a key figure and forefather in the Twin Cities’ contribution to America’s musical landscape. Featuring a mix of rare and unreleased material spanning from the first single Harris played on in 1955 to recent recordings he’s made, Anthology is a living testament to an unsung musical icon who, at 97 years old, is still writing his story.

The Chicago-born Harris was orphaned at only three years old and eventually settled in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1955, he was a member of the Augie Garcia Quintet, a locally-famous combo who cut a handful of sides for the local North Star label, including “Hi Yo Silver,” considered to be the Twin Cities’ first rock and roll record. (The quintet earned additional notoriety a year later, when their raucous opening set for Elvis Presley was cut short by Colonel Tom Parker, who feared they were upstaging the future King.) Achieving anything beyond regional fame proved challenging, and Harris would join the Army and work in manufacturing for much of his life while steadily performing at local clubs. Harris is more than happy with the hand he’s been dealt, though, modestly describing himself as “a blessed dude.” Now, he gets to tell his story thanks to Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris, a new biography by Minneapolis journalist Andrea Swensson. (Swensson is a tireless champion of Minneapolis music as former music editor of City Pages and host for Minnesota Public Radio. In his final years, Prince took an interest in her work, and she’s produced a series of podcasts for his estate as well as liner notes to nearly all of his major posthumous reissue projects.)

Deeper Blues not only touches on professional matters, but personal ones, too. For all his success onstage and off, Harris did not have an easy relationship with his wives or children. James Harris III, Cornbread’s son, was estranged from his father when he set out on a musical career. Known as “Jimmy Jam” after a nickname from fellow Minneapolis musician Prince, the younger Harris became a charter member of The Time and later embarked on a successful career with friend and bandmate Terry Lewis, writing and producing hits for Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Usher, New Edition, The Human League, The S.O.S. Band and countless others. Deeper Blues gives both Harrises the happy ending anyone could want: now reunited after a half-century, Jam writes the afterword to Swensson’s book, and was on hand to play with his father during a book release event this past weekend.

Swensson has launched her own label, Slingshot Annie Records, to offer a companion piece and additional homage to her and Harris’ work. These eight songs – nearly all originals by Cornbread – will no doubt enhance the experience of reading Deeper Blues, or, perhaps, inspire you to pick it up. It’s available now on vinyl and digitally – with bundles featuring the book, as well – through Bandcamp at the link below.

Anthology (Slingshot Annie Records SA-001, 2024)

Side A

1. Going to Chicago – Augie Garcia Quintet
2. The Cornbread Song (Live @ Nikki’s Cafe, Minneapolis, MN – 3/4-3/5/1995)
3. Deeper Blues
4. Put the World Back Together (Live on Minnesota Public Radio – 2017)

Side B

1. Blue Blue Blue Blues
2. Cool Rider (Live @ Palmer’s Bar, Minneapolis, MN – 2007)
3. Lesson
4. Never-Ending Love Song (Live @ The Hook and Ladder Theater, Minneapolis, MN – 2017)

Track A1 released on North Star single NS-2025-B, 1955
Track A2 released on Live At Nikki’s – Casino Records (no cat. #), 1996
Tracks A3 and B3 recorded in 2002
Track B1 recorded in 2021
Track B2 released on Cadillac Kolstad vs. Cornbread Harris – All the Fun (At Palmer’s Bar) – Cadillac Wax (no cat. #), 2009