Back in the fall of 2017, author, radio host and music journalist Andrea Swensson published her critically acclaimed debut, “Got to Be Something Here: The Rise of the Minneapolis Sound.” It not only garnered her a Minnesota Book Award but put to rest the spurious notion that there was not a vibrant Black music scene here in the Twin Cities prior to the emergence of Prince and his ultra-talented compatriots at the dawn of the 1980s.
Moreover, Swensson’s text shed light on the area’s restrictive, racist covenants that cast Black residents to the margins of society and likewise kept Black bands from performing at most local venues. Something that only further serves to immortalize the reality that a group of plucky and precocious teenagers, mostly from the Northside, went on to conquer the music world.
Since that first book, Swensson has contributed liner note essays to the super deluxe editions of multiple Prince reissues, including “1999” and “Sign O’ The Times,” become host and co-producer of the “Official Prince Podcast,” and earlier this year released the exquisitely written, illustrated, and packaged bestseller “Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years,” which currently ranks third on Amazon’s Top 100 under the category of music history.
Now she’s at it again with “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs, and Salvation of Cornbread Harris,” soon to be published by the University of Minnesota Press.
The book recounts the life and times of 97-year-old living legend, James Samuel Harris, Jr. Affectionately known as “Cornbread,” Harris’ illustrious music career in the North Star State and beyond now spans seven decades. And, of course, he’s also the father of one James Samuel Harris, III, whom the world has come to know as Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmy Jam, who contributes the afterword.
“Deeper Blues” is chock-full of fascinating stories told both by and about its subject, several of which are heartrending, some that are quite humorous, and others resoundingly triumphant.
Cornbread Harris and a young Jimmy Jam Credit: Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society 
Cornbread Harris (center on piano) with Huckleberry Finn, Cornbread & Friends Trio Credit: Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society 
Cornbread Harris (far left on piano) with the Augie Garcia Quintet Credit: Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
By the time he turned three, both of Harris’ parents had tragically passed away and he and his sister bounced around foster homes until settling in with their grandparents several years later in St. Paul. Harris also overcame severe malformations in his legs, which required multiple surgeries during his early years.
Harris played tuba in the Mechanic Arts High School band, and, as a member of the United States Army, played piano for injured soldiers in the dayroom at Ft. McClellan.
His music career really began to take shape during his late 20s, when as a member of the Augie Garcia Quintet, Harris helped to upstage Elvis Presley when opening for the future “King of Rock and Roll” during his Twin Cities debut. And Harris famously went on to front some of his own bands, including the Swing Masters.
After the release of his first solo record in 1995, “Live at Nikki’s,” Harris finally started to receive many of the accolades that he’d long been due following 40 years on the scene. We also learn about the untimely death of his oldest daughter Cynthia, who succumbed to cancer in 2005.
And there is still so much more absorb in “Deeper Blues.”
Historic gigs, more recordings, and heartfelt tales of Harris and his legacy from the likes of his daughter Jennifer, along with numerous friends and collaborators such as Chris Mozena, Scott Soule, Craig Rice, and brothers Ricky and Paul Peterson, among others.
The narratives are punctuated by Swensson’s fluid, engaging style. That said, her elegant prose aside, there are plenty of other reasons that this is not your typical biography.
Harris and Swensson haven’t only teamed up to record the former’s life story, which naturally was the plan all along; they also managed to both unearth unknown histories and create brand new ones in real-time.
As the two of them gathered regularly to turn thoughts and words into pages, Swensson’s research revealed things that even Harris never knew. For example, the fact that his mother Claudine, whom he never truly had the chance to know, was an accomplished organist in her own right.
“So maybe that’s why I came up with this piano thing,” affirmed an excited Harris upon reading this news, “it was in my ear, and in my heart and soul.”
Moreover, the process of creating this book ultimately led to the reconciliation and reunion of Harris and his son Jimmy Jam after the two had been estranged for the better part of each of their lives.
Swensson adds a deft touch by weaving in her own first-person accounts of the journey she and Harris set out on together. To be sure, “Deeper Blues” is remarkable story about a remarkable man. A chronicle of love, sorrow, forgiveness, sacrifice, and redemption. It’s a must read for all those who either love and/or fashion themselves as students of the Minneapolis Sound.
“Deeper Blues” is due out August 12, and available everywhere that books are sold.