James Samuel Harris

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Jr. (born James Samuel Harris Jr.; April 23, 1927) is an American musician. He is a singer and pianist who performs in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a performer on Minnesota's first rock 'n' roll record, and is the father of record producer Jimmy Jam.

Later career alt=At left man in his thirties plays piano, man in the middle is in his seventies also playing piano, man at right in his twenties or thirties playing a snare drum. On the Mississippi waterfront Harris co-wrote Augie Garcia's "Hi Yo Silver," a 1955 song that was Minnesota's first rock 'n' roll recording. He performed on the record, which he called a one-hit wonder ).

Harris was in the U.S. military and later worked for about 25 years for American Hoist & Derrick. . Playing at venues including the Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown, Clubhouse Jäger in the North Loop and Palmer's Bar until their closures. He celebrated his 99th birthday with a performance at Hook and Ladder on Lake St. on April 23, 2026

Harris is a mentor to Cadillac Kolstad and City Pages calls them the "must-see dueling-piano act in town".

Awards The "Blues Legend Award" (2012) The Sally Awards (2013)