Cornbread Harris, Live at Hook And Ladder Theater, Minneapolis, MN- 4/23/26

Cornbread Harris
Hook And Ladder Theater
Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 23rd, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS535)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to remaster, share freely anywhere else, or convert to MP3. Please don't sell it or profit from it in any way. If you enjoy this show, support the artist by buying/streaming their music, attending a show or buying merch.

-Thanks as always to Cornbread Harris for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

https://cornbreadharris.bandcamp.com/

"Cornbread's 99th B-Day Party Extravaganza"

Set 1

1. Intro
2. Blue Blue Blue
3. Deeper Blues
4. Night Train (Jimmy Forrest cover)
5. Take the "A" Train (Duke Ellington and His Orchestra cover)
6. Early in the Mornin' (Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five cover)
7. When I Been Drinking (Big Bill Broonzy cover)
8. Organ Grinder Blues (Clarence Williams cover)
9. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) (Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra cover) > Happy Birthday to You (Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill cover)
10. Intermission Riff

Set 2

1. Intro
2. Jam Blues
3. Candy Man
4. All Blues (Miles Davis cover)
5. Never Ending Love Song
6. Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra cover)
7. The Cornbread Song
8. Put the World (Back Together)
9. Blue Monk (Thelonious Monk cover)
10. Intermission Riff

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Jr- Piano and Vocals
James "Jimmy Jam" Harris III- Keyboard
Nathan Berry- Trombone
Maurice Jacox- Vocals and Alto Sax
Scott Soule- Bass
Rocko Bolero- Guitar
Douglas Hill- Drums
Jason “Bobby Jay” Marks- Trumpet
Benjamin Link- Trombone
Sam Brooks- Saxophone

Archive.org / Google Drive

The Hook & Ladder Theater is very proud to present a very special event celebrating the 99 year-old birthday of legendary twin-city performer, James Samuel ‘Cornbread’ Harris Sr., his band of Friends and some very special guests!

**************************

Tapers notes: My recorder shut off for some reason at some point during set 2, but thankfully I was recording video and was able to patch the missing audio with that. I was missing about the last 25 minutes of the show, so at the start of "The Cornbread Song" there is a difference in audio for the rest of the show. Unfortunate, but I tried to make the best of it, and I'm still not sure why my recorder died, I've been running a lot of tests since. This is an otherwise great recording, the show was great, always cool to see Cornbread and his son share the stage. Here's to hoping I'll see Cornbread next year at the 100th birthday extravaganza.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

Cornbread Harris, Live at Oak Center General Store, Lake City, MN- 3/21/26

Cornbread Harris
Oak Center General Store
Lake City, MN
Mar. 21st, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS526)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to remaster, share freely anywhere else, or convert to MP3. Please don't sell it or profit from it in any way. If you enjoy this show, support the artist by buying/streaming their music, attending a show or buying merch.

-Thanks as always to Cornbread Harris for allowing me to record.

More pictures here: Link

https://cornbreadharris.bandcamp.com/

Set 1

1. Intro
2. ?
3. Deeper Blues
4. Candy Man
5. Take the "A" Train (Duke Ellington and His Orchestra cover)
6. Organ Grinder Blues (Clarence Williams cover)
7. Intermission Riff

Set 2

1. Country Boy Blues (Lil Green cover)
2. Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra cover)
3. Red Top
4. When I Been Drinking (Big Bill Broonzy cover)
5. Early in the Mornin' (Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five cover)
6. Put the World (Back Together)
7. Intermission Riff

Cornbread Harris- Vocals, Piano
Steve Clark- Saxophone, Flute
Maurice Jacox- Saxophone, Vocals
Doug Hill- Drums
Scott Soule- Bass, Vocals
Jon Pederson- Guitar
Nathan Berry- Trombone
Jason Marks- Trumpet

Archive.org / Google Drive

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Tapers notes: Seeing Cornbread's name pop up on the Oak Center General Store schedule was a pleasant surprise, and the show didn't disappoint. Even at 98 years old, he puts on quite a show, and his band is superb. Audio quality here is good, some noise from the resident dogs barking, but other than that, no real flaws.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

Cornbread Harris, Live at Hook and Ladder Theater, Minneapolis, MN- 12/18/25

Cornbread Harris
Hook And Ladder Theater
Minneapolis, MN
Dec. 18th, 2025

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS510)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to remaster, share freely anywhere else, or convert to MP3. Please don't sell it or profit from it in any way. If you enjoy this show, support the artist by buying/streaming their music, attending a show or buying merch.

More pictures here: Link

https://cornbreadharris.bandcamp.com/

Set 1

1. Intro

2. Blue Blue Blue

3. Deeper Blues

4. Gloria (In Excelsis Deo) (Trad.)

5. When I Been Drinking (Big Bill Broonzy cover)

6. Merry Christmas, Baby (Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers cover)

7. Candy Man

8. Blue Christmas (Doye O’Dell cover)

9. Intermission Riff

Set 2

1. ?

2. What Child Is This? (William Chatterton Dix cover)

3. Take the "A" Train (Duke Ellington and His Orchestra cover)

4. The Little Drummer Boy (The Trapp Family Singers cover)

5. Night Train (Jimmy Forrest cover)

6. Please Come Home for Christmas (Charles Brown cover)

7. Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra cover)

8. Jingle Bells (James Lord Pierpont cover)

9. Twas the Night Before Christmas (Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians cover)

10. Intermission Riff

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Jr- Piano and Vocals

Steve Clark- Saxophone, Flute

Benjamin Link- Trombone

Maurice Jacox- Vocals and Alto Sax

Douglas Hill- Drums

Scott Soule- Bass, Vocals

Rocko Bolero- Guitar

Nathan Berry- Trombone, Cornet

Samuel Brooks- Tenor Sax

Jason “Bobby Jay” Marks- Trumpet

Archive.org / Google Drive

The Hook and Ladder Theater is proud to again host this very special, intimate Holiday Blues Show with the one and only Cornbread Harris and Friends on Thursday, December 18th at The Hook and Ladder Theater. 

James Samuel “Cornbread” Harris, Sr. (born April 23, 1927) is an American musician and Twin Cities legend. The Cornbread, as he often refers to himself, has been playing blues, boogie-woogie and rock n roll piano for Twin Cities audiences for decades…roughly 7 of them now. Yes, Cornbread opened for The King (Elvis). Yes, a young Cornbread appeared on MN’s first recorded rock & roll record (with Augie Garcia). Yes, Cornbread has been the recipient of numerous prestigious (Blues Hall of Fame, Sally Award, etc.) recognitions. Yes, Cornbread is Jimmy Jam’s dad.

 

But, the fact that Cornbread still holds down weekly and monthly gigs across the Twin Cities at restaurants like The Loring Pasta Bar and Hells Kitchen, as well as playing local music venues, weddings, churches, old folks homes and private events as often as he can, is what might just make him the most special artist in our artist-rich community.

**************************
Tapers notes: None.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

Cornbread Harris, Live at Hook And Ladder Theater, Minneapolis, MN- 5/1/25

Cornbread Harris
Hook And Ladder Theater
Minneapolis, MN
May 1st, 2025

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS456)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to re-master, share freely anywhere else, convert to MP3, just never ever sell it. Also, if you like this show, please support the artist by buying/streaming their music, buying a ticket to a show or buying merch.

More pictures here: Link

https://cornbreadharris.bandcamp.com/

"Cornbread’s 98th B-Day Party Extravaganza"

Set 1

1. Intro
2. Blue Blue Blue > Monk's Blues
3. Night Train (Jimmy Forrest cover)
4. Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra cover) (w/ Jazzy Cheryl Wilson on vocals)
5. ?
6. Intermission Riff

Set 2 (w/ James "Jimmy Jam" Harris III on keyboard)

1. Intro
2. ?
3. Deeper Blues
4. ?
5. Fine and Mellow (Billie Holiday cover) (w/ Charmin Michelle on vocals)
6. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) (Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra cover) > Happy Birthday to You (Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill cover)
7. ?
8. Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You (Wilson Pickett cover)
9. Candy Man
10. Put the World (Back Together)
11. Country Boy Blues (Lil Green cover)

12. Organ Grinder Blues (Clarence Williams cover)

13. Intermission Riff

14. Happy Birthday to You (Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill cover)

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Jr- Piano and Vocals

Steve Clark- Saxophone

Glenn Graham- Saxophone

Samuel Brooks- Tenor Sax

Nathan Berry- Trombone

Benjamin Link- Trombone

Jason “Bobby Jay” Marks- Trumpet

Rocko Bolero- Guitar

?- Drums

Scott Soule- Bass

James "Jimmy Jam" Harris III- Keyboard (Set 2)

Archive.org / Google Drive

The Hook & Ladder Theater is very proud to present a very special event celebrating the 98 year-old birthday of legendary twin-city performer, James Samuel ‘Cornbread’ Harris Sr., his band of Friends and some very special guests!

**************************
Tapers notes: This was a fun night, I wasn't anticipating seeing Cornbread and his son on the stage together, so it was a pleasant surprise. As always, Cornbread puts on a great show, and doesn't seem to be slowing down at all as he nears 100 years old. Here's to hoping I'll be posting his 100th birthday part extravaganza in a couple years!

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

Cornbread Harris, Live at Hook And Ladder Theater, Minneapolis, MN- 12/12/24

Cornbread Harris
Hook And Ladder Theater
Minneapolis, MN
Dec. 12th, 2024

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS433)

Lineage: LyxPro SDPC-2 mics > Zoom H4Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to re-master, share freely anywhere else, convert to MP3, just never ever sell it. Also, if you like this show, please support the artist by buying/streaming their music, buying a ticket to a show or buying merch.

More pictures here: Link

https://cornbreadharris.bandcamp.com/

Set 1

1. Intro
2. Blue Blue Blue > Monk's Blues
3. Deeper Blues
4. When I Been Drinking (Big Bill Broonzy cover)
5. Candy Man
6. Merry Christmas Baby (Charles Brown cover)
7. Santa's Messin' With the Kid (Eddie C. Campbell cover)
8. ?
9. Angels We Have Heard on High (Trad.)
10. Intermission Riff

Set 2

1. Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra cover) (w/ Jazzy Cheryl Wilson on vocals)
2. Blue Christmas (Doye O’Dell cover)
3. The Little Drummer Boy (The Trapp Family Singers cover)
4. What Child Is This? (William Chatterton Dix cover)
5. Organ Grinder Blues (Clarence Williams cover)
6. Jingle Bells (James Lord Pierpont cover)
7. Deck the Halls (Trad.)
8. Twas the Night Before Christmas (Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians cover)
9. ?

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Jr- Piano and Vocals

Steve Clark- Saxophone

Glenn Graham- Saxophone

Samuel Brooks- Tenor Sax

Nathan Berry- Trombone

Benjamin Link- Trombone

Jason “Bobby Jay” Marks- Trumpet

Rocko Bolero- Guitar

Douglas Hill- Drums

Scott Soule- Bass

Archive.org  / Google Drive

The Hook and Ladder Theater is proud to again host this very special, intimate Holiday Blues Show with the one and only Cornbread Harris and Friends on Thursday, December 12th at The Hook and Ladder Theater.

James Samuel “Cornbread” Harris, Sr. (born April 23, 1927) is an American musician and Twin Cities legend. The Cornbread, as he often refers to himself, has been playing blues, boogie-woogie and rock n roll piano for Twin Cities audiences for decades…roughly 7 of them now. Yes, Cornbread opened for The King (Elvis). Yes, a young Cornbread appeared on MN’s first recorded rock & roll record (with Augie Garcia). Yes, Cornbread has been the recipient of numerous prestigious (Blues Hall of Fame, Sally Award, etc.) recognitions. Yes, Cornbread is Jimmy Jam’s dad.

But, the fact that Cornbread still holds down weekly and monthly gigs across the Twin Cities at restaurants like The Loring Pasta Bar and Hells Kitchen, as well as playing local music venues, weddings, churches, old folks homes and private events as often as he can, is what might just make him the most special artist in our artist-rich community.

Please join us as we celebrate the holidays with a 97 year old living legend, James Samuel ‘Cornbread’ Harris, Sr.

**************************
Tapers notes: This was Cornbread's annual Christmas show, so there's a few Christmas songs sprinkled in through the set. Him being 97 years of age, I always appreciate being able to see Cornbread, and hopefully will be able to for at least a few more years still.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"

Cornbread Harris, Live at Hook And Ladder Theater, Minneapolis, MN- 4/25/24

Cornbread Harris
Hook And Ladder Theater
Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 25th, 2024

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS375)

Lineage: Audience Recording using Zoom H2 internal mics > SD Card > PC > Mastered in Adobe Audition > Track splitting using CD Wave Editor > Compressed to FLAC Level 8 using dBpoweramp > Tagged with MP3 Tag

-Feel free to re-master, share freely anywhere else, convert to MP3, just never ever sell it. Also, if you like this show, please support the artist by buying/streaming their music, buying a ticket to a show or buying merch.

More pictures here: Link

https://cornbreadharris.bandcamp.com/

"Cornbread’s 97th B-Day Party Extravaganza"

Set 1

1. Intro

2. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) (Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra cover) > Happy Birthday to You (Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill cover)

3. Deeper Blues

4. Night Train (Jimmy Forrest cover)

5. When I Been Drinking (Big Bill Broonzy cover)

6. Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Gal?) (Sam Lanin and His Orchestra cover)

7. Intermission Riff

Set 2

1. Put the World (Back Together)

2. Red Top (Gene Ammons and His Sextet cover)

3. ?

4. Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra cover)

5. Organ Grinder Blues (Clarence Williams cover)

6. ?

7. Country Boy Blues (Lil Green cover)

8. Intermission Riff

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Jr- Piano and Vocals

Steve Clarke- Saxophone, Clarinet

Benjamin Link- Trombone

Rocko Bolero- Guitar

Scott Soule- Bass

Bill Golden- Drums

Archive.org / Google Drive

The Hook & Ladder Theater is very proud to present a very special concert event celebrating the 97 year-old birthday of legendary twin-city performer, James Samuel ‘Cornbread’ Harris Sr., his band of Friends and some very special guests!

**************************
Tapers notes: Always great seeing Cornbread, he's still going strong, sounding as good as ever. I would highly recommend anyone who hasn't seen him yet, make it a point to before it's too late. Not often you get to see a living legend at 97 still out there playing shows.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I’m travelin’ light and I’m slow coming home"

Cornbread Harris- Live at Icehouse, Minneapolis, MN- 2/25/23

Cornbread Harris
Icehouse
Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 25th, 2023

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS284)

Lineage: Audience Recording using Zoom H2 internal mics > SD Card > PC > Mastered in Adobe Audition > Track splitting using CD Wave Editor > Compressed to FLAC Level 8 using dBpoweramp > Tagged with MP3 Tag

-Feel free to re-master, share freely anywhere else, convert to MP3, just never ever sell it. Also, if you like this show, please support the artist by buying/streaming their music, buying a ticket to a show or buying merch.

More pictures here: Link

Set 1

1. Intro

2. Blue Blue Blue > Monk's Blues

3. Deeper Blues

4. ?

5. Cherry Red (Big Joe Turner cover)

6. When I Been Drinking (Big Bill Broonzy cover)

7. Intermission Riff

Set 2

1. Shipwrecked Blues (Clara Smith cover)

2. Country Boy Blues (Lil Green cover)

3. Night Train (Jimmy Forrest cover)

4. Put the World (Back Together)

5. Intermission Riff

6. ?

Set 3

1. ?

2. See See Rider Blues ('Ma' Rainey & Her Georgia Jazz Band cover)

3. ?

4. ?

5. Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra cover)

6. ?

7. Intermission Riff

8. ?

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Jr- Piano and Vocals

Steve Clarke- Saxophone, Clarinet

Scott Soule- Bass

Rocko Bolero- Guitar

?- Drums

Archive.org / Google Drive

Cornbread Harris- Live at Icehouse, Minneapolis, MN- 1/28/23

Cornbread Harris
Icehouse
Minneapolis, MN
Jan. 28th, 2023

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS278)

Lineage: Audience Recording using Zoom H2 internal mics > SD Card > PC > Mastered in Adobe Audition > Track splitting using CD Wave Editor > Compressed to FLAC Level 8 using dBpoweramp > Tagged with MP3 Tag

-Feel free to re-master, share freely anywhere else, convert to MP3, just never ever sell it. Also, if you like this show, please support the artist by buying/streaming their music, buying a ticket to a show or buying merch.

More pictures here: Link

Set 1

1. Blue Blue Blue > Monk's Blues

2. Deeper Blues

3. ?

4. In the Dark (Lil Green cover)

5. Night Train (Jimmy Forrest cover)

6. Intermission Riff

Set 2

1. Cherry Red (Big Joe Turner cover)

2. When I Been Drinking (Big Bill Broonzy cover)

3. Shipwrecked Blues(Clara Smith cover)

4. Did You Ever

5. Country Boy Blues (Lil Green cover)

6. Intermission Riff

Set 3

1. Organ Grinder Blues (Clarence Williams cover)

2. Candy Man

3. Cool Rider

4. ?

5. It Seems Like a Dream (Yank Rachell cover)

6. Intermission Riff

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Jr- Piano and Vocals

Steve Clarke- Saxophone, Clarinet

Scott Soule- Bass

Rocko Bolero- Guitar

Douglas Hill- Drums

Archive.org / Google Drive

James Samuel "Cornbread" Harris Sr. 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. His message and beautiful spirit is exactly what we need, now.

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Tapers notes: I've had Cornbread Harris on my "bucket list" of musicians to see for a while, but thanks to Covid that got pushed back a couple years. I wasn't sure what to expect from him at 95 years old, and I was worried when I got there and he had to be helped on to the stage and up to the piano. But, my fears were put to rest once he started playing, he was playing the piano like a man half his age. Sound is pretty decent here, I was able to set up on the upper level in direct line of the speaker.