Minnesota music legend Cornbread Harris, age 98, sings and performs his unique brand of blues on piano with a full backing band in a historic night at Sacred Heart Music Center.

Born in Chicago and raised in St. Paul, Harris began entertaining on piano while in the U.S. Army at a World War II recreation center. Following the war, he joined a band led by Augie Garcia, recording Minnesota’s first rock and roll hit “Hi-Yo Silver.” The group famously opened Elvis Presley’s first Twin Cities concert in 1956.

Harris has performed solo jazz and blues piano regularly in Twin Cities nightclubs and bars for decades. He is the father of musician and Grammy-winning producer “Jimmy Jam” Harris.

Biographer Andrea Swensson will discuss her 2024 University of Minnesota Press book Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs, and Salvation of Cornbread Harris prior to the show with Duluth New Tribune arts and entertainment reporter Jay Gabler.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Advance E-tickets will are for $20 (plus $3.18 in fees) on Eventbrite HERE . Paper tickets are available for $20 at Zenith Bookstore in West Duluth (plus $1 handling fee) and at Globe News in Superior (cash only). Tickets will be available at the door for $25 while supply lasts. Doors at 6. Music at 7.