corey harris

Biography

Corey Harris is an acclaimed American blues and reggae musician, born on February 21, 1969, in Denver, Colorado. He began playing guitar at age 12, inspired by his mother's Lightnin' Hopkins records, and developed his vocal skills singing in church choirs. Harris attended Bates College in Maine, majoring in anthropology, and received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to study African linguistics in Cameroon. His time in West Africa profoundly shaped his musical approach, infusing his blues with African polyrhythms and reggae influences.

Harris started his career as a street singer in New Orleans, quickly gaining a reputation for his mastery of acoustic Delta blues. His debut album, 'Between Midnight and Day' (1995), showcased his ability to interpret classic blues, while subsequent releases such as 'Fish Ain't Bitin'' (1997) and 'Greens from the Garden' (1999) demonstrated his evolution into a songwriter who blended blues, funk, R&B, reggae, and hip-hop. Harris's 2002 collaboration with Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré on 'Mississippi to Mali' exemplifies his commitment to bridging African and American musical traditions.

Throughout his career, Harris has toured internationally and collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Billy Bragg, Wilco, and Natalie Merchant. He is recognized for revitalizing country blues with a modern sensibility, earning accolades such as the W.C. Handy Award for Best Acoustic Blues Album and a MacArthur Fellowship in 2007. Harris's legacy lies in his innovative fusion of genres and his role in the contemporary revival of acoustic blues.

Fun Facts

• Corey Harris received a MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowship in 2007 for his innovative work in blues music.
• He contributed to the PBS television mini-series 'The Blues,' directed by Martin Scorsese, in 2003.
• Harris holds an honorary doctorate from Bates College, where he studied anthropology.
• He began his career as a street singer in New Orleans before earning a record deal.

Associated Acts

• Corey Harris & The 5X5

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Lightnin' Hopkins - early inspiration from his mother's record collection (general stylistic influence) [childhood]
• African musicians in Cameroon - studied African music and linguistics during fellowship (influence on polyrhythms and musical style) [early 1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Ali Farka Touré - collaborated on fusion of blues and Malian music (Mississippi to Mali) [2002]
• Billy Bragg & Wilco - helped write and perform on Woody Guthrie tribute albums (Mermaid Avenue Vol. I, II, III) [late 1990s–2000s]
• Natalie Merchant - opened for her on tour (touring collaboration) [mid-1990s]

Artists Influenced

• Keb' Mo' - contemporary acoustic blues revivalist, peer influence (general stylistic influence) [1990s–present]
• Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart - part of modern acoustic blues movement (general stylistic influence) [1990s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning (Between Midnight And Day)
2. Fish Ain't Bitin' (Fish Ain't Bitin')
3. Roots Woman (Between Midnight And Day)
4. High Fever Blues (Fish Ain't Bitin')
5. Mama Got Worried (Fish Ain't Bitin')
6. You've Got To Move (Fish Ain't Bitin')
7. Early In The Morning (Between Midnight And Day)
8. Catfish Blues (Between Midnight And Day)
9. Take Me Back (Fish Ain't Bitin')
10. God Don't Ever Change (Fish Ain't Bitin')

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues, #delta-blues, #reggae