Corey Harris

Basic City Taproom open 3pm
Foundry doors open 6:30pm
Music starts 8pm

"Corey Harris, a prodigious guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader, was born in
Denver, Colorado to parents from Texas and Kentucky. His musical journey began as a
street singer in the vibrant city of New Orleans, and from there, he embarked on a
transformative exploration of the blues throughout the southern United States. A year
spent in Cameroon, West Africa during his early twenties had a profound impact on his
artistic development, shaping his unique approach to the blues.
Harris's musical prowess extends beyond traditional blues as he fearlessly integrates
influences from reggae, soul, rock, and West African music into his compositions. His
ability to honor the roots of the blues while infusing it with his own inventive style is
exemplified in his acclaimed albums.
"Between Midnight and Day" (1995) pays homage
to acoustic blues traditions, while "Greens From the Garden" (1999),
"Mississippi to Mali"
(2003), and "Daily Bread" (2005) showcase his evolution into a skilled songwriter. Some
of his compositions exhibit deliberate eclecticism, while others stay true to the raw
essence of compelling vocals and guitar that define the traditional blues.
Throughout his illustrious career, Corey Harris has shared stages, recorded, and toured
with an esteemed array of musicians, including BB King, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Henry
Butler, R.L. Burnside, John Jackson, Ali Farka Toure, Dave Matthews Band, Tracy
Chapman, Olu Dara, Wilco, and Natalie Merchant. Notably, Harris's talent caught the
attention of renowned filmmaker Martin Scorcese, who featured him as an artist and
narrator in the critically acclaimed documentary "Feel Like Going Home" (2003),
tracing the blues from its origins in West Africa to the southern United States.
Harris's exceptional contributions to the blues genre have been recognized and
celebrated. In 2007, he was honored with a MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known
as the "genius grant,
" for his innovative and eclectic approach to music. This prestigious
grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation acknowledged Harris
as an artist who fearlessly forges new paths. In the same year, he received an honorary
Doctor of Music degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.
With his enduring dedication to pushing the boundaries of the blues, Corey Harris
continues to create music that blends tradition and innovation. His albums, including
"Insurrection Blues" (2021),
"Free Waterway" (2019),
"Live at New Orleans Jazz Fest"
(2016),
"Live in Vienna Austria" (2016), and "Live on Turtle Island" (2015), serve as
testaments to his unwavering artistry and the ever-evolving nature of his musical
expression.