SHAKEY JAKE

                               

Shakey Jake Harris (April 12, 1921 – March 2, 1990) was an American Chicago blues singer, harmonicist and songwriter. Harris released five albums over a period of almost 25 years, and he was often musically associated with his nephew, Magic Sam.

James D. Harris was born in Earle, Arkansas, but relocated with his family to Chicago, Illinois, at the age of seven. He played in several Chicago blues ensembles in the late 1940s. He also worked as a mechanic, and a professional gambler (from whence his nickname came - "Shake 'em"). His debut recording did not take place until 1958. His single, "Call Me If You Need Me" / "Roll Your Moneymaker", was released by Artistic Records, featured Magic Sam and Syl Johnson on guitar, and was produced by Willie Dixon. Harris was not paid for the session, but won $700 shooting craps with label owner Eli Toscano.

In 1960, Bluesville Records teamed Harris with the jazz musicians Jack McDuff and Bill Jennings, for the album Good Times. His later recording of Mouth Harp Blues returned to more traditional blues ground.Harris toured, and was part of the American Folk Blues Festival in 1962

Throughout the 1960s Harris and Sam appeared regularly in concert together around Chicago, and Harris's patronage of younger musicians helped secure Luther Allison's recording debut. Harris moved on in the late 1960s, and recorded with Allison in Los Angeles on Further on Up the Road.[3] He also played with other harmonica players, such as William Clarke.

Harris subsequently recorded for World Pacific. He also owned his own nightclub and a record label, but was forced by ill health to eventually return to Arkansas, where he died, at the age of 68, in March 1990

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James D. Harris va néixer a Earle, Arkansas, però es va traslladar amb la seva família a Chicago, Illinois, a l'edat de set anys. Va jugar en diversos conjunts de blues de Chicago en la dècada de 1940. També va treballar com mecànic, i un jugador professional (d'aquí el seu sobrenom vi - "Shake 'em"). La seva primera gravació no va tenir lloc fins a 1958. El seu single, "Llámame si em necessites" / "Roll Your Moneymaker", va ser llançat pel segell artístic, va comptar amb Magic Sam i Syl Johnson a la guitarra, i va ser produït per Willie Dixon. Harris no es va pagar per a la sessió, però va guanyar $ 700 donats xut amb etiqueta propietari Toscano Eli.

El 1960, els expedients Bluesville Harris es va unir amb els músics de jazz Jack McDuff i Bill Jennings, per a l'àlbum Good Times. El seu enregistrament més tard de Blues Harp Boca va tornar al blues més tradicional ground.Harris recórrer, i va ser part del Festival de Folk Blues americà el 1962

Al llarg de la dècada de 1960 i Sam Harris va aparèixer regularment en concert junts al voltant de Chicago, i el patrocini de Harris dels músics més joves van ajudar debut segur Luther Allison de gravació. Harris es va traslladar a finals de 1960, i va gravar amb Allison a Los Angeles, el major a la carretera. [3] Ell també va jugar amb altres jugadors de l'harmònica, com William Clarke.

Harris, registrant posteriorment per Pacific World. També era amo del seu propi club nocturn i un segell discogràfic, però es va veure obligat per la mala salut per eventualment tornar a Arkansas, on va morir, a l'edat de 68 anys el març de 1990