James D. Harris (1921 - 1990)

Born 12 Apr 1921 in Earle, Crittenden, Arkansas, United States

Died 2 Mar 1990 at age 68 in Forrest City, St. Francis, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

James Harris is Notable.

James D. Harris, also known under his nickname "Shakey Jake", is an American Chicago blues singer, harmonicist and songwriter. He released five albums over twenty-five years.^[1]

James D. Harris was born on April 12, 1921 in Earle, Crittenden County, Arkansas. His father was William "Willie" Harris, and his mother was Lizzie (Wren) Harris.^[2] Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. There he played in several Chicago blues bands in the late 1940s. He also worked as a mechanic and professional gambler, which is where he got his nickname from a dice players' expression "shake em".^[1]

He returned to Arkansas for a period, and in 1942 he lived in West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas.^[3] In 1958, he had his debut recording released by Artistic Records with a single Call Me if You Need Me, and with Roll Your Moneymaker.^[1]

In 1960, he teamed with Bluesville Records, jazz musicians Jack McDuff and Bill Jennings, who produced the album Good Times. He later recorded Mouth Harp Blues, which was more of a traditional style of blues. With these releases, he toured the USA as part of the American Folk Blues Festival tour. He appeared regularly in concerts and released another album 'Further On Up' in the late 1960s. Known for playing the harmonica, he also played with other musicians, such as William Clarke.^[1] He later recorded for World Pacific and in his own label and a nightclub he owned. As his health began to fail, he moved back to Arkansas. He died on March 2, 1990 in Forrest City, St. Francis County.^[1][4]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Wikipedia Contributors. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, last edited on 14 Aug 2022. "James D. 'Shakey Jake' Harris." Accessed 4 Jun 2023.
2. ↑ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007: Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. Ancestry Record 60901 #25929719
3. ↑ U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: The National Archives at Fort Worth, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For Arkansas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147 Ancestry Record 2238 #14954652
4. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #25799262