Corey Harris
Corey Harris burst onto the scene in 1995 with his debut recording Between Midnight and Day, an acclaimed exploration of acoustic, rural blues styles. His musical approach also encompasses New Orleans funk, reggae and, especially, African guitar styles. In his film, “Feel Like Going Home,” Martin Scorcese documents Corey's musical visits to Malian master musician Ali Farka Touré, a collaboration that became part of Corey's groundbreaking CD Mississippi to Mali.His other albums include Fish Ain't Bitin', Greens From the Garden, Downhome Sophisticate and Vu-Du Menz, recorded with piano legend Henry Butler.
In 2007, Corey was awarded a $500,000 MacArthur Fellowship – commonly referred to as a “genius award” – from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The annual grant, which recognizes individuals from a wide range of disciplines who show creativity, originality and commitment to continued innovative work, described Harris as an artist who “forges an adventurous path marked by deliberate eclecticism.” That same year, he was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine.
