Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis | |
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James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III (born June 6, 1959) [2] and Terry Steven Lewis (born November 24, 1956) [3] are an American R&B/pop songwriting and record production team. [4] Their productions have received commercial success since the 1980s with various artists, most extensively Janet Jackson. [5] They have written 31 top ten hits in the UK and 41 in the US. [6] In 2022, the duo were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Musical Excellence category. [7] [8]
Jimmy Jam is the son of Cornbread Harris, a Minneapolis blues and jazz musician. Jimmy Jam met Lewis while attending an Upward Bound program on the University of Minnesota campus. [5] [9]
In the mid 1970s, Harris formed or joined Mind & Matter, an 11 piece band. [10]
Lewis had been in the band Flyt Tyme, which Harris joined late in its history and which Prince restructured as the Time in 1981. [9] As members of the Time, they played instruments on all but one of the group's five albums (Ice Cream Castle [11] ), including Condensate which the group recorded as the Original 7ven. [12] [13] [14] [15]
In 1982, Jam and Lewis were introduced to music executive Dina R. Andrews, who was then an employee of Dick Griffey's SOLAR Records, where they would be mentored by record producer Leon Sylvers III. [9] The pair asked Andrews to manage them, and through her relationships, Andrews first introduced the duo to Clarence Avant. [9] They produced their first work for Avant for the S.O.S. Band. [9] Andrews set up Jam and Lewis's company Flyte Tyme Productions and shopped them to her music industry colleagues. Jam and Lewis went on to produce several other acts for Avant under Dina Andrews Management for the S.O.S. Band, Cherrelle, Alexander O'Neal and Change. [9] Additionally, Andrews shopped the duo to many of the executives and artists who used her services, such as Klymaxx, Cheryl Lynn ("Encore"), and executives such as A&M's John McClain (Janet Jackson). [16]
The pair were fired by Prince after a freak Atlanta blizzard left them unable to make a tour date during which they were, unbeknown to Prince, producing music for the S.O.S. Band. [16] [17] However, one of the Atlanta tracks, "Just Be Good to Me", became a hit and established the duo's reputation. [17] Jam and Lewis would rejoin the Time for two albums: 1990's Pandemonium and the 2011 album Condensate when the band went by the Original 7ven.
The duo was noted for early use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which was used in most of its productions. After working with other artists such as Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal, Jam and Lewis were introduced to Janet Jackson and produced her breakthrough album Control in 1986, [5] [17] for which the duo won a Grammy Award. Their collaboration on her next album, 1989's Rhythm Nation 1814 , proved even more successful as the album became one of the top-selling albums in history with four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits. Their collaboration continued and remained highly successful, especially on the Billboard 200 No.1 albums janet. , The Velvet Rope , All for You and Unbreakable .
In 1991, they founded a record label, Perspective Records, [16] [18] an A&M Records distributed label that has since been closed and then reactivated. Later that year, their newly minted label experienced success with the Minneapolis-based gospel/R&B group Sounds of Blackness. Their debut single, "Optimistic", served as a groundbreaking anthem stressing positivity and encouragement. The song served as a summer and fall anthem and began propelling Jam and Lewis' label. Other successes followed with Sounds of Blackness as well as releases from labelmates Mint Condition, Lo-Key? and Solo. In 1992, Perspective released the soundtrack for the film Mo Money , which starred Damon Wayans, Stacey Dash and Marlon Wayans. Executive produced by Jam and Lewis, the soundtrack featured songs by Mint Condition, Ralph Tresvant and Caron Wheeler, as well as a duet by Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross.
In 2003, Jam and Lewis moved their recording operations to Santa Monica, California naming it Flyte Tyme West, due to more opportunities for work and collaboration. [19] In 2006, they won a Grammy for Yolanda Adams' song "Be Blessed", from her 2005 album Day By Day. In 2007, Jam and Lewis produced the two-time Grammy Award-winning CD Funk This for Chaka Khan, which included the Award-winning R&B duet "Disrespectful", with Mary J. Blige.
The production duo reunited with the Time at the 50th Grammy Awards on February 10, 2008, in a medley that included the artist Rihanna, and featuring "Jungle Love". In June and July 2008, all of the original members of the Time (Morris Day, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jesse Johnson, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson, and Monte Moir) reunited once again for a series of shows at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
In a career that has spanned more than four decades, Jam and Lewis have worked with a multitude of artists, including Lionel Richie, Herb Alpert, TLC, Sounds of Blackness, Yolanda Adams, Jordan Knight, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Boyz II Men, Usher, Johnny Gill, Patti LaBelle, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Prince, Mýa, Bryan Adams, Snoop Dogg, Spice Girls, Vanessa Williams, George Michael, Melanie B, Rod Stewart, Kelly Price, Gwen Stefani, New Edition, Eric Benet, Pia Zadora, SOLO, and the Human League. [5]
Terry Lewis has two children from previous relationships; son Trey and daughter, Chloe. Lewis was married to R&B singer Karyn White; the couple had two children: son Brandon and daughter Ashley. He later married Indira Singh and had two children with her.
Jimmy Jam is married to Mexican-US businesswoman Lisa Padilla Harris; they have three children: Tyler, Max, and Bella. Jimmy served as chairman of the board of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is currently listed as chairman Emeritus.
Title | Studio album details | Peak chart positions | |
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US Sales [20] | UK Dig. [21] | ||
Jam & Lewis: Volume One [22] |
| 17 | 17 |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
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US R&B [23] | US Adult R&B [24] | US Gospel Airplay [25] | |||
"Til I Found You" (featuring Sounds of Blackness) [26] | 2019 | — | 22 | 21 | Jam & Lewis: Volume One |
"He Don’t Know Nothin’ Bout It" (featuring Babyface) [27] | 2020 | 16 | 4 | — | |
"Somewhat Loved" (featuring Mariah Carey) [28] | 2021 | — | 12 | — | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
They have produced 16 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, and 26 Billboard R&B No. 1 hits. [5]
They are among a handful of producers to have No. 1 records in three consecutive decades, with number ones in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. [29] [30]
They have had 41 songs reach the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, [31] and 31 in the top 10 in the UK. [6]
Since forming their music company Flyte Tyme in 1982, Jam & Lewis have earned more than 100 gold, platinum, multi-platinum and diamond albums for their work with such artists as Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross, Yolanda Adams, Herb Alpert, New Edition, Human League, George Michael, Earth, Wind and Fire, TLC, Robert Palmer, Gwen Stefani and Kanye West. [5] They have more than 100 ASCAP songwriting and publishing awards, [5] including several Songwriter of the Year awards. [32]
In 1993, Jam & Lewis were nominated with Janet Jackson for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Again", from the movie Poetic Justice .
In 2020 Jam & Lewis were nominated with Sheila E. for an Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for the TV special Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince.
Jam & Lewis have won five Grammy Awards. They have received more nominations for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical than any other producer, with 11 nominations. [33] They won the award in 1987 at the 29th Grammy Awards, in the first year they were nominated.
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 is the fourth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, released on September 19, 1989, by A&M Records. Although label executives wanted material similar to her previous album, Control (1986), Jackson insisted on creating a concept album addressing social issues. Collaborating with songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, she drew inspiration from various tragedies reported through news media, exploring racism, poverty, and substance abuse, in addition to themes of romance. Although its primary concept of a sociopolitical utopia was met with mixed reactions, its composition received critical acclaim. Jackson came to be considered a role model for youth because of her socially conscious lyrics.
Alexander O'Neal is an American R&B singer, songwriter and arranger from Natchez, Mississippi.
Control is the third studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, released on February 4, 1986, by A&M Records. Her collaborations with the songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis resulted in an unconventional sound: a fusion of rhythm and blues, rap vocals, funk, disco, and synthesized percussion that established Jackson, Jam and Lewis as the leading innovators of contemporary R&B. The distinctive triplet swing beat utilized on the record is also considered to be a precursor to the new jack swing genre. The album became Jackson's commercial breakthrough and enabled her to transition into the popular music market, with Control becoming one of the foremost albums of the 1980s and contemporary music.
"What Have You Done for Me Lately" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, Control (1986). Jackson co-wrote the song with its producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It was released on January 13, 1986, by A&M Records as the album's lead single. After two unsuccessful albums and a management change, the singer began developing a new album. "What Have You Done for Me Lately" was penned for one of Jam and Lewis's own records, but the lyrics were rewritten to convey Jackson's feelings about her recent separation from James DeBarge in January 1985. It revolves around a woman's frustration with her partner in a relationship.
"Miss You Much" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson. Composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it was recorded for the singer's fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). As with all tracks for the album, recording took place at Lewis and Jam's Flyte Tyme Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota between 1988 and 1989. Lyrically, the song narrates a longing to reconnect with a romantic partner after time spent apart.
"The Best Things in Life Are Free" is a duet between American singers Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson, recorded for the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced soundtrack to the 1992 American film Mo' Money, starring Damon Wayans. The song was composed by Jam, Lewis, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch. The song was released as the soundtrack's lead single on May 12, 1992, by Perspective Records and A&M Records. Additionally, the song was remixed by David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, and CJ Mackintosh. The duet became a major hit in several countries, peaking at number two in Australia and the United Kingdom, number six in Ireland and New Zealand, number eight in Canada and Germany, and number 10 in the United States. Its music video was directed by Paris Barclay, but didn't feature Vandross and Jackson. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
"Someone to Call My Lover" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her seventh studio album, All for You (2001). Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song was released as the album's second single on June 12, 2001, by Virgin Records. Using a guitar riff from America's "Ventura Highway" and the melody from Erik Satie's "Gymnopédie No. 1", "Someone to Call My Lover" talks about being determined to find a perfect match.
The Time, also known as Morris Day and the Time and The Original 7ven, is an American funk rock band founded in Minneapolis in 1981. They contributed to the development of the Minneapolis sound, an eclectic fusion of funk, R&B, new wave, synth-pop and dance. Led by singer-songwriter Morris Day the band members are known for having been close associates of musician Prince, and are arguably the most successful artists who have worked with him, achieving success with singles such as "Get It Up", "The Bird", "Cool", "777-9311", "Jungle Love" and "Jerk Out".
Contemporary R&B is a popular music genre that combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk, hip hop, and electronic music.
Garry George "Jellybean" Johnson is an American drummer, guitarist, songwriter, record producer and musician based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
"R&B Junkie" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her eighth studio album, Damita Jo (2004). Written by Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Tony "Prof T" Tolbert, Michael Jones and Nicholas Trevisick, the track was released as a promotional single in 2004 by Virgin Records. "R&B Junkie" is an upbeat song which has a "retro" feel consisting of 1980s soul, R&B, funk, dance-pop and synths, while it samples Evelyn King's 1981 song "I'm in Love"; it has "oh-oh-ohs" throughout the verses.
Lo-Key? is an American hip hop/R&B group that formed in Kansas City, Missouri and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their single, "I Got a Thang 4 Ya!" (1993), reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, and No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Cynthia Johnson is an American singer, songwriter and television personality. She is best known as the lead singer of the band Lipps Inc. with the worldwide smash hit "Funkytown".
Spencer Bernard is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. He is a long-time associate of hitmakers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and a part of the Flyte Tyme Productions crew. Throughout his career he has done session work for Janet Jackson, Cherrelle, Nona Hendryx, and New Edition. He also wrote songs for his wife Lisa Keith, Janet Jackson, and many others. He first joined Flyte Tyme while the bass player for Minneapolis-based band King's English.
"With U" is a song recorded by American singer Janet Jackson for her ninth studio album 20 Y.O. (2006). It was written by Johntá Austin, Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal Jr., James Harris III, and Terry Lewis, with production handled by the latter five. It was serviced exclusively to urban contemporary radio on December 11, 2006 as the third single from 20 Y.O. by Virgin Records.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back is the soundtrack to the 1998 film, How Stella Got Her Groove Back. It was released on August 11, 1998, through Flyte Tyme Records and consisted mainly of R&B music. The album was entirely produced by the production duo, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis with additional help from Wyclef Jean & Jerry Duplessis as well as Salaam Remi. The soundtrack peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200 albums chart and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and was certified gold on September 22, 1998, by the RIAA. Two singles were released from the album, "Luv Me, Luv Me" and "Beautiful".
Jam & Lewis: Volume One is the debut studio album by American R&B production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It was released through their label Flyte Tyme Records in conjunction with BMG on July 9, 2021.
"Somewhat Loved (There You Go Breakin' My Heart)" is a song by American production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis featuring American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, for the duo's debut studio album Jam & Lewis: Volume One (2021). It was released as the album's third single on June 10, 2021. The song peaked at number nine on the US Adult R&B Songs chart, and number 30 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
James Quentin "Big Jim" Wright was an American musician, composer, songwriter, film score and record producer. A member of the vocal and instrumental ensemble Sounds of Blackness, Wright became a frequent collaborator of production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and an in-house producer for their company, Flyte Tyme Productions, in the 1990s.
The Avila Brothers, composed of Bobby "Ahvlah" Ross Avila and Issiah "Iz" J. Avila, are an American R&B producing and songwriting duo best known for their numerous contributions to Usher projects, including 2004 album Confessions. The brothers later won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for their contributions to Chaka Khan album Funk This.
...at least two pioneers of the Minneapolis Sound also have ties to Fergus Falls — notably, music luminaries Jimmy Jam Harris (whose father is Cornbread Harris and mother is Bertha Tate Webster Harris) and André Cymone.