Grammy-Winning Music Producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Spoke at North Community High School

   January 31st, 2018             Client News

Home for the Super Bowl Live 10-day concert series, the duo connect with the community at Lewis’ alma mater, giving back to the place where it all began.

The iconic songwriting and record production team, James Samuel “Jimmy Jam” Harris III and Terry S. Lewis, will visit with students from North Community High School (1500 James Ave N., Minneapolis, MN 55411) on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.  When the opportunity to return to Minneapolis to curate a 10-day music festival arose, community engagement was at the top of their to-do list. North is Lewis’ alma mater and presented a perfect opportunity for the duo, known for solidifying the careers of artists across many genres, to give back to the community that launched their 30-year career.

“I want these kids to know that I am (we are) their story and that anything is possible because I was once in the exact same place that they are today, as a student in this exact school,” said Lewis. “It’s very important for us to keep in touch with the community. We want to lend strength, hope and inspiration to these kids so we can hear what their aspirations and hopes are and support them in achieving their dreams…we want to be there for them.”

In addition to speaking to the student body, Jam and Lewis will be interviewed by Journalism students for the community publication, produced for the entire Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) system, and tour Jazz88.FM-KBEM, a self-supporting station licensed to MPS. Jam and Lewis learned of the program and became even more intrigued after learning that students participate in KBEM’s hands-on educational program, focusing on all aspects of broadcasting and production. Traditionally the program is made up of North High students, but the School News segment incorporates students from around the city, and summer employees through the Step-Up program.

“Education is the core of why Terry and I met,” said Harris. “I grew up on the south side of town, but the north side of town is really what raised me, in fact, North High School was a common thread for so many of us, even if we didn’t attend there. So, it will be great to go back, see the school and students, especially to see the radio station! I was once a DJ, so it will be exciting to experience this portion of the students’ education.”

Jam and Lewis will speak to the student body at 09:30 a.m. The student-led program will include a question and answer session where students have a chance to ask the two about their career.

Additional program participants Mayor Jacob Frey and others to be announced.

About Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

James Samuel “Jimmy Jam” Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an iconic songwriting and record production team known for solidifying the careers of artists across many genres. They have enjoyed great success since the 1980s writing 31 top ten hits in the UK and 41 in the US.

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. In addition to more than 100 ASCAP songwriting and publishing awards, Jam & Lewis have won five GRAMMY® Awards.

JIMMY JAM ONLINE PLATFORMS:

Twitter/Instagram – @FlyteTymeJam

TERRY LEWIS ONLINE PLATFORMS:

Twitter – @TLSoundOff

Hashtags – #JimmyJam #TerryLewis #FlyteTyme #SBLII #SuperBowlLive #NorthHigh #PolarPride

ADDITIONAL BRAND PLATFORMS:

@MNSuperBowl2018