Jimmy Jam, the renowned Minneapolis-born producer and songwriter, returned to his roots on September 29, 2023, to receive an honorary high school diploma from Minneapolis Washburn High School. This recognition came during the school’s 100th anniversary celebrations, marking a significant moment in Jam’s impressive career.
Principal Emily Lilja Palmer introduced Jam, known as James Samuel Harris III, as a distinguished alumnus of the Class of 1977. Although he dropped out after his junior year to pursue music, his contributions to the industry are noteworthy. Jam’s accolades include induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with five Grammy Awards.
During the ceremony, Jam humorously noted that he had a never-before-worn orange necktie, fitting for Washburn’s colors of orange and blue. “I couldn’t think of a better place to wear orange, right?” he remarked. He credited the school as the foundation of his musical journey, recalling how he spent significant time in his counselor’s office, where he first began writing songs.
Reflecting on his decision to leave high school, Jam mentioned his initial fear of disappointing his mother, an early childhood educator. Yet, she encouraged him, saying, “As long as I see you really going for it, it’s OK with me.” He recalled that moment fondly, stating, “In 1987, she was my date for the Grammys. My feeling was she never got to see me walk across the graduation stage, but she did get to see me walk across the Grammy stage, which in a way was a bit of a graduation.”
After receiving the diploma, Jam shared his excitement with his father, Cornbread Harris, who is 98 years old. “It feels surreal,” Jam told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “This is something that I never expected. Even when I got the call that they wanted to do something, it still wasn’t real to me.”
At 66 years old, Jam expressed that this honorary diploma ranked at the top of his accolades. “Right now it ranks at No. 1 because it’s the most recent and certainly the most unexpected,” he stated. He described the experience as a culmination of many significant moments in his life, especially with his father present.
Jam also had the opportunity to reconnect with former classmates from his time at Washburn, including a friend who played trumpet in his band and another who shared experiences in youth sports. He acknowledged the irony of receiving a high school diploma after already being awarded an honorary doctorate from Monmouth University, where he had spoken at their commencement.
Over the course of his career, Jam and his musical partner, Terry Lewis, have produced 16 No. 1 pop songs for artists such as Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Human League. Their work places them among the top three songwriters in history, behind only Max Martin and George Martin for total No. 1 hits.
Two years prior, Principal Palmer had reached out to Jam while planning the centennial celebration. During their conversation, she learned that he had never received a diploma. Following the ceremony, Jam is scheduled to speak again on October 1, 2023, alongside Robert Cabana, a former astronaut and Class of 1967 graduate.
This honorary diploma not only acknowledges Jam’s past but also celebrates his lasting impact on the music industry, demonstrating the power of following one’s passion and the importance of returning to one’s roots.
