The Pace Report: "50 Years of Friendship and Hits" The Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Interview
Welcome to this special edition of The Pace Report Live from the 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival.

James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis have been one of the most important producer/songwriting teams in the last 30 years. The 2022 Rock and Roll Hall and Fame inductees have produced and written 41 top ten hits and sold over 40 million records. Their collaborations with The SOS Band, Herb Alpert, Chaka Khan, Cherrelle, Alexander O'Neal, Yolanda Adams, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, New Edition, Mariah Carey, Sounds of Blackness, Eric Benet, Boyz II Men, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, and Usher have etched their names as some of the most prolific producers in the business.

50 years ago both Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis met while attending the Upward Bound program on the University of Minnesota campus. The two would connect musically and become lifelong musical partners. The band Flyte Tyme was one of the top funk and R&B band's in their native Minneapolis that featured vocalist Cynthia Johnson, Jimmie Anderson on saxophone, Gerry "Jellybean" Johnson on drums, Troy Johnson on guitar, Monte Moir and Jimmy Jam on keyboards, and Terry Lewis on Bass. In 1981 Flyte Tyme became The Time. Prince, who also a major recording star and producer, then stepped in and added drummer Morris Day as the new vocalist and Jessie Johnson on guitar. After the second Time recording, Prince fired Jimmy and Terry and started their production and then record label Flyte Tyme.

Through the mentorship of record executive Clarance Avant, Jimmy and Terry's production work began under Avant's label, Tabu. They also were hired by record executive and label founder Dick Griffey to produce for Solar Records. Early on, Jimmy and Terry produced what are now iconic hits for The S.O.S Band, Change, Alexander O'Neal, and Cherrelle.

For the first time in 50 years, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis made their debut as headlining act at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. This is the first the two have performed their music in front of an audience. Their show features some of acts they've produced including Cherrelle, Ann Nesby, Crystal Kay, and Kevin Ford.

In this 800th episode of The Pace Report, Paceface sits down with Jimmy and Terry to reflect in their 50 years of friendship and hits. Discuss the life of the legendary Clarence Avant and Jerry Moss of A&M Records, their role as record producers, and their musical influences.

For more info on Jimmy and Terry's upcoming tour dates and releases please visit them online at Facebook.com/JimmyJamandTerryLewisOfficial and Instagram.com/OfficialJamandLewis

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