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| Harry James |
He was the best trumpet player during the Big Band Era. Harry James
was
known for his technical proficiency, amazing high register, and swinging style.
Harry
Haag James was born in Albany, Georgia on March 15, 1916 to Everett R. James, a
circus bandleader, and Maybelle Stewart Clark James, a trapeze artist. Both
performed with the Mighty Haag Circus. By the age of 8, his father was teaching
him how to play the trumpet, and at 12, Harry was playing his trumpet and
leading the second band in the Christy Brothers Circus.
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| Ben Pollack Orchestra |
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| Benny Goodman Orchestra |
His
first gig was with the Ben Pollack Orchestra, a nationally known band. In 1936, James
joined one of the nation’s most popular Swing Bands, The Benny Goodman
Orchestra, and performed on the hit recordings of Sing, Sing, Sing and One O’Clock Jump.
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| Frank Sinatra |
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| Harry James & His Music Makers |
Three
years later he was ready to go out with his own band; Harry James and His Music
Makers. They took to the stage in Philadelphia and swung the crowd. Shortly
thereafter he hired then unknown Frank Sinatra as a vocalist for the group.
James also helped launch the career of female Big Band singer, Helen Forrest
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| Harry James |
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| Playing for the Crowds |
In
1941, James changed the sound of the band from the fast-paced Swing music to
Sweet music, which had strings and was more in the style of ballads. The results were immediate; in April
1941 his self-written instrumental Music Makers was in the Top 10, followed by Lament to Love in August. The week of December 7, 1941, You
Made Me Love You was in the Top 5,
the record that would make him a star.
You Made Me Love You - Harry
James and His Music Makers with Helen Forrest on vocals.
Opening from the movie “Private Buckaroo” 1942
By
1942, his band was second to Glenn Miller’s as the most successful recording
artist of the year. When Miller went into the Armed Forces, he handed over
the reigns to the popular Chesterfield Time Radio Program to James and his Band.
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| Harry James & His Trumpet |
Harry
James and His Music Makers had 40
hit singles including Ain’t She Sweet, Cry Me a River, Flight of the
Bumblebee, and (Up a) Lazy
River. James was one of the most
popular Big Band leaders during the early 40’s, but disbanded the group at the
end of 1946 due to a lack of income and the waning interest in Big Band
music. But he continued to perform
and appeared in numerous Hollywood movies.
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| Harry James Show |
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| Harry James |
In
1947, James formed a jazz group also known as Harry James and His Music
Makers. By 1951, he had his own
television show, The Harry James Show.
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| The James Family |
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| Betty Grable |
James
was married four times, most notably to WW II pin-up girl Betty Grable on July
5, 1943. Their marriage lasted for over 20 years and they had two children.
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| Harry James |
James played his trumpet in the jazz style until the early 80’s. Diagnosed with
lymphatic cancer in 1983, he continued to perform. He made his last appearance on stage nine days before his
death.
Harry
James died on July 5, 1983 while on tour in Las Vegas. He was 67 years old. He is interred at
Bunkers Eden Vale Cemetery in the Chapel of Eternal Peace in Las Vegas.
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| Harry Haag James |
Regarding
his eminent death, James said, "Let
it just be said that I went up to do a one-nighter with Archangel
Gabriel."
~
Joy
Harry
Haag James was born in Albany, Georgia on March 15, 1916 to Everett R. James, a
circus bandleader, and Maybelle Stewart Clark James, a trapeze artist. Both
performed with the Mighty Haag Circus. By the age of 8, his father was teaching
him how to play the trumpet, and at 12, Harry was playing his trumpet and
leading the second band in the Christy Brothers Circus.
By
1942, his band was second to Glenn Miller’s as the most successful recording
artist of the year. When Miller went into the Armed Forces, he handed over
the reigns to the popular Chesterfield Time Radio Program to James and his Band. 
Harry
James and His Music Makers had 40
hit singles including Ain’t She Sweet, Cry Me a River, Flight of the
Bumblebee, and (Up a) Lazy
River. James was one of the most
popular Big Band leaders during the early 40’s, but disbanded the group at the
end of 1946 due to a lack of income and the waning interest in Big Band
music. But he continued to perform
and appeared in numerous Hollywood movies. 
Harry
James died on July 5, 1983 while on tour in Las Vegas. He was 67 years old. He is interred at
Bunkers Eden Vale Cemetery in the Chapel of Eternal Peace in Las Vegas.
Great bit of research there and I have heard of the guy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill! I had a dear, dear friend who played in the Big Bands and knew James; said he was a "swell guy."
ReplyDeleteAnother great article! Very well researched. I am a big fan of Glenn Miller and all of the great band leaders during the Big Band era. I will have to add some Harry Haag James to my Spotify playlist. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John. I love Glenn Miller and the Andrew Sisters, Benny Goodman..... Definitely check out Harry James, both his Big Band and Jazz music.
Delete