Everything about Harry James totally explained
Harry Haag James (
March 15,
1916 –
July 5,
1983) was a popular
American musician and
band leader, and a well-known
trumpet virtuoso.
Biography
Early life
Harry James was born in
Albany, Georgia, the son of a band leader of a traveling
circus. By the age of 10 he was taking trumpet lessons from his father, who placed him on a strict daily practice schedule. Each day, James was given one page to learn from the
Arban's book and wasn't allowed to pursue any other pastime until he'd learned that particular page.
In
1931 the family settled in
Beaumont, Texas where James began playing with local dance bands.
Career
He joined the nationally popular
Ben Pollack in
1935 and, at the start of
1937, left Pollack to join
Benny Goodman's orchestra, where he stayed through 1938.His hit "You Made Me Love You" was in the top 6 during the week of December 7,1941.
In February of
1939 James debuted his own
big band in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He toured with the band into the
1980s. His was the first "name band" to employ vocalist
Frank Sinatra, in 1939. He wanted to change Sinatra's name to "Frankie Satin" but Sinatra refused. His later band included
Buddy Rich.
He played trumpet in the
1950 film Young Man with a Horn, dubbing
Kirk Douglas. James' recording of "
I'm Beginning to See the Light" appears in the motion picture
My Dog Skip (
2000). His music is also featured in the
Woody Allen movie
Hannah and Her Sisters. James recorded many popular records and appeared in many
Hollywood movies.
Personal life
James was married four times. In
1935, he married Louise Tobin. They remained married until 1943. In
1943 he married actress
Betty Grable. His second marriage lasted until
1965. He then married a
Las Vegas showgirl, Joan Boyd. His fourth wife's name is unknown.
Thoroughbred horse racing
James owned several
thoroughbred racehorses that won races such as the
California Breeders' Champion Stakes (1951) and the
San Vicente Stakes (1954). He was also a founding investor in the
Atlantic City Race Course.
His knowledge of horse racing was demonstrated during a 1959 appearance on the
Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour entitled "Lucy Wins A Racehorse."
In
1983, James, a long-time heavy smoker, was diagnosed with
lymphatic cancer, but he continued to work, playing his last professional job on
26 June,
1983 in
Los Angeles just nine days before his death in
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Movie appearances
- Bathing Beauty
- Best Foot Forward
- Two Girls and a Sailor
- Springtime in the Rockies
- If I'm Lucky
- Do You Love Me
- I'll Get By
- Outlaw Queen
- Greedy
- Private Buckaroo
- The Benny Goodman Story
Hit songs
Sing Sing Sing
One O'Clock Jump
Life Goes to a Party
I've Heard That Song Before
Velvet Moon
You Made Me Love You
All Or Nothing At All (first recording of Frank Sinatra)
Trumpet Blues and Cantabile
Boo-Woo and Woo-Woo
Sleepy Lagoon
The Mole
Gallery
Image:Harry_James_1970.jpg|From left: Stan "Cuddles" Johnson, Fraser MacPherson, Bob Smith, Harry James, Al Johnson, Stew Barnett. (The Cave Supper Club, May 1970)
Further Information
Get more info on 'Harry James'.
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