Jazz Articles about Harry James

Trumpet Blues: The Life of Harry James

by R.J. DeLuke
March 8, 2004

Trumpet Blues: The Life of Harry James by Peter Levinson Oxford Univ Press 384pp. ISBN 0195110307

Miles Davis thought he was wonderful. Clark Terry said he could do it all. That’s a couple of pretty fair trumpet players talking about another.About Louis Armstrong?No.His name was Harry James and his fascinating and somewhat tragic story is told in “Trumpet Blues, The Life of Harry James,” by Peter J. Levinson ...

Harry James and His Orchestra: The Music Makers

by Jack Bowers
December 1, 2002

While the listener won’t find any crowd-pleasing hit songs on this album, he or she will be treated to more than seventy-four minutes of quite enjoyable music-making by ace trumpeter / bandleader Harry James and his orchestras (with three exceptions -- “Tuxedo Junction,” performed by a nonet, and quartet-only versions of “Sleepy Time Gal” and “The Man I Love”). This compilation surveys the period from 1939, shortly after James left the Benny Goodman Orchestra to form his own ensemble, through ...

Harry James Orchestra: Hotel Astor Roof, 1942

by Dave Nathan
March 1, 2001

1942 was a big year for Harry James. He and the band were beginning to be featured in Hollywood films, he had a highly ranked radio show and he was beginning his vigorous pursuit of Betty Grable. Tenor man Corky Corcoran had joined the band the previous October for what was to become a stay of more than 20 years. James is said to have hired Corcoran much as for his ability to play third base as his facility with ...

Gene Krupa and Harry James: The Complete Capitol Recordings Of Gene Krupa & Harry James

by C. Andrew Hovan
March 1, 2000

Those mail-order mavens at Mosaic have continued to quarry the Capitol vaults with new and blithe packages of the works of Bob Cooper, Frank Rosolino, Bill Holman, Peggy Lee, June Christy, and Jack Teagarden recently on the dock, not to mention the massive 12-disc compilation of rare Capitol sides from the pre-LP era. This latest perusal of the vaults brings to light some long-forgotten performances from drummer Gene Krupa and trumpeter Harry James on an attractive seven-disc boxed set.

Gene ...