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Harry James
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One of the most popular bandleaders of the wartime era, Harry James is best remembered today for his colorful trumpet playing and as the husband of pin-up girl Betty Grable. Born in a run-down hotel next to the city jail in Albany, Georgia, Harry's parents were circus performers -- his mother a trapeze artist and his father the bandleader.
James began playing drums at age seven and took up the trumpet at ten, performing for the Christy Brothers circus band. James' family later settled in Beaumont, Texas, and he began playing for local dance bands while in high school. In 1935 he joined Ben Pollack's orchestra, leaving in December 1936 for Benny Goodman. During his time with Goodman, James became very popular with the jazz crowd for his colorful, ear-shattering, trumpet playing. He became so popular that when he decided to leave Goodman in December 1938 to form his own band Goodman himself financed the outfit.
Perfection: Harry James in the Late '50s/Early '60s
Two big bands that knock me out from the late 1950s and early 1960s are the ones led by Count Basie and Harry James. Both could swing the house sideways, but both knew when enough was enough. Basie, of course, invented the concept of just enough, but James's decade-straddling band is often overlooked for the same ...
George Coleman, Reggie Watkins, Leon Anderson & Sean Nelson
by Joe Dimino
The 899th episode of Neon Jazz kicks off with a blast of energy, as trombonist Sean Nelson leads the charge with the New London Big Band, setting the tone with a fiery track from his brand-new 2025 album, Don't Stop Now. From there, we pay tribute to one of Sean's greatest inspirations--the legendary Harry James--before diving ...
The Cinderella So Few Got to Hear: Late Artie Shaw is the Best Artie Shaw
by Richard J Salvucci
Artie Shaw will always be a bit of a puzzle to his fans--"morons, “ as he once characterized some of us. The best band he ever fronted, and said so more than once, was his 1949-50 “bop" band. Benny Goodman had a similar outfit around the same time, which, like Shaw's, featured excellent young musicians who ...
Chet Baker: A Conversation in 1977
by Rob Rosenblum
This interview took place in 1975 when Baker was making frequent trips to the Albany, New York area. At the time of this interview Baker, was playing with saxophonist Nick Brignola at Shaker's Steak House in Troy, N.Y. Back in the early 1950's, a young trumpet player whose personal appearance and demeanor was more ...
About Harry James and His Orchestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
Results for pages tagged "Harry James"...
Harry James and His Orchestra
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Harry James' orchestra, formed in 1939, was one of the prominent big bands of the swing era. Initially a section leader in Benny Goodman's band, James quickly established his own ensemble, which became known for its vibrant brass section and energetic performances. The band featured notable soloists, including vocalists like Frank Sinatra and Helen Forrest and instrumentalists such as saxophonist Corky Corcoran, and achieved commercial success with hits like "You Made Me Love You" and "I Had the Craziest Dream." Known for its solid blend of jazz and popular music, Harry James' orchestra remained a significant presence in the swing and big band scene throughout the 1940s and beyond, adapting to changing musical tastes while maintaining its distinctive style.
The Lyrics They Are 'A Changing: Lyrical Liberties In "Lover, Come Back To Me" And "Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise"
by Alex Segal
Frank Sinatra's greatness is evident in his making the songs he sang his own. And his doing this is connected to his, on occasion, changing the lyric of a song--even a very good lyric. But according to good anecdotal evidence, Cole Porter and Ira Gershwin--suppliers of some of the best lyrics Sinatra sang--did not take kindly ...
Monterey Jazz Festival: Forty Legendary Years
by Joel Roberts
Monterey Jazz Festival: 40 Legendary Years William Minor and Bill Wishner 176 pages ISBN: 0-883318-40-8 Angel City Press 1997 The opening night of the first Monterey Jazz Festival in 1958 featured performances by Gerry Mulligan, Max Roach, Dave Brubeck, Cal Tjader, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Harry James, and, just ...
Jazz Musician of the Day: Claudio Roditi
All About Jazz is celebrating Claudio Roditi's birthday today! This Brazilian composer/arranger and trumpet artist has fourteen critically acclaimed albums, a Grammy nomination, and a busy international touring schedule that includes the most prestigious jazz festivals in the world. Claudio Roditi was born May 28th, 1946 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began his musical studies ...
Harry James, Quentin Baxter & Enrico Pieranunzi
by Joe Dimino
Italian pianist Enrico Pieranunzi kicks off the 766th Episode of Neon Jazz with music from is release New Visions (2019). We follow that up with music from Pieranunzi's early collaborator, trumpeter Chet Baker. As 2022 marches on, many artists are releasing albums and touring post-COVID restrictions. We profile new music from Quentin E. Baxter, John Lee, ...
