29 Facts About Harry James

Harry Haag James was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band from 1939 to 1946.

Harry James broke up his band for a short period in 1947, but shortly after he reorganized and was active again with his band from then until his death in 1983.

Harry James was especially known among musicians for his technical proficiency as well as his tone, and was influential on new trumpet players from the late 1930s into the 1940s.

Harry James was an actor in a number of films that usually featured his band.

Harry James started performing with the circus at an early age, first as a contortionist at the age of four, then playing the snare drum in the band from about the age of six.

Harry James started taking trumpet lessons from his father at age eight, and by age twelve he was leading the second band in the Christy Brothers Circus, for which his family was then working.

Harry James's father placed him on a strict daily practice schedule.

Harry James played regularly with Herman Waldman's band, and at one performance was noticed by nationally popular Ben Pollack.

Harry James was nicknamed "The Hawk" early in his career for his ability to sight-read.

James toured with the band into the 1980s, and as of July 2018 the Harry James Orchestra, led by Fred Radke, was still very much in business.

Harry James' band was the first high-profile orchestra to feature vocalist Frank Sinatra, who signed a one-year, $75 a week contract with it in 1939.

The Harry James band's featured female vocalist was Helen Forrest, and his later band included drummer Buddy Rich and bassist Thurman Teague.

Harry James' orchestra succeeded Glenn Miller's on a program sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes in 1942, when Miller disbanded his orchestra to enter the Army.

Harry James recorded many popular records and appeared in many Hollywood movies.

Harry James played trumpet in the 1950 film Young Man with a Horn, dubbing Kirk Douglas.

Harry James's recording of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" appears in the motion picture My Dog Skip.

Harry James's music is featured in the Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters.

Harry James's recording of "It's Been a Long, Long Time" is featured in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and in Marvel's Avengers: Endgame.

The Harry James band ran into financial trouble, and it became increasingly difficult for Harry James to pay salaries and keep the band together.

In 1940, Harry James lost his contract with Columbia Records, and Frank Sinatra left the band that January.

From a commercial standpoint, the decision paid off as Harry James soon enjoyed a string of chart topping hits that provided commercial success for him and his band.

Recent reissues such as Capitol's 2012 7-disc set The Capitol Vaults Jazz Series: Gene Krupa and Harry James have prompted new, more favorable analyses.

Harry James felt strongly about the music he both played and recorded.

In December 1967 Harry James wed Las Vegas showgirl Joan Boyd.

Harry James owned several Thoroughbred racehorses that won races such as the California Breeders' Champion Stakes and the San Vicente Stakes.

Harry James was a founding investor in the Atlantic City Race Course.

Harry James played his last professional job, with the Harry James Orchestra, on June 26,1983, in Los Angeles, dying just nine days later in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 5,1983, at age 67.

Harry James was chosen to play trumpet with the Metronome All-Stars in 1939,1940 and 1941.

Harry James was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1983.