Harry James
American trumpeter, big band leader (1916-1983) · United States · On the map · Musicians · Died at 67
Harry Haag James was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band to great commercial success from 1939 to 1946. He 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.
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Frank Sinatra Bandmate in Harry James and His Orchestra
Bing Crosby Duets: Moonglow and Bali Ha'i
Joe Pasternak Produced Two Girls and a Sailor (1944)
June Allyson Also in Two Girls and a Sailor (1944)
Perry Como Duets: Bali Ha'i (1949)
Rosemary Clooney Duets: Hollywood's Best (1952)
Steve Allen Also in American Masters
Gloria DeHaven Also in Two Girls and a Sailor and I'll Get By
Benny Goodman Also in American Masters and Road to Victory
Joe Venuti Duets: Moonglow (1933)
Valentine Davies Directed The Benny Goodman Story (1957)
Martin Scorsese Directed American Masters
Billie Holiday Duets: Moonglow (1933)
Jerry Lewis Produced The Ladies Man (1961)
Fernandel Also in A Dog's Life (1943)
Carmen Miranda Also in Springtime in the Rockies (1942)
Janis Paige Also in Bathing Beauty and American Masters
Bryan Foy Produced If I'm Lucky (1946)
Robert B. Weide Directed American Masters
Georgie Stoll Wrote Two Girls and a Sailor and Swing Fever
Aaron Rosenberg Produced The Benny Goodman Story (1957)
Joseph Buloff Also in American Masters and Carnegie Hall- Jacques Daniel-Norman Directed Don't Shout It from the Rooftops (1943)
LeRoy Prinz Directed Road to Victory (1944)
Harry JamesPartners
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Photos 5
Texas Historical Commission's marker at the childhood homesite of Harry James in Beaumont, Texas.
From left: Stan "Cuddles" Johnson, Fraser MacPherson, Bob Smith, Harry James, Al Johnson, Stew Barnett. (The Cave Supper Club, May 1970)
From left: Harry James, Lucille Ball, Betty Grable. (The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show, 1958)
Publicity photo of James, photo by Richard C. Maher c. 1975Awards
About this person
He 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. He was also an actor in a number of films that usually featured his band.
