Harry James

Happy Birthday, Harry James 1916-1983...His exotic beginnings as the child of an acrobat mother and band leader father for the traveling Haag Circus gave Harry James a strong work ethic and sparkling personal charm. He was playing snare drum for the circus at the age of 6 and learning trumpet from his exacting father. The long hours of practice paid off eventually with James becoming one of the most outstanding instrumentalists of the swing era with a distinctive tone and superior technical proficiency. His ability to sight read on the spot earned him the nickname "The Hawk". The joke was that if a fly landed on his sheet music, Harry James would play it.

He began his career in 1931 playing in local bands in Beaumont, Texas at the age of 15. He caught the ear of Ben Pollack and joined his band in 1935 and even auditioned for Lawrence Welk's band but was told he played too loud which was not the Welk style. He headed up Benny Goodman's brass section starting in 1937 but by 1939 wanted to go off on his own. With Goodman's backing, he debuted his own big band, Harry James and His Music Makers in Philadelphia in 1939. He would tour with his band into the 1980's.

James had an ear for talent, finding Frank Sinatra working as a singing waiter and giving him his first big break as well as boosting the careers of other singers such as Dick Haymes, Kitty Kellan, Connie Haines and Helen Forrest. He played in 16 films including "Swing Fever" and "The Benny Goodman Story". Among his many popular recordings were "Ain't She Sweet", "Ciribiriban", "You Made Me Love You" and " I've Heard That Song Before", featured prominently in Woody Allen's film "Hannah and Her Sisters".

He was married three times-once to Betty Grable-and owned several race winning thoroughbred racehorses. He played his last concert with his band in Los Angeles in 1983, just nine days before his death from lymphatic cancer.