Harry James & His Orchestra
Born March 15, 1916 in Albany, Georgia, Harry James was a trumpeter and band leader who was immensely popular during the 1940s. Born into a circus family, James learned to play the trumpet and read music as a child. His family relocated to Beaumont, Texas, where he began to perform with local dance bands. With the swing era in full bloom, he had a stint with the Benny Goodman Orchestra before he launched his own band, Harry James and His Music Makers. The band was not an immediate commercial success, but once he added a string section in 1941, Harry James and His Orchestra struck a chord with a larger audience. Their sound moved further away from his jazz roots and embraced a more commercial pop style, As hits such as “I've Heard That Song Before”, “I Cried for You”, “I Don't Want to Walk Without You”, and his most well-known song “You Made Me Love You” made him famous nationally, he had radio shows during and after World War II. His charismatic performances and appearances in motion pictures made him one of the most recognizable band leaders in the world. Throughout the orchestra’s career, he worked with many different vocalists including Frank Sinatra, Kitty Kallen, Dick Haymes, Helen Forrest, Connie Haines, and others. With a revolving line-up, the musicians in the orchestra may not have included many big names, but future easy listening icon Ray Conniff was one of the more notable members. After the end of World War II in September 1945, most big bands – including Harry James' Orchestra - saw a decline in sales and attendance at their live shows. By the 1950s, he had to disassemble his orchestra and work with smaller groups. He did revive the orchestra on occasion, releasing some new recordings including the Wild About Harry album in 1957. He continued to play live, often touring the U.S. and UK. His final live performance was in Las Vegas, Nevada with his orchestra just nine days before his death. Harry James died of cancer on July 5, 1983.
©Copyright Music Story Stephen Schnee 2023
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Harry James and His Orchestra 22 Original Big Band Hits the Essential Series
Jazz - Released by Hindsight Records, Inc. on 16 Jun 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Capitol Vaults Jazz Series
Gene Krupa, Harry James & His Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Capitol Records on 1 Jan 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ciribiribin (They're So In Love)
Jazz - Released by American Popsongs on 21 Nov 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I've Heard This Song Before
Pop - Released by Songture Records on 26 Aug 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Swing Band Greats (Pres. Harry James & His Orchestra)
Jazz - Released by DB Digital Recordings on 1 Jan 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Just Lucky (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, July 31, 1960)
Jazz - Released by SOFA - AV Catalog DD on 3 Dec 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Two O'Clock Jump (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, July 31, 1960)
Jazz - Released by SOFA - AV Catalog DD on 5 Aug 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sunday Morning (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, May 8, 1966)
Jazz - Released by SOFA - AV Catalog DD on 26 Nov 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Harry James & His Orchestra's Sweet Georgia Brown
Jazz - Released by Charly Records on 25 Jun 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Best of the Big Bands, Vol. 8: Harry James & His Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Supreme Media on 1 Feb 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Twenty-One Harry James Classics
Jazz - Released by Twenty-One Classics on 16 May 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Music Makers
Blues - Released by Black Sheep Music on 31 Aug 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vintage Jazz Pioneers - Harry James, Vol. 1
Jazz - Released by Sleeping Giant Music on 19 Sep 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
So in Love (Remastered)
Bebop - Released by Pink Dot Records on 22 Feb 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sleepy Time (Remastered)
Bebop - Released by Pink Dot Records on 22 Feb 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
City Bouncing Uptown
Jazz - Released by City Bouncing Uptown Muzik on 27 Jun 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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My Magic Christmas Songs
Jazz - Released by Happy Holidays Recordings on 17 Dec 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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My Magic Christmas Songs
Jazz - Released by Happy Holidays Recordings on 15 Dec 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo