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 - Erschienen bei Hindsight Records, Inc. am 16.06.2021
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It's Been A Long Long Time (Billboard Hot 100 - No. 01)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Music Manager am 19.12.2018
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The Capitol Vaults Jazz Series
Gene Krupa, Harry James & His Orchestra
Jazz - Erschienen bei Capitol Records am 01.01.2012
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Ciribiribin (They're So In Love)
Jazz - Erschienen bei American Popsongs am 21.11.2016
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22 Original Big Band Recordings
Jazz - Erschienen bei Hindsight Records am 01.01.1987
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I've Heard This Song Before
Pop - Erschienen bei Songture Records am 26.08.2016
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Swing Band Greats (Pres. Harry James & His Orchestra)
Jazz - Erschienen bei DB Digital Recordings am 01.01.2011
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I've Heard That Song Before (The Hits of Harry James)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Jasmine Records am 13.09.2012
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Harry James in Hi-Fi (Album of 1955)
Pop - Erschienen bei Jazz Classics am 31.01.2020
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More Harry James in H-Fi (Album of 1956)
Pop - Erschienen bei Jazz Classics am 31.01.2020
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Wild About Harry (Album of 1958)
Pop - Erschienen bei Jazz Classics am 31.01.2020
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Just Lucky (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, July 31, 1960)
Jazz - Erschienen bei SOFA - AV Catalog DD am 03.12.2022
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Two O'Clock Jump (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, July 31, 1960)
Jazz - Erschienen bei SOFA - AV Catalog DD am 05.08.2022
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Sunday Morning (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, May 8, 1966)
Jazz - Erschienen bei SOFA - AV Catalog DD am 26.11.2022
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The Spectacular Sound of Harry James (Album of 1962)
Pop - Erschienen bei Jazz Classics am 31.01.2020
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Soft Lights, Sweet Trumpet (Album of 1954)
Pop - Erschienen bei Jazz Classics am 31.01.2020
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The Solid Gold Trumpet of Harry James (Album of 1962)
Pop - Erschienen bei Jazz Classics am 31.01.2020
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Jazz Session (Album of 1955)
Pop - Erschienen bei Jazz Classics am 31.01.2020
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Harry James & His Orchestra's Sweet Georgia Brown
Jazz - Erschienen bei Charly Records am 25.06.2006
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I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You) (Billboard Hot 100 - No. 01)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Music Manager am 19.12.2018
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