to 1944
to 1978
to Featured Artists
to 1944
to 1978
to Featured Artists
| The son of Circus performers, HARRY JAMES (b. Albany, GA, Mar. 15, 1916; d. Las Vegas, July 5, 1983) first cut his teeth playing drums and acting as a contortionist under the big top. He soon proved to be quite a talented trumpet-player, and by the time he was twenty he was playing with Benny Goodman accompanied by a reputation for virtuosity. He took this reputation with him to form his own band in 1939, featuring the young Frank Sinatra. After Sinatra's departure for Tommy Dorsey's band, James continued to gain popularity with tunes like "One O'Clock Jump" (1938) and "You Made Me Love You" (1941), as well as with his enviable marriage to starlet Betty Grable. By 1942, he had the most popular band in the U.S., and he continued to lead big bands and make periodic film appearances into the 60's.
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