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Big band leader born
On this day in 1916, Harry James, jazz trumpet player and big-band
leader, was born in Albany, Georgia. Though thought by many to be a
native Texan, he did not arrive in Texas until the 1930s, when he and
his parents moved to Beaumont. There he played trumpet and led a band.
In 1936 James joined Benny Goodman's orchestra. He made a name for
himself with fiery trumpet solos and an appearance in the band's 1938
movie, Hollywood Hotel. After he started the Harry James Band in
1940, his hit song "You Made Me Love You" (1941) sold over a million
copies. A true virtuoso, Harry, along with his band, developed the
boogie-woogie style for big-band swing. His romantic ballads were the
key to his success and shot him to fame as a big-band leader. Still an
active musician in the 1970s, he was quoted then as saying, "I don't
look at people as changing, being old or being young. I just look down
from the stand to see if people are having fun." Harry James died in Las
Vegas, Nevada, in 1983.
- Links to Related Handbook of Texas Online Articles
- JAMES, HARRY HAGG
- JAZZ
- Links to other Web sites (will be opened in new browser window)
- Handbook of Texas Music
- Other Texas Day by Day Articles for This Date
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