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Harry James Biography
Harry Haag James, popularly known as Harry James was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing bandleader who led a big band from 1939 to 1946. In 1947, he broke up his band but shortly after he reorganized and was active again with his band from then until his death in 1983.
James was especially known among musicians for his technical proficiency as well as his tone and was influential on new trumpet players from the late 1930s into the 1940s. Also, he was an actor in a number of films that usually featured his band.
James Age/Nationality
James was born on 15 March 1916 and died on 5 July 1983 when he was 67 years old. Being born in Albany, Georgia, he holds the American nationality and is of White ethnicity.
Harry Spouse/Dating/Divorce
James married three times. On 4 May 1935, he got married first to Louise Tobin, a singer with whom he had two sons, Harry Jeffrey James, and Timothy Ray James. In 1943, the two divorced.
Later, he married actress, Betty Grable that year. They had two daughters, Victoria Elizabeth, and Jessica before divorcing in 1965. James wed Las Vegas showgirl Joan Boyd in December 1967. The couple had a child before divorcing.
James Photo
Harry James Family
He was the son of Everett Robert James(father)and Myrtle Maybelle (mother). His dad was a bandleader in a traveling circus, the Mighty Haag Circus while her mom was an acrobat and horseback rider.
At an early age, he started performing with the circus, first as a contortionist at age four, then playing the snare drum in the band from about the age of six.
It was during this age that James was almost trampled by the circus trick horses after he wandered onto the circus track as they were performing their stunts, but fortunately, he was protected by his mother’s pet horse, who stood over him until the other horses rushed by.
James Songs
♦ It’s Been a Long, Long Time
♦ I’ve Heard That Song Before
♦ Ciribiribin
♦ Sleepy Lagoon
♦ You Made Me Love You
♦ I’ll Get By
♦ Two O’clock Jump
♦ I’m Beginning to See the Light
♦ I Had the Craziest Dream
♦ I Don’t Want to Walk Without You
♦ Music Maker
♦ Trumpet Blues
♦ All or Nothing at All
♦ I Cried For You
♦ Cherry
♦ Trumpet Blues And Cantabile
♦ Velvet Moon
♦ Flight of the Bumble Bee
♦ The Mole
♦ I Can’t Begin to Tell You
♦ Stardust
♦ Strictly Instrumental
♦ Back Beat Boogie
♦ Concerto For Trumpet
♦ Sleepy Time Gal
♦ September Song
♦ Who’s Sorry Now?
♦ Flatbush Flanagan
♦ Sweet Georgia Brown
♦ Crazy Rythm
♦ Molten Swing
♦ Don’t Be That Way
Harry James Net worth
His estimated net worth as of 2019 is currently under review and will be updated as soon as possible. Detailed information about his property, cars, houses are also not known and we will update you soon.
Harry Albums
◊ Harry James in Hi-Fi
◊ Still Harry After All These Years
◊ Soft Lights, Sweet Trumpet
◊ Songs That Sold A Million
◊ I’ve Heard That Song Before
◊ All-Time Classics
◊ James and His New Swingin’ Bands
◊ James and Haymes
◊ Stardust The Great Trumpet Of Harry James
◊ Life Goes To A Party
◊ Opus One
◊ Trumpet Toast
◊ Molten Swing
◊ Swinging With Harry James
◊ America Dances Broadcast
◊ One Night Stand
◊ Sweet Georgia Brown
◊ 1948 Broadcasts – Selections They Never Recorded
◊ Harry James Golden Moments – 40 Classic Hits
◊ James Session (1941 – 1955)
◊ Harry James And His Orchestra Selected Hits Vol. 3
◊ Complete Jazz Series 1946 – 1947
◊ The Spectacular Sound of Harry James (Mono Version)
◊ Le vol du bourdon (Mono Version)
◊ Harry James Takes: Cherry, Easter Parade
◊ Vintage Vocal Jazz / Swing No. 148 – EP: The Continental
◊ Flying Home With Harry James
◊ The Complete Harry James In Hi-Fi
◊ Harry James Armed Forces Radio: Stardust
◊ The Band Movie Box, Vol. 2
◊ James And His Orchestra Selected Hits Vol. 2
◊ Don’t Cha Go ‘Way Mad
◊ Music Makers
◊ The Spectacular Sound of Harry James (Remastered)
◊ Reader’s Digest Music: Helen Forrest and Harry James: The Reader’s Digest Sessions
◊ Boogie Woogie
◊ Concerto for Trumpet
◊ A Tribute To Harry James
◊ Hits Of Harry James
◊ At the Hollywood Palladium
◊ Harry, Not Jesse
◊ With Dick Haymes, 1940
James Illness/Death
Since James was a heavy smoker, he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in 1983 but continued to work.
On 26 June 1983, he played his last professional job, with the Harry James Orchestra in Los Angeles, and died just nine days later in Las Vegas, Nevada.
On 5 July 1983, he died when he was 67 years old. Frank Sinatra gave the eulogy at his funeral, held in Las Vegas.