Harry James

Harry James was an amazing swing musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led Harry James and His Orchestra from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947 but shortly after he reorganized and was active again with his band from then until his death in 1983. He 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.

"Back Beat Boogie", "Velvet Moon" and "I Don't Want To Walk Without You" are just a few of his songs that we play on Swing City: After Dark and The Saturday Night Swing.

James' band was the first high-profile orchestra to feature vocalist Frank Sinatra. James wanted to change Sinatra's name to 'Frankie Satin', but the singer refused.  The James band's featured female vocalist was Helen Forrest, and his later band included drummer Buddy Rich and bassist Thurman Teague. Johnny MacAfee was featured on the sax and vocals, and Corky Corcoran was a young sax prodigy.

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