Life of harry james biography

Born Harry Haag James, March 15, 1916, in Albany, GA; died of lymphatic cancer, July 5, 1983, in Las Vegas, NE; son of Everette (a trumpeter and circus director) and Mabel (a trapeze artist) James; married Louise Tobin (a singer), May 4, 1935 (divorced, 1943); married Betty Grable (an actress), July 5, 1943 (divorced, 1965); married Joan Boyd; children: (first marriage) Harry, Timothy; (second marriage) Victoria, Jessica; (third marriage) Michael.

Called "a major figure of the swing era" by John S.

Wilson in the New York Times, Harry James struck a resounding chord with the public of the late 1930s and remained a popular bandleader for over 40 years. He built a reputation as one of the hottest trumpet players in the nation, then skyrocketed to fame after forming his own band and offering listeners a mix of romantic ballads and fast-paced jazz numbers.

The New Grove Dictionary of American Music called him "a fine jazz improviser, possessing a verve that enhanced many small and l