jim henson

A swingin' instrumental version this month, from a giant of the big band era with his 1960's
'New Swingin' Band' lineup, featuring Buddy Rich on drums.

Musician and band leader Harry James (1916 -1983) began playing trumpet as a child, and was performing with local bands in and around Beaumont, Texas in his teens.

He joined Ben Pollack's Dance Band in 1935, and moved over to Benny Goodman's orchestra in 1937 and '38.

James began leading his own band in 1939, and was hugely popular during the war years and beyond.

He led his orchestra for over forty years. In 1983, diagnosed with cancer, he continued performing up until 9 days before his death, in Las Vegas.

From the LP
'The Ballads and The Beat'
(Dot Records, 1966),
listen to:

Harry James - The "In" Crowd
(click for audio)









- An album cover FYI: ▶
The cover photo of Harry James with trumpet on the right side of the LP cover was taken by legendary music photographer Jim Marshall.

In the video clip below from 1965, ▼ James performs 'Green Onions' with his New Swingin' Band, featuring Buddy Rich on drums.

See also:
- More Harry James video clips gathered at the Trumpet Kings blog.

- Harry James listing at All Music.Com

- Click here for this entry and all the previous 'In Crowd of the month' posts together on one page.