Harry James

Harry James
James c. 1942
Born	Harry Haag James (1916-03-15)March 15, 1916 Albany, Georgia
Died	July 5, 1983(1983-07-05) (aged 67) Las Vegas, Nevada
Spouses	Louise Tobin ​ ​ (m. 1935; div. 1943)​ Betty Grable ​ ​ (m. 1943; div. 1965)​ Joan Boyd ​ ​ (m. 1967; div. 1970)​
Children	5
Musical career
Genres	Jazz big band swing
Occupation(s)	Musician bandleader trumpeter
Instrument(s)	Trumpet
Years active	1933–1983
Labels	Brunswick Columbia Capitol MGM Dot
Musical artist

Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983)^[1] was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band to great commercial success 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. He was also an actor in a number of films that usually featured his band.