Harry James

Harry James was born in a dilapidated hotel adjacent to the city jail in Albany, Georgia. His parents were part of the Mighty Haag Circus, with his mother performing as a trapeze artist and his father leading a band. When Harry was seven, the family moved to Beaumont, Texas, where he began to learn the drums. By the age of twelve, he was already playing the trumpet in the Christy Brothers Circus band. In 1936, Harry joined Ben Pollack's band, but he soon departed to take charge of the brass section for Benny Goodman’s orchestra. Although he once sought a position with Lawrence Welk's band, he was rejected due to his loud playing style, which did not align with Welk’s preferences.

After three years with Goodman, he decided to branch out and, with Goodman’s support, established his own group, the Music Makers. In 1943, he married Betty Grable, a famed pinup model, marking his second marriage, having previously been wed to singer Louise Tobin. While Grable starred in films, Harry continued his musical career, performing across the country in venues like the Hollywood Palladium and Chicago’s College Inn at the Hotel Sherman. The Music Makers found their home at the Lincoln Hotel in New York City, where Harry captivated audiences, particularly in the spring of 1943 at the Paramount Theater. His rendition of "You Made Me Love You" became immensely popular during the war years. A notable talent scout, he discovered Frank Sinatra working as a waiter and gave him his first opportunity to sing in his band. Harry also launched the careers of artists such as Dick Haymes, Kitty Kallen, Connie Haines, and Helen Forrest. In 1963, his band continued to perform at Disneyland, retaining the Music Makers name. Harry played his final show at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on June 26, 1983, just days before he succumbed to lymphatic cancer.