Harry James was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a traveling circus. By age 10 he was taking trumpet lessons from his father. His father had him on a very strict practicing schedule every day. He was given one page to learn out of the Arban's book (a trumpet drill book) every day and could not do anything until he learned that page.
In 1931 the family settled in Beaumont, Texas and James began playing with local dance bands. James joined the nationally popular Ben Pollack in 1935. At the start of 1937 he left Pollack to join Benny Goodman's orchestra, where he stayed through 1938.
In February of 1939 Harry James debuted his own big band in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He continued touring with the band into the 1980s. His was the first "name band" to employ vocalist Frank Sinatra, in 1939. In 1943 he married actress Betty Grable.
His first wife was ex B.Goodman singer.,Louise Tobin.
You can hear his trumpet playing in the 1950 film Young Man with a Horn, dubbing Kirk Douglas. His recording of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" appears in the motion picture My Dog Skip (2000). James recorded many popular records and appeared in many Hollywood movies.
In 1983, James was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, but he continued to work, playing his last professional job on 26 June 1983 in Los Angeles just nine days before his death in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Blues
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never dreamed that it could be
But now I realize since I saw you smile
There's only happiness for me
So
Bye bye blues
Bye bye blues
Birds sing
Sun is shining
No more pining
Just we two
Smiling thru
Don't sigh
Don't cry
Bye bye blues
Blues
The lyrics of Harry James & His Orchestra's song, Bye Bye Blues, is a portrayal of the joy and happiness that comes with falling in love after experiencing heartbreak. The singer talks about getting a big surprise when he sees his lover smile, and how he never believed he could be happy again. However, seeing the smile on his lover's face made him realize that he could experience happiness again. The lyrics convey a sense of the hopelessness and sorrow that comes with a broken heart and the hope that one can find love and happiness again.
The chorus of the song, "Bye bye blues, bells ring, birds sing, sun is shining, no more pining, just we two, smiling thru, don't sigh, don't cry, bye bye blues, blues," is an expression of the singer's newfound happiness. He is happy and no longer sad or depressed about his previous heartbreak. The lyrics also reveal the joy and hope that comes with finding love and the willingness to let go of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a big surprise when I saw you smile
The sight of your grin was so unexpected and astonishing to me
I never dreamed that it could be
I couldn't even imagine this level of happiness before
But now I realize since I saw you smile
After seeing you happy, I understand how joyous life can really be
There's only happiness for me
Nothing but pure joy is left for me now
So
Therefore,
Bye bye blues
Farewell to all sadness and despair
Bells ring
The sweet sound of chimes fills the air
Birds sing
Melodic bird calls can be heard all around
Sun is shining
The brilliant light of the sun illuminates the world
No more pining
There is no longer a need to yearn or long for anything
Just we two
It's only us together
Smiling thru
We're grinning and enjoying each other's company
Don't sigh
There's no need to let out a deep breath of sadness
Don't cry
Stop shedding tears of despair or frustration
Bye bye blues
All traces of sorrow are now gone
Blues
Negative emotions or feelings of sadness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bert Lown, Chauncey Gray, David Bennett, Frederick L Hamm
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wyndhleodumegwu253
So great, so inspirational, so - - - the performance defies the best of Superlative adjectives.
Oh, how Harry can play that trumpet! So many of the old cats were virtuosic masters!
Marvelous video!
Thanks for letting me into a department of your musical world.
He also displays alot of classical embellishments during his fills and improvisations.
Wasn't he one of the best? Certainly!
@hate-not8352
I'm a senior citizen these days. The first trumpet I ever played (at the age of 10) was my dad's. I loved my dad dearly, but musically speaking, Harry James was always my idol. At age 18, my father complimented my trumpet-playing. That really meant the world to me. WONDERFUL memories that I felt the need to share. Thank you for indulging me.
@spikehofmann
Harry was 30 when this was made. He always looked older than his years.
He had it all. Magnificent fat sweet tone, glorious emotional way of spinning a melody, he could swing, he could improvise, superb agility and virtuosity.
@orlandocordova8818
I AGREE WITH YOU! 🙂
@sunburst1889
You are right, in my opinion he was one of the greatest of all time.
@alljazzedout23
Was he playing a king super 20 on this video
@ChannelMaster720
Love that "St. Louis Woman" and the added difference the violin players do by plucking those strings! The whole orchestra swings! Why can't we see these wonderful musical movies again on TV instead of criminal shows? This is just marvelous. Love the scenery, too, the water is magical!! This is the kind of music our children should be exposed to. . . SYLVIA! FL 8/5/2020
@sidcohn6141
I've heard a lot of trumpet players in my 88 years on the planet. NO-ONE, I said NO-ONE compares to the great HARRY JAMES!!!
@chuckpar-due4876
Sid Cohn Amen!
@salvadoralmirall6330
Sid Cohn bhh
@edson71912
I agrre with you Sid!!