He was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a traveling circus. By the age of 10 he was taking trumpet lessons from his father, who placed him on a strict daily practice schedule. Each day, James was given one page to learn from the Arban's book and was not allowed to pursue any other pastime until he had learned that particular page.
In 1931 the family settled in Beaumont, Texas, where James began playing with local dance bands.
He joined the nationally popular Ben Pollack in 1935 but at the start of 1937, left Pollack to join Benny Goodman's orchestra, where he stayed through 1938.
In February 1939 James debuted his own big band in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His hit "You Made Me Love You" was in the Top 10 during the week of December 7, 1941. He toured with the band into the 1980s.
His was the first "name band" to employ vocalist Frank Sinatra, in 1939. He wanted to change Sinatra's name to 'Frankie Satin' but Sinatra refused. His later band included drummer Buddy Rich.
He played trumpet in the 1950 film Young Man with a Horn, dubbing Kirk Douglas. James's recording of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" appears in the motion picture My Dog Skip (2000). His music is also featured in the Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters. James recorded many popular records and appeared in many Hollywood movies.
He was second only to Glenn Miller as the most successful recording artist of 1942.
James was married three times. On May 4, 1935, he married singer Louise Tobin, with whom he had two children. They divorced in 1943. That same year, he married actress Betty Grable. They had two daughters, Victoria and Jessica, before divorcing in 1965. James married a third time in 1968 to Las Vegas showgirl Joan Boyd, whom he would divorce in March 1970. Contrary to some assertions, he did not marry a fourth time. He had five children (two by Tobin, two by Grable, one by Boyd) and (as of his death) 16 grandchildren.
James owned several thoroughbred racehorses that won races such as the California Breeders' Champion Stakes (1951) and the San Vicente Stakes (1954). He was also a founding investor in the Atlantic City Race Course. His knowledge of horse racing was demonstrated during a 1958 appearance on The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour entitled "Lucy Wins A Racehorse."
In 1983, James was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, but he continued to work, playing his last professional job on June 26, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, just nine days before his death in Las Vegas, Nevada. Frank Sinatra gave the eulogy at the Bunkers Eden Vale Memorial Park in Las Vegas.
Autumn Serenade
Harry James and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Melodies the sweetest music ever played.
Autumn kisses we knew are beautiful souvenirs.
As I pause to recall the leaves seem to fall like tears.
Silver stars were clinging to an autumn sky.
Love was ours until October wandered by.
Let the years come and go,
I'll still feel the glow that time can not fade
The lyrics to Harry James and His Orchestra's song Autumn Serenade describe the arrival of autumn and the memories it brings. The singer reminisces about the sweet melodies of autumn and the beauty of the falling leaves, which remind him of past autumn romances. He notes the passing of time and the changes that come with it, such as the fading of love, but he is still able to hold on to the warmth and nostalgia of the season through the music of the autumn serenade.
The lyrics evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing, as the singer remembers past loves and experiences while also acknowledging the passage of time. The reference to "silver stars" and the "lovely autumn serenade" suggest a sense of magic and enchantment associated with the season. The words "kisses" and "love" imply a romantic theme, while the line "let the years come and go" suggests a sense of acceptance and gratitude for the memories that endure.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the trees comes autumn with her serenade.
As autumn arrives, its beautiful melodies are like a lovely performance.
Melodies the sweetest music ever played.
The melodies of autumn are the most beautiful that could be played.
Autumn kisses we knew are beautiful souvenirs.
Memories of autumn kisses are beautiful mementos.
As I pause to recall the leaves seem to fall like tears.
As I remember the past, the falling leaves feel like tears.
Silver stars were clinging to an autumn sky.
During autumn, the sky is adorned with shiny stars.
Love was ours until October wandered by.
Our love lasted until October came.
Let the years come and go,
Regardless of time passing,
I'll still feel the glow that time can not fade
I will always feel the warmth that time cannot diminish.
When I hear that lovely autumn serenade.
Every time I hear the beautiful melodies of autumn, I am transported to those cherished memories.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER DE ROSE, SAMMY GALLOP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Cadwallader
Nothing can replicate the sound of a clean 78rpm...Thanks, Prof!
Kirk Barkley
Very true!
Sydney Stone
this is absolutely genius and ever so haunting and powerful. w o w
Rick Viehdorfer
What a superb trumpet performance. And a lovely arrangement.
Marvin Muoneké
Indeed! This arrangement was done by Billy May.
Kirk Barkley
James! He had practically had a patented sound all his own & it's so dreamy
Gary K. Nedrow
The description for the video seems to suggest this was a "B side" recording of little importance. Actually, it was a popular instrumental, recorded originally in 1941 by the great Claude Thornhill and his orchestra and recorded many times since. This is a wonderfully sophisticated composition, perhaps more appreciated by musicians than the record-buying public, that is representative of the many splendid instrumentals recorded for ballroom dancing right after the war. The interplay of the instruments is marvelous, a far cry from the music of today. Many thanks to the Prof for cleaning up the 78 rpm record. It sounds great!
Daniel Weinstein
Corky Corcoran, so forgotten, was Harry's go-to since he was a teenager. Willie Smith's alto sound was immediately recognizable.
David Cadwallader
By the way, this is a Billy May arrangement.
hipsterdoofus1026
Very noirish