Previous posts for March 15th may be found here: Colin McPhee (2019), Eduard Strauss (2020), and Nicola Vaccai; Harry James (2021)
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Harry James (15 March 1916 –5 July 1983) was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader.
Spot the Difference
In about 1940 James adopted a "sweeter" style that was less true to his jazz roots. From a commercial standpoint, the decision paid off, but his style was often labeled as "schmaltzy" and dismissed by the critics, although radio discs from this period reveal James's continued commitment to jazz. – freely adapted from Wikipedia
The critics thought that Harry James
Was selling out or playing games
When he made his sound more “sweet”
To woo the public from the street.
Recordings that they pressed were bland,
But the when the players took the stand,
And played a gig, we know from airchecks
The band still swung while earning their checks.
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