(1916-1983) American trumpeter and bandleader, a prominent figure in big
bands of the 1930s and 1940s. He
learned to
play the
trumpet at an early age and at 12 led a circus
band. In 1937, James became a famous
member of the Benny Goodman orchestra (a
leading American jazz band of the 1930s and 1940s). In 1939 he formed his own
band which became a
sensation in 1941 with the
release of the
song "You Made Me
Love You." In addition to appearing in several films, including Two Girls and a
Sailor (1944) and Do You
Love Me? (1946), James continued as a bandleader the rest of his
life.