Celebrating the centenary on 15 March of Harry James (1916-1983), this Retrospective compilation of 50 classics throws renewed light on a trumpeter who belongs amongst the very greatest in all of jazz music. The survey covers every aspect of his fabulous career, from his first recording sessions as a 21-year-old with Ben Pollack’s band (Spreadin’ Knowledge Around – already with a salvo-level solo), through to joyful examples of “Double Dixie” from 1962 with Matty Matlock (Weather Bird Rag). And all steps in between. These include his breakthrough as a member of Benny Goodman’s Orchestra (Sugar Foot Stomp), and with Teddy Wilson (Just a Mood). He formed his own orchestra in 1939, and thereafter every track has his dominant leadership stamped upon it. You Made Me Love You made him a household name in 1942, revealing the schmaltz that was an essential part of his repertoire – as was the staggering virtuosity displayed in such non-jazz items as The Flight of the Bumble Bee. Then there was a certain 1939 recording made with a young Frank Sinatra that suddenly became a smash in 1943, All or Nothing At All. Harry, of course, always had a superior cast of vocalists, and there are prime examples here of Dick Haymes, Helen Forrest, Kitty Kallen, Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney... and even wife No.2, Betty Grable. But, above all, Harry James was a hot jazz player par excellence, and the two discs are full of superlative examples of his artistry. Harry James – Retrospective salutes you!

Total playing time: 2hrs 39mins

CD 1 (1936-1941)
1 Spreadin’ Knowledge Around
2 I’m Coming, Virginia
3 Peckin’
4 Just a Mood
5 Sugarfoot Stomp
6 Jubilee (with Helen Humes)
7 Life Goes to a Party
8 Texas Chatter
9 One O’clock Jump
10 Out of Nowhere
11 Big John’s Special
12 I’m in the Mood for Swing
13 They Say (with Billie Holiday)
14 Boo-Woo
15 Woo-Woo
16 Ciribiribin
17 Two O’clock Jump
18 I’ve Found a New Baby
19 Feet Draggin’ Blues
20 All or Nothing At All (with Frank Sinatra)
21 Sleepy Time Gal
22 Flash
23 Concerto for Trumpet
24 Back Beat Boogie
25 The Flight of the Bumble Bee
26 I’ll Get By (with Dick Haymes)

CD 2 (1942-1962)
1 You Made Me Love You
2 Yes, Indeed! (with Dick Haymes)
3 I Don’t Want to Walk Without You (with Helen Forrest)
4 Strictly Instrumental
5 By the Sleepy Lagoon
6 Trumpet Blues and Cantabile
7 Easter Parade
8 Crazy Rhythm
9 Cherry
10 I Had the Craziest Dream (with Helen Forrest)
11 I’ve Heard That Song Before (with Helen Forrest)
12 I’m Beginning to See the Light (with Kitty Kallen)
13 I’m Confessin’
14 It’s Been a Long, Long Time (with Kitty Kallen)
15 I Can’t Begin to Tell You (with Betty Grable)
16 Cotton Tail
17 Tuxedo Junction
18 Would I Love You, Love You, Love You? (with Doris Day)
19 You’ll Never Know (with Rosemary Clooney)
20 Lush Life
21 Ring for Porter
22 Harry, not Jesse
23 My Inspiration
24 Weather Bird Rag