Harry James 1948 with Willie Smith

Harry James was a great jazz trumpeter when he chose to be.
His work with Benny Goodman's band in 1937-8 is classic, as are many items from the balance of his career, from a jazz point of view.
All trumpeters I know revere his ability on the horn.
These short selections from a 1948 radio series (Call For Music) find him quoting his all-time idol Louis Armstrong here and there, but it's pure James with his glorious command of the horn from the bottom to the top.
Listen join the first track especially the sotto voce lead alto of Willie Smith - so svelte!

[@Trombonology]

I've always believed Harry's band to have been at its zenith during Willie's stay. Both his beautiful lead alto and hip solos were a key ingredient of the band's superb sound in the waning years of WWII and beyond. I seem to recall reading that TD had been trying to secure Willie's services before the war -- but was, as we know, unsuccessful. And, yes, it always gets me down to find Harry dismissed as a jazz player on the basis of his commercial leanings.