HARRY JAMES - FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE - FILMSTRIP

Harry James, premier trumpet virtuoso, Jazz superstar and Big Band leader performs his arrangement of the Rimsky-Korsokov classic, FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE, in this clip from the hit MGM musical, BEST FOOT FORWARD. The popular bandleader and trumpet star was prominently featured with his band in this film along with Lucille Ball, June Allyson, Nancy Walker and Tommy Dix. Harry James was probably the most famous trumpeter of the twentieth century due to his many hit records, feature films and big band tours across the United States, Europe and Latin America throughout the 1940's, '50's, '60's and '70's. He performed up to the very end playing a Los Angeles concert date one week before he died, July 5, 1983 at age 67. Most of the major trumpeters of the last 50 years consider James to have been one of their major influences both for style and technique.

[@alperrin9310]

Not only is this an iconically difficult piece to play - it's also a very difficult piece to play well - which is the true sign of a virtuoso like Harry James. He is indeed an underestimated and underappreciated "greatest generation" musician.

[@bmepdoc9675]

Severinsen nails this.

[@alanasda7705]

Harry started out as a musician in a traveling circus, where his father (a bandleader) placed him on a strict daily practice schedule. At each session, he was given several pages to learn from the Arban Method book (which is basically the Bible for trumpet players) and was not allowed to pursue any other pastime until he had learned them.

[@TheSproutarian]

He is the only player l have heard who can make the piece actually sound like a bumblebee. Very clever.

[@Gr8nessnMe070]

This sounds horrible. 🤨

[@hensonsf2701]

@@Gr8nessnMe070 Lol. No, it doesn’t.

[@ahsangaming7367]

Me 1st time search and see its so interesting

[@albertarbelo]

Search Rafael Mendez Bumblebee. And yes this does sound horrible. There is no technique. Yes, he has played it enough to memorize the insane amount of notes but so have plenty of others. At most, he's holding a beautiful tone and moving his fingers extremely fast. But the piece losses it's essence at that tempo.

[@RosaPerez-uk9fx]

Rafeal mendez check his out way cleaner and smooth this one is pretty loud bright and sloppy

[@trallfraz]

I've played professional trpt since I was in 9th grade (1968) and I've NEVER heard anything played this fast and accurate on a trpt. I got to hear Harry LIVE twice and he literally blew the roof off the bandstand each time.

[@FalandoDeFlauta]

Search for Ruben Simeo and Allen Vizutti.

[@audioman6565]

I dont know anyone who can play it faster. Love Harry James Playing

[@KyleComino]

Love how he just casually pulls his horn from his mouth. As if what he's doing is simple

[@williammock7932]

Kyle Comino k

[@elijahgrimm1550]

He was the best at it

[@eriknorlin4287]

playback

[@Dorodigital]

because he was miming to a pre recording

[@PumilateVFX]

@@Dorodigital no

[@wayneandrus307]

He was a very rare and exceptional Musical talent.

[@richardsalvucci3472]

James was the quintessential power player. To which he added immaculate technique. I doubt there's ever been anyone else who could duplicate him, plus a sound that cut cut through anything. No surprise so many players worshipped him. He was without perr

[@error.418]

He was good, but he had plenty of peers.

[@fernmann7]

Um, no. Try again.

[@larbueno]

Maybe listen to Rafael Mendez before making such sweeping statements. Please listen to this and weep: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYbMm2t8eMxjsJo To be sure and clear, Harry James was phenomenal!!!

[@richardsalvucci3472]

@@larbueno I've heard it. OK? Bye

[@mariano4617]

I can hear Harry James tone and energy in Doc Severinsen.

[@jeanmenard3060]

The greatest trumpet player ever ! Maestro Harry James ! Bravo ! 😃👍❤

[@allenhinc1991]

You know there are others that play it as fast but in Harry's case there is that round fat tone and he is so precise. Harry also has something that cannot be defined it is a style and sound that others don't achieve. You can always t6ell if it is Harry. He had something that cant be put on paper or taught truly the master.

[@bradstewart7007]

Definitely. Oh, and let’s just stop and direct the orchestra while I’m not playing.

[@tobascoheat6582]

@ ALLEN HINC I agree with you totally. And may I add that the things he accomplishes, which can't be put on paper or taught, is his precise ear. Just my opinion.

[@andrewdnix4759]

The video is also sped up. Not sure why so many old recordings are, but they get away with it from the sound quality

[@Chrismacleod777]

What an incredible trumpeter!

[@tobascoheat6582]

Also his amazing breath control!

[@happychildhood591]

The BEST their ever was! Period..! End of story! Truly a LEGEND...! Thank you Harry James...! RIP but keep it up in Heaven!

[@tommyhall5010]

I had the great pleasure of seeing the James orchestra in England many years ago, the great Sonny Page was on drums, a night I will never forget.

[@theartfactor]

You mean Sonny Payne!

[@theartfactor]

Harry James was trained first as a drummer, age 4. Started on the trumpet at age 9. In addition to becoming a trumpet virtuoso Harry was also a composer of original tunes which became James standards ( Carnival, Ultra, Back Beat Boogie, James Session and scores of others). He was also an arranger and conductor. He had perfect pitch and once he read an arrangement he had it memorized forever, in other words a photographic memory.

[@2009Patches]

There are simply no words I can bring to my mind to sum up how I feel about the incredible technique that was displayed here. Well done Harry, you're legend will live on.

[@davincent98]

Beautiful. I played for one year, and that taught me to read music and appreciate the trumpet players. Anyone that can work those fingers, tighten those lips, and hold that much air deserves something grandiose.

[@gailklein6022]

Un-freakin' believeable! When Harry James plays this, you can really HEAR the bumble bees buzzing around!

[@LEFTY91335]

RIP Harry James, A True Legend

[@aridecompany]

Practice does make perfect,especially in this case. Beautiful control.

[@konpopsrisauy3907]

He play that trumpet and command that band... like a boss.

[@bblegacy]

That's why he was the boss, at a time when the meritocracy was everything.

[@Microblitz]

Harry James was probably one ofthe most underated trumpet players ever. The Jazz guys get all the glory, but he was technically one of the most brilliant players I've ever seen. If you watch Mendez playing the flight of the bumble bee, even he is tired after playing it. Harry even has time during the performance to make sure that his section is keeping up with him, and after, it looks like he just got done playing tune a day book one! if you want cool that's it.

[@theartfactor]

Harry James played a Selmer Balanced model Bb trumpet until the late '50's when he switched to a King trumpet. In the filmstrip Harry is playing his gold plated specially engraved Selmer. I have a rare Selmer Balanced Harry James model Bb trumpet which my paraents purchased for me in 1954 when I was in high school. It is in mint condition and highly prized.

[@klausklaus4167]

his timing is insane

[@luisrosario2467]

That is freaking awesome. He does make it sound like a bee.

[@williamgregory1848]

My dad was a jazz trumpeter and Harry James was his hero. My dad had a photo of me as a baby that was actually signed by Harry James, wishing me a happy life. He had it in his wallet until the day he died. My mom gave it to me and I still have it to this day.

[@unassailable6138]

Harry James was also Chet Baker's hero

[@marthahenrich1185]

My late dad’s favorite. I loved to watch his face when he listened to big band music. How he loved it.

[@g.sepich9997]

To me, he was the best trumpet player in the world. What marvelous talent. When you put the three best in the world at the time together, Harry James, Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa, you had music that was unparalleled.

[@ChrissyTheBlacc]

conducting and playing at lightning speed at the same time very impressive not to mention i see him looking at no sheet music meaning he memorized it even more impressive

[@CharlieKang]

Bravo...........one of the hardest pieces to play on the trumpet known to man.

[@miriameh5289]

This is my ambition - to play this song at at least half that speed. I'm thirteen and in my sixth year of trumpet, so MAYBE, in a few more years, I'll be able to play this song with a lot of practise.

[@HernandezEncoreDCIMore]

Sorry to come off as rude but I find it hard to believe your Thirteen and you've played trumpet for 6 years. But if so that's pretty impressive, I'm in 8th and I've played since 5th grade.

[@miriameh5289]

Kindru GamingxVideos You're not being rude, dw :) Most people in my band didn't believe me at first either. It's a tradition in my family that we play piano from a young age, but I absolutely hated piano, so for my seventh birthday my mother got me a trumpet (the only thing I wanted... aside from a drum kit, and you can see why that didn't happen). Now I'm on my 8th year, and I'm actually learning this in my lessons! It's awfully hard but I'll get there some day. Good luck with your trumpet endeavours!

[@HernandezEncoreDCIMore]

Nice :D, What trumpet do you use? I use just a regular conn rn but i'm saving up for either a Getzen 3003 or a Conn 1B Vintage, Conn is bae cause their valves are just marvelous.

[@miriameh5289]

Kindru GamingxVideos At the moment, a regular old yellow-brass Yamaha. I can't remember the exact model and it's in the shop so I can't check. I use a custom mouthpiece to get a nicer sound :)

[@HernandezEncoreDCIMore]

Yah I use a custom one to, it look's different compared to the other trumpets in my band. Im saving up 50$ to buy a 3c boch mouthpiece from one of the trumpets, I use a 7c and I can still hit above a triple C somehow lol

[@vakaski]

Greatest of all time

[@theartfactor]

The classic recording of FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE by Harry James in 1941 and rerecorded for the film BEST FOOT FORWARD, 1944, was arranged by longtime James arranger Jack Mathias. Of the many recordings of this Rimsky-Korsikov composition by many different trumpeters of varying abilities, this version remains the most famous and in my opinion, the best!

[@trumpetman309]

I'm trying to play this for an audition in a few weeks. It's like you almost need a controlled seizure to play it at this speed. I have the utmost respect for anyone who can play this piece.

[@g.sepich9997]

Agreed!

[@frankmorton1626]

One of the greatest bar none👏👏

[@brunilldafrancis753]

I was so lucky to see Harry James in the sixties the start of many concerts

[@ASouthernEquestrian]

~He's incredible! He plays SO FAST! Classic~

[@Hiraghm]

My father always wanted me to play this. I tried. It was so *hard*, and I never did master it. Listen to him... you can hear every... single... note..

[@1qaz2wsx3edc5753]

I forgot to mention how smooth Harry is as well.

[@jakewilliams7484]

One of the best who have ever lived. We miss you!

[@falvegas511]

Greatest of the Greats. Harry makes Gabriel's Torricelli Trumpet sound like a mere Bugle.

[@claudecrabier1887]

ce fut un véritable virtuose, pour moi, le meilleur de son époque

[@sergiosampa]

The Best.

[@herasjulian]

Harry James my favorite trumpeter. Fantastic

[@user-ud1nr7ek6g]

LOVE ❤❤❤

[@ratin3143]

Harry James and The Ventures = Great Performances !

[@rct303]

No human can touch that!!!

[@mushmorant9253]

Just Al Hirt. Ever hear the similar Green Hornet theme?

[@DancingSpiderman]

Mush Morant Yeah, Al Hirt's Green Hornet DEFinitely Kicks Ass ! Saucy and Jazzy and technically Perfect.

[@macDaddy1118]

Harry James is a GREAT musician and i admire his work as a trumpet player, but as a Viola player i gotta give some props to that STRINGS section to (including Piano and the Guitar) Their transition between notes were so clear considering how fast they were playing.

[@littlemackerel1456]

Amazing

[@maryannebagala9109]

Wow..! My brother played this.. ! He knew how to execute this song beautifully..! He was so talented..!

[@DAMFOREIGNER]

You could almost see the bumblebee. Bravo!

[@claudecrabier1887]

ce fut et c'est toujours le meilleur

[@theartfactor]

@92cervus82 For his time? Harry, his style and abilities hold up against any of the so called "trumpet stars" of today. He was an extraordinary musician, tremendously disciplined as a trumpeter but undisciplined in his personal life. Were he around today he would still be tops.

[@mertlajz]

He is the definition of the word "Boss".

[@PapillonOne]

What an amazing video! The clarity and sound are wonderful. I only wish my father had survived long enough to see this but he died in 2004. Back in the 70s, my father asked me for his birthday gift to locate a record of this but though I contacted the companies in the big cities like NYC that might have been the place to obtain it, there were none available. Always felt bad, he never got to hear it again.

[@speedyneutrino1729]

Not to take ANYTHING away from the great Harry James.......if you want to hear another virtuoso...........Maurice Andre and "Hora Staccato", as well as "Carnival of Venice"....BRAVO HARRY !

[@dickbobnick4008]

According to former lead trumpet with the Harry James band, Tony Scodwell, during one of Harry's numerous appearances at Las Vegas' Flamingo Hotel, Rafael Mendez was in attendance and approached Harry with a question about his performing Hora Staccato in the film BATHING BEAUTY, Harry informed Mendez that he performed that number single tonguing and not double tonguing. Mendez apparently was amazed at Harry's fast single tonguing.

[@theartfactor]

+fibsernum30 It is not necessary to play that piece with tonguing. It is a matter of choice. Harry was a superb "tonguer" if you have heard him on CARNIVAL OF VENICE and HORA STACCATO.

[@themeleed]

his tone fits this soooo well

[@miltonchiarelli480]

and look at him a magnificent looking man this is the true art of the cool

[@fctrumpet]

Harry is awesome!

[@Monkey-ut7ke]

This is a great daily warmup!

[@luvbasses5487]

Very, VERY intense.

[@wacnwacn5701]

This guy was good and the suit!!!!!!!!

[@jazzscarb]

I love lucille ball i love harry james i love this movie omg the perfect combination!!!! ;)

[@givemetoast]

Harry James...no joke!

[@estoniaman]

It's so fast that it isn't flight of the bumblebee, rather flight of the mosquito

[@ChrissyTheBlacc]

😂

[@PumilateVFX]

Yes

[@ierc6532]

Un mosquito latoso... A pesky mosquito...

[@theartfactor]

An added bit of information on this great classic recording of the Rimsky-Korsikove composition: Although Harry at this time )1941) had several great arrangers in his band, namely Jack Mathias and Ray Coniff, Harry arranged this version of FLIGHT himself. Harry was both a brilliant arranger and composer and in the ensuing years would write and arrange many of his big instrumental hits notably CARNIVAL, ULTRA and BACK BEAT BOOGIE to name just a few.

[@emiliamazur5869]

❤❤❤

[@donmoseslerman]

what valve work unbelievable talent !

[@BrasilGT]

I LOVE TECHNICOLOR.

[@vilmoskrately]

Boldog születésnapot!

[@JuanBernardoIrigoyen]

"Flight of the bumblebee" (El vuelo del abejorro) de Rimsky-Korsakov , en una adaptación hecha por Harry James, a propósito de esta obra les diré que Korsakov inventó una trompeta, que nunca se fabricó para que un intérprete normal toque como un virtuoso. Si el compositor lo hubiese conocido a James, este instrumento no lo habría inventado.

[@germanquintero10121946]

Magnifico y hace que transporte aquellos años

[@JuanBernardoIrigoyen]

german quintero Gracias Germán, saludos.

[@germanquintero10121946]

ESPECTACULAR

[@JuanBernardoIrigoyen]

GERMAN QUINTERO ,Gracias Germán, saludos.

[@TheMudsnake]

Would someone care to translate?

[@gladyselenacastagna3170]

Genialidad! único

[@anniefannycharles9951]

I can actually see the bumblebees!❤😂

[@theartfactor]

@TheForrestal You are right on the money, Forrestal. Some of the most difficult classical pieces were written primarily for the violin and the piano. Being a trumpet player myself and having a son who is a trumpet ace those pieces are extraordinarily difficult for the various reasons you state. 85 to 90% of the famous Pop and Jazz trumpeters of the 20th century never had the strict technical foundation that Harry James had. It showed in is playing throughout his career.

[@Elegantjet]

Fantastic!!!

[@rodrigozuniga45]

There is a live recording of this piece in one of Harry's albums, the one entitled "One Night Stand." He performs the piece with an accordionist. No edits, speeding ups, whatever in this one. Harry could, simply, play!! Period!!

[@Bzzzcut]

this is great

[@romuloalves587]

Sensacional❤❤

[@folhaverde8298]

Big music of jazz,

[@Rastamania80]

Fantastic ...

[@mamarremamarremamarremamar4092]

Best trumpeter!

[@larbueno]

A little off topic, but early on Frank Sinatra was Harry James' singer. Tommy Dorsey wanted Frank in HIS orchestra. Harry's group was excellent, but Harry knew Tommy Dorsey's group was a step above. Harry gave Frank his approval and wished him well in his new endeavor with Tommy. Frank was ALWAYS grateful to Harry James for that.

[@mharbaugh]

It's so great to see such a great high quality colored video from this era!

[@jacobdees3882]

He uses louis armstrong's tears as valve oil

[@luisorellanacastillo2685]

En la actualidad la mejor trompetista es Allison Balsom.

[@RaygAgainstheMachine]

A trumpet player with an ego. That's a new one. Louis loved everybody, especially cats. Harry was a cat. Miles said he was a cat. You wanna argue with Miles, it's your funeral. Harry would've schooled your ass. He may not have been an innovator like Pops or Miles, but he had chops. Show some respect.

[@teegree2595]

Ray Herr no respect. . all trumpet players are the wide receivers of music.

[@RaygAgainstheMachine]

Tee GREE 2 Tell that to Charlie Parker. I don't think he knows it.

[@teegree2595]

Ray Herr bird is a different story... he's like the Bo Jackson... he can block, run, catch and sometimes throw

[@moonchildnear]

Its a shame the video quality ain't better but it still good. Not one of his betters in my opinion, but that could be due to the fact thar I c this real old school disiney cartoon in my head everytime I hear this.

[@theartfactor]

The studio recording of FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE by Harry James is available on several complilations of Harry's music on Amazon.com. The specific CD album is ALL TIME FAVORITIES, Columbia Records special products. Check out the many other H.J. albums for this track also.

[@theartfactor]

I have heard through a ten year veteran in the H.J. trumpet section in the mid to late '60's that Harry purposely had arrangements scored in the toughest keys as a discipline.

[@daveylee2726]

TOTALLY AGREE !!!!

[@keiththomas3141]

He's the best there ever was.

[@tommytrojan09]

HAHAHA!!! The look on his face at 01:51 says it all, "I'm Harry James, bitch." 😎

[@012gummy]

Swaggalious !! He got that swag !

[@joem7641]

When I picked up the trumpet in the 4th grade, my Grandmother played this on an old 78 rpm record she had. Flip side was Carnival of Venice. Wonder what happened to that? It was as thick as a dinner plate.

[@awolfirebender]

tis amazing...the trumpet didn't burst into flames

[@aliyajohnson4276]

I just started the trumpet a week ago and I can’t even barely play an F

[@Funkadelic3]

Aliya J Takes time and practice! It's a good idea to play a little each day. Focus on using good breathing technique and thinking of making a pretty sound when you play. If you keep at it eventually you'll be able to play more difficult things.

[@ColinMroczko]

It’s hard man. I’ve been playing for six years and there’s still a lot of struggles. Just make sure you play everyday and your problems will be minimal in the long term.

[@aliyajohnson4276]

@@ColinMroczko I can play an F now 😎😎 I can play the whole scale, even high A

[@ColinMroczko]

@@aliyajohnson4276 nice

[@ralphecairns5272]

Harry James was an incredibleand classic horn man he doesnt work up a drop of sweat .INdeed Harry is a legendary trumpet player.PS to all floks in you tube land is their a Winston Mysells viedo of this,OR another legendary trumpet player "Cat" Anderson

[@shirleyjennings5787]

Great!

[@jdbolt1955]

*speechless* :-)

[@theartfactor]

That makes sense because in Vegas and elsewhere with his big band playing mostly Jazz solos or ballads circular breathing would never be necessary but being the classically trained virtuoso he was, as a young guy, when he played the bravura classical numbers he more than likely used it then. As I stated before the circular breathing is primarily used by classical trumpeters especially on the long solo passages common in trumpet literature.

[@stayoffduhweed]

I'm first chair in our symphonic band but just......... Wow

[@theartfactor]

Please give it up. Harry performed BEE countless times at the same speed. Face the fact that he was a virtuoso and could do things on the trumpet others only dreamed of.

[@Gingahbreadman98]

not sped up, Harry James is just the best trumpet player ever, i know his tone isn't comparative to other players but that's why he was the best trumpet player ever, he has such a nice fat tone that is distinctive to every other player out there...

[@clmortenson]

Thank you so much for the upload, I'm reading a great bio of Harry right now called "Trumpet Blues" and I need to get a fix of the real thing every few chapters! ; )

[@RobertWPaine]

“He hunts the biggest of all game - public enemies that even the G-Men cannot reach. The GREEN HORNET!”