Trumpet-playing bandleader Harry James — in full, Harry Haag James — was one of the most popular trumpeters of the big band era.
His parents were Maybelle and Everette James, “two of the principal performers in the Might Haag Shows,” which was “a traveling circus that only played small towns touring the South and Southeast.” His father, the director of the Mighty Haag band, was both a trumpeter and a cornetist. His mother was an aerialist who also rode horses and played the calliope.
Harry Haag James was born in early 1916 in Albany, Georgia — where the circus happened to be located at the time. His middle name was bestowed in honor of the circus’ owner, Ernest Haag.
Several sources claim that Harry James’ first name was actually “Henry,” but I found no proof of this. In fact, I noticed that his paternal grandfather’s name was also Harry.
P.S. Here’s a New England baby from the 1840s who was also named after a circus…
Sources:
- Levinson, Peter J. Trumpet Blues: The Life of Harry James. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
- Harry James – Wikipedia
- FamilySearch.org
Image: Clipping from Billboard magazine (21 Mar. 1942)