Harry James (1916-1983) led a highly successful big band through the mid-20th century. A virtuoso trumpeter, James joined Benny Goodman’s band in 1937 and two years later debuted his own band with Goodman’s financial backing. His band was the first major one to employ Frank Sinatra as a singer, while in later years his band included Buddy Rich. He appeared in numerous films, and his second marriage (of three) was to movie star Betty Grable.