Columbia Theatre1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, WA, 98632
Harry James was eight when he learned to play trumpet. He joined the Ben Pollack group and moved on to three successful years with Benny Goodman before founding Harry James and his Music Makers. He gave a young Frank Sinatra his first job and first million-seller hit with All or Nothing at All. He launched the careers of Big Band vocalists Connie Haines, Helen Forrest, and Kitty Callen for which he produced a string of hits including I’ll Get By, I Don’t Want to Walk Without You, I Cried for You, and I Had the Craziest Dream. Under the direction of Fred Radke, who played lead trumpet with Harry James this is the only Big Band era orchestra that maintains a direct line back to its founder.
