If I might add a thing or two...
Harry Haag James was born on March 15, 1916 in Albany, GA. His mother, Mabel, was an aerial artist the the Mighty Haag circus. His father, Everette, was director for the circus tent show, as well as its featured trumpet player.
It is alleged that Harry could play a pretty fair set of drums by the time he was four. Harry started the trumpet at the age of eight, being taught by his father. Only a year later, young James played well enough to take over a trumpet spot in his father's band. Not long after that, he was playing the best trumpet in the entire circus, and took over all the solos. By the time he was twleve, he was leading one of two Christy Circus bands.
Harry's father was once interviewed, and stated that young James practiced at least 2 hours daily, during his young, formative years. Later in his career, the elder James stated that Harry practiced six hours a day...3 hours on fundamentals, and 3 hours on actual playing of music.
Harry was "hired" by Benny Goodman, on 12/25/36, who asked him to take over a trumpet spot in his band. Harry joined the band on 1/12/37. When he joined BG, two other trumpet greats were working beside him - Dhris Griffin and Ziggy Elman.
By the end of 1937, Harry's fame had so grown that he copped first place in the nationwide annual Down Beat musician popularity contact, beating such long-time favorites as Bunny Berigan, Louis Armstrong, and Roy Eldridge. This came as a surprise to everyone, especially because in the previous year's contests he hand't received a single vote!
The first rehearsal of Harry's own band occurred on 1/5/39.
Now, concerning Frank Sinatra...
Frank first came to the attention of Harry in 1938 when Harry was still with BG. Harry and Dave Matthews used to sit around and listen to all-night radio shows. At the time, Frank had just begun his singing career with a job as a single at the Rustic Cabin, Englewood, NJ. When Harry heard Frank for the first time, he was so impressed by the quality of the young singer's voice that he stated to Matthews, "I don't know who that guy is, but If I ever get a band organized, he's going to be in it."
In June of 1939, Frank, still working at the Cabin, heard that Bob Chester was building a band in NYC. Frank proceeded there and started rehearsing with the crew. At the same time, trombonist Jack Miles of Guy Lombardo's band was forming an outfit of his own and looking for a singer. Frank, just to be sure of getting one job, auditioned for the Miles band also. Meanwhile, Harry's band was already working and looking for a male singer. Having learned where Frank was working, Harry and several of the boys in his band took a trip over to Jersey and asked him if he'd like to go on the road with them. Possibly feeling that a band in the hand is worth 2 in rehearsal, Frank accepted Harry's offer on the spot!! So, Harry did indeed discover Frank, in the form of first giving Frank truly national exposure!
Concerning the alcohol allegations, the link to the following article concerning the book about his life, may help answer those questions:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...556424-4964939
Sorry for being so long-winded, but Harry is one of my favorite, if not THE favorite, trumpet players!
Blessings,