Concerto for Trumpet (James)

bill benzon · 11-21-2008, 01:56 PM

Here's a little exercise in stylistic comparison. We start with a Harry James special, Concerto for Trumpet. It's a stylistic mishmash but, hey, it's Harry James.

As played by James himself:

YouTube - Harry James - Concerto for Trumpet

Now we have the same material as reinterpreted by Alan Morrison and the Grimethorpe Brass Band:

YouTube - Alan Morrison 1985 "Harry James Trumpet...

ecarroll · 11-21-2008, 04:11 PM

Bill,

A very good Australian trumpeter named Simon Wolnitzer (Sydney Conservatory) brought the James Concerto to Chosen Vale last summer, triggering an interesting discussion. I probably agree with Tom Stevens that Harry had little to do with the actual composition or orchestration of the piece, relying instead with the "in house" composers at the studio.

By the way, Harry's wife Betty Grable, the pin-up of pin-ups during WW2, used to complain that all Harry was interested in were baseball and the trumpet, not her. Poor guy.

Best,
EC

Solar Bell · 11-21-2008, 04:25 PM

Here ia a transcription...

Now you can play it right along with Harry......sure.

http://pubcs.free.fr/jg/jg_HJames_Co...or_Trumpet.pdf

I've never heard ANYONE come close to Harry's playing, and this is a good example.

-cw-

BrassOnLine · 11-21-2008, 04:44 PM

I got Harry James' video since long time ago... still surprising to me.
STUNNING !!!

bill benzon · 11-21-2008, 05:01 PM

I have no trouble believing it was written by studio composers, Ed, not James himself. But it sure sounds like they were familiar with the cornet solo tradition & just added some swing underpinnings. It reminds me a bit of Mendez's version of Brahm's "Hungarian Dance No. 5," with its two swing sections (one marked "Blues Tempo" and the other "Tempo di blues"). And both are "exotic" minor-key pieces.

The thing is, pop pieces like this are as close to (or as far from) classical as to jazz. And America music had lots of this kind of music from Gershwin on through the 40s.

ecarroll · 11-21-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill benzon

IBut it sure sounds like they were familiar with the cornet solo tradition & just added some swing underpinnings. . . .And America music had lots of this kind of music from Gershwin on through the 40s.

Bill,

Obviously, and you're absolutely right. I'm getting very into the songs of the 20s/30s/and 40s myself. A sign of advancing age? (my students are probably nodding in unison).

Damn, Harry James had a trumpet sound, didn't he? And he was a "star" long before some of the oft-cited-on-the-internet icons came onto the scene.

Best,
EC

ecarroll · 11-21-2008, 05:50 PM

Quick.....what was the name of the film that this appeared in?

TrentAustin · 11-21-2008, 05:50 PM

Harry James rocks.

TrentAustin · 11-21-2008, 05:52 PM

private buckaroo

bill benzon · 11-21-2008, 06:00 PM

"Private Buckaroo" I believe.

Of course, for an extended display of Jame's playing, nothing beats "Young Man With a Horn." He didn't appear on screen, but he did all the trumpet playing for Kirk Douglas.

Yes, he had a deep and real trumpet sound.

11-21-2008, 04:11 PM	#2
ecarroll Artist in Residence Forte User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NH/CA/PQ Posts: 1,969	Re: Concerto for Trumpet (James) Bill, A very good Australian trumpeter named Simon Wolnitzer (Sydney Conservatory) brought the James Concerto to Chosen Vale last summer, triggering an interesting discussion. I probably agree with Tom Stevens that Harry had little to do with the actual composition or orchestration of the piece, relying instead with the "in house" composers at the studio. By the way, Harry's wife Betty Grable, the pin-up of pin-ups during WW2, used to complain that all Harry was interested in were baseball and the trumpet, not her. Poor guy. Best, EC

11-21-2008, 04:25 PM	#3
Solar Bell Moderator Utimate User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 5,526	Re: Concerto for Trumpet (James) Here ia a transcription... Now you can play it right along with Harry......sure. http://pubcs.free.fr/jg/jg_HJames_Co...or_Trumpet.pdf I've never heard ANYONE come close to Harry's playing, and this is a good example. -cw- __________________ Chuck Willard *The Willard of Oz* "Don't be afraid to see what you see." Ronald Reagan The average response time of a 911 call is over 4 minutes. The average speed of my 9mm is 1250 fps *When seconds count....the police are only minutes away.* Last edited by Solar Bell; 11-21-2008 at 04:31 PM.

11-21-2008, 04:44 PM	#4
BrassOnLine Piano User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 308	Re: Concerto for Trumpet (James) I got Harry James' video since long time ago... still surprising to me. STUNNING !!! __________________ F. Pérez Historical Brass Instruments Super-Horns & Custom Trumpets www.Baroque-Trumpets.com

11-21-2008, 05:01 PM	#5
bill benzon Pianissimo User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Jersey City Posts: 62	Re: Concerto for Trumpet (James) I have no trouble believing it was written by studio composers, Ed, not James himself. But it sure sounds like they were familiar with the cornet solo tradition & just added some swing underpinnings. It reminds me a bit of Mendez's version of Brahm's "Hungarian Dance No. 5," with its two swing sections (one marked "Blues Tempo" and the other "Tempo di blues"). And both are "exotic" minor-key pieces. The thing is, pop pieces like this are as close to (or as far from) classical as to jazz. And America music had lots of this kind of music from Gershwin on through the 40s.

11-21-2008, 05:50 PM	#7
ecarroll Artist in Residence Forte User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NH/CA/PQ Posts: 1,969	Re: Concerto for Trumpet (James) Quick.....what was the name of the film that this appeared in?

11-21-2008, 05:50 PM	#8
TrentAustin Forte User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,058	Re: Concerto for Trumpet (James) Harry James rocks. __________________ http://trentaustinmusic.com Consultant, S.E. Shires Trumpets Shires B59BLW "TA" model Bb trumpet Adams Gold Brass Flugelhorn Wedge Mouthpieces PM me for an appointment to try a Shires!

11-21-2008, 05:52 PM	#9
TrentAustin Forte User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,058	Re: Concerto for Trumpet (James) private buckaroo __________________ http://trentaustinmusic.com Consultant, S.E. Shires Trumpets Shires B59BLW "TA" model Bb trumpet Adams Gold Brass Flugelhorn Wedge Mouthpieces PM me for an appointment to try a Shires!

11-21-2008, 06:00 PM	#10
bill benzon Pianissimo User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Jersey City Posts: 62	Re: Concerto for Trumpet (James) "Private Buckaroo" I believe. Of course, for an extended display of Jame's playing, nothing beats "Young Man With a Horn." He didn't appear on screen, but he did all the trumpet playing for Kirk Douglas. Yes, he had a deep and real trumpet sound.

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