Home / Biography / Harry Lawson

Harry Lawson

Harry Lawson, whose nickname in the best band heydays from the ’30s and ’40s was “Big Jim,” celebrated his 99th birthday in 2003. Maybe his longevity could be attributed to quitting playing trumpet, which he was pressured to accomplish in the past due ’50s because of issues with his tooth. He had currently put in almost four years of professional music activity by enough time his chops actually gave out, starting as both a trombonist and trumpeter at age 15 and within a couple of years becoming a member of up with different circus and carnival ensembles. Lawson’s preliminary jazz get in touch with was bandleader Terrence Holder in the first ’20s. This association was adopted quickly by a protracted involvement using the music of innovative bandleader Andy Kirk. The trumpeter, occasionally assuming chores like a musical movie director, worked continuously with Kirk through the first ’40s. At that time he supported off playing full-time music, but still produced himself open to Kirk on an intermittent basis through 1956. “Big Jim” was a existence in Kirk’s functions not merely as a new player however in the repertoire of the group itself. “Big Jim Blues,” a simple, relaxed theme in the Kirk established list, was co-written by Lawson and Kirk’s regular pianist, the fantastic Mary Lou Williams. This trumpeter shouldn’t be confused using the Harry Lawson who performed saxophone on recordings by vocalists such as for example Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee.

Check Also

King Mutt & His Tennessee Thumpers

Ruler Mutt & His Tennessee Thumpers stay among the great mysteries of jazz discography. They …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.