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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZHARRISON, Jimmy(b 17 Oct. 1900, Louisville KY; d 23 July '31, NYC) Trombonist, also vocalist. Played in carnival bands, developing comedy routines; to NYC '23, at Small's Sugarcane Club with his friend June Clark on trumpet (b Algeria Junius Clark, 24 March 1900, Long Beach NJ; d 23 Feb. '63, NYC; quit full-time music c'37, suffered from TB), Bill Basie on piano; worked with other bands but best-known with Fletcher Henderson from '27: fired for a short period because he was a poor reader, but become the band's trombone star, playing fast and high under the infl. of Louis Armstrong. Close pals with Coleman Hawkins and especially Jack Teagarden, the greatest black and white trombonists of the late '20s; the three often stayed up all night jamming together. Died of cancer; a continuing influence for years. |