Harry James

Clem Frak worked for King Musical Instruments for 35 years! As vice president of sales, Clem is well known by many of the veteran dealers for his integrity. Retailer Bob Menchey stated, “Clem’s word was all I ever needed. If he said he could get the product to us in time, it would arrive – no question.” Clem worked with many of the top designers in the business during his time at King, along with famous players such as Harry James. When Clem began working for the company it was known as H. N. White and Company, but due to the strong popularity of their King band instrument line, the company name was changed.

Jake Hanna was the epitome of what a big band drummer is all about. Jake started playing drums at five in a drum corps in the Boston area. He continued to play drums in the bands of Harry James, Maynard Ferguson, and Woody Herman, among others. He was widely known and respected in the recording studios and on television shows from Los Angeles and Hollywood. Jake was also much in demand at jazz festivals worldwide and on jazz cruises. With his wry wit and extensive memory, he was a gifted raconteur. His interview took place on at the Hilton Hotel, site of the San Diego Jazz party in 2006.

Leif Juhl has had quite a life in music! As a boy, he picked up a trumpet – the instrument he still played in his early 90s when his oral history interview was completed at his Arizona home. Leif was the ad man for Selmer before forming the Juhl Ad Agency in Elkhart, Indiana. Over the years, he worked for many instrument companies and even helped design some accessories such as a special trumpet case with a hidden compartment. His first NAMM Oral History interview was completed on May 4, 2003.

Jackie Mills as a drummer put down the beat for jazz and big band stars such as Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Barnet, Dizzy Gillespie and Billie Holiday. As a record producer, he played a critical role in the careers of Janis Joplin, Irene Kral and Bobby Sherman. As the co-founder of Choreo Records (later known as Ava Records) he worked with Tommy Wolf to create a music publishing company (Choreo Music) that provided a wide range of songs by several key songwriters for over 40 years. As a songwriter, he gave songs to cartoon and other children’s programs including three classic songs for the Brady Bunch in the early 1970s. And all the while Jackie Mills loved being a part of music making! 

Lee O’Connor was a noted trombone player in the golden era of the big bands. His experience on the radio, traveling from town to town for name and territory bands, reflected the struggles of the Great Depression and the amazing impact music had on people. Lee was hired by Harry James at the most popular point of Harry’s orchestra and stayed with the group for four years.