Jimmy Harrison, born James Henry Harrison on October 17, 1900, in Louisville, Kentucky, was a prominent American jazz trombonist known for his contributions to early jazz and swing music. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Harrison was largely self-taught and began playing the trombone at the age of 15. Initially, he played locally in Toledo, Ohio, while managing a family restaurant and playing semi-pro baseball. However, he chose to pursue a career in music and joined a traveling minstrel show in the late 1910s.

By 1919, Harrison was leading his own jazz ensemble in Atlantic City and performing with bands led by Charlie Johnson and Sam Wooding. He later moved to Detroit to play with Hank Duncan and Roland Smith. Returning to Toledo, he worked with musicians like June Clark and James P. Johnson before relocating to New York City for a stint with Fess Williams.

In 1924, June Clark took over leadership of Harrison's ensemble, but Harrison continued to perform in it. He joined Billy Fowler's orchestra in 1925 and played with Duke Ellington briefly in the mid-1920s. Harrison's collaborations extended to working with Elmer Snowden and Fletcher Henderson later in the decade. Known for his ability to play high riffs on the trombone, Harrison was admired for his musicality and was influenced by Louis Armstrong.

While touring with Fletcher Henderson in 1930, Harrison developed a digestive ailment that led to his untimely death from stomach cancer on July 23, 1931, in New York City at the age of 30. Despite his short life, Harrison left a lasting impact on the jazz world, performing with several notable bands and influencing the development of jazz trombone playing.