In 2012, trumpeter Bunny Austin sent in this picture of drummer Harry Miller and Joe Harriott for our Photographic Memories page. Harry and Joe are standing at the entrance to Cooks Ferry Inn from the car park. The date is somewhere around 1966.
Legendary saxophonist Joe Harriott came to Britain in 1951 from Jamaica, and fortunately for us, decided to stay. Click here for more information about Joe. Click here to sample Joe's album Killer Joe.
Others have since remembered Jo and so we have set up this page to include their recollections.
Peter Pohl wrote:
'I heard Joe Harriott play at the 100 club ca.1952. He "sat in" for a few numbers with the Band of the evening (Humph ???). Took Me back a few years! I had fogotten him completly till I read the article.'
8.2010
Chris Ball recalls a time when:
Joe visited Stafford where I played soprano sax in a local band. Our manager booked Joe and a local piano and drummer, and promoted the gig in Stafford. Our band played in the interval and at the end, it was suggested we play all in. Joe suggested C Jam Blues, whereupon I asked what key ? Joe fell about laughing, and I felt a right idiot, 'C' of course. After the gig, we went to some house for a drink, and I spent a couple of hours talking to Joe. What a great and kind man he was. He invented free jazz, was a brilliant player, and he was only lauded when he was dead. My time with Joe was in the early 60's. I still play soprano and clarinet and would really love to play in a band again. By the way I did learn to play in 'C'!
5.2012
Gerry Salisbury says:
Joe Harriot took me to the sunset club near the Palladium in the sixties, which was a club for 'coloured' people and Joe led the way. Joe being tall and me being short I kept behind Joe as he marched forward saying in a warning way 'HE'S WITH ME', and I had a superb evening playing some music that was sometimes way above my head, but playing next to Joe has an effect on you that drags the best out of you as many of us have discovered standing next to the top players.
11.2012
Does anyone else remember Joe?
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