[Dixielandjazz] Harry Harman

[Joe Bebco]

Harry Harman, Australian Gentleman of Jazz, Dies at 91

The Syncopated Times
https://syncopatedtimes.com/harry-harman-australian-gentleman-of-jazz-dies-at-91/


Harry Harman, an Australian traditional jazz devotee, died January 2nd
at age 91. He was recently active with his band Harry Harman’s
Gentlemen of Jazz, The Dixie Stompers, The New Wolverine Jazz
Orchestra, in small groups, and as the host of  The Rhythm Club, a
Wednesday afternoon jazz radio program in Gosford, NSW. His
contributions to traditional jazz in Australia began over 70 years
ago.

In 1948 he formed the Paramount Jazz Band after attending a jazz
convention in Melbourne. At the time he was playing guitar but
switched to tuba to fill a need. In 1953 the band founded the Sydney
Jazz Club, just to have a place to play regularly for a small group of
fans. At its peak, the club’s events would draw as many as 1200 people
for traditional jazz at a time when swing and vocalists dominated
Australian nightclubs. In the mid-50s the club organized a jazz school
so that they could have young alternates available when musicians had
family or work obligations. The club still hosts monthly events.

In the late 50s, he switched from tuba to double bass to play with the
Port Jackson Jazz Band. In 1962 he joined the Graeme Bell’s All-Stars
and began his only five years as a full-time professional musician.
For one of those years, again to fill a need, he learned and played
the banjo before returning to tuba and bass for most of his career.

He was a founding member of the New Wolverine Jazz Orchestra in 1984,
and after retiring from his career as an electrical wholesaler,
devoted much of his time to the band. They played the Edinburgh Jazz
Festival in 1993 and toured the United States nine times, most
recently in 2007. Many American musicians and fans remember him from
Bix Fest and other events.

Back home he has hosted jazz programs on community radio for almost 25
years. He was awarded The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in
2010 for service to Jazz.


Joe Bebco
Associate Editor
SyncopatedTimes.com (315) 507-5490
A monthly newspaper covering Hot Jazz, Ragtime, and Swing.