Like many others I recall seeing the great Joe Harriott at the Marquee with Shake Keane, Coleridge Goode on bass & Bill Le Sage on piano - what a band and how wonderful to see such a moving comment from Joe's daughter on this site.
I saw Joe Harriott and his Quartet in circa 1961 playing at the jazz venue at that time, the George Hotel in Burslem, one of the six towns of the Potteries. I always remember him introducing the first tune.... that great song, 'Can't Get Started'. Later in the decade Joe got to know some of the local musicians, and made friends with jazzers in Stoke in the last couple of years of his life, when things weren't going well for him financially, around 1971-72, due mainly to the music businesses' neglect of his great talent. In particular Joe was befriended by jazz drummer Pete Cotterill (one time Tommy Burton trio member, based in Brum -And later joining the Max Collie Rhythm Aces, and touring Europe and the UK for many years with that band, before he passed the job over to one of his three sons -Robert). Pete during his Tommy Burton days, was living way out in the sticks in deepest Cheshire, in a detached, isolated cottage in a tiny hamlet called Coole Pilate. Pete had a caravan parked on his land and Joe moved into it, living there happily for several months, gigging around mainly in Manchester and Brum. Surviving. Joe was well liked by the Stoke jazzers who offered him a warm welcome during the few months he spent among us. Never forgotten. Sadly, Robert died tragically young of a massive heart attack in Calais in 1997 when travelling back from a winter season in Switzerland, aged only 32. His dad Pete passed away a couple of years later aged in his early 60s, leaving behind his wife Lyn, elder brother and Rock drummer John, and younger brother lead guitarist David; both still happily gigging around, as is Robert's only son Jack Cotterill who runs his own band, being also a drummer. Robert left behind wife Georgina, and Jack's younger sister Ella. RIP all jazzers and musicians everywhere.
I've played music almost 50 years and jazz for 28 years. There have been plenty of alto players but Joe has a sound so distinct. He was one of the greatest, ever... In the class master players
I hope I am not overstating it to say that Joe is one of the greatest of all sax players. I am not actually that keen on alto but this guy has such a fantastic tone and can play beautifully and wild at the same time. Every time I hear him it sends me! Such a shame he is not more recognised.
I saw Joe live several times, once in support of American top liners at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester. He was a great player - his Abstract album got five stars on Downbeat at the time - a major achievement for a player from the UK and he is now widely justly recognised as an unique voice on alto, playing in a very individual way without imitating Bird or Ornette.
Joe harriott the alto player from the UK all so Ronnie Ross on baritone dick morrissey on tenor and.peter king on alto and the tenor.player tubby Edward hayes
I've read that this is the only known video of Joe. In awe of those below who saw the great man playing in London in the 50s and 60s - how lucky you were!
This is about as sweet as gets. Just a beautiful rendition. To be able to stand there on stage, alone with your instrument, and deliver such feeling and beauty is something most of us can only dream about.
Lovely stuff! Used to catch Joe in his 'hard bop' phase at the Marquee (then in Oxford St) in the early sixties. Shakes Kean on trumpet and a permanently stoned Phil Seamen on drums. Air thick - just breath deeply to get high. Dankworth for the first half, with Cleo Laine watching in the audience and a young unknown called Dudley Moore playing solo piano in the interval. But it was Joe I went to hear. Had to sprint to Oxford Circus to get last tube home, but it was worth it every time!
I remember the old Marquee too. Joe Harriott with Bobby Orr on drums. Also the Dankworth Orchestra with Dudley as the band pianist. Great days. Also was a regular at the Star Club, just a drinking club, but with Alan Clare on piano. Remember seeing Tubby Hayes emerging from the toilet helping Phil Seaman to walk after, presumably, fixing up.
Nice to hear these two masters of British jazz (or any other for that matter). I'm so glad this was preserved. Joe Harriott went way too young and unnoticed. Thanks!
I first heard Joe at my friend Ron Marshall's club at the Anchor Inn in Brighouse. It was during the 'winter of discontent' and the only lighting was candles. I took a photo and it looks as though lightning was coming from the bell of his sax. the music was certainly electrifying.
A class act who never got the breaks he really deserved. A decade after those brilliant free jazz albums were released (and quickly deleted), the label ECM was created with huge critical and commercial success. I have met a few people who knew Joe, and they said he was a very polite man. That's the price you pay for being too far ahead of your time.
Wonderful to not only hear but see Joe again. I was a fan and knew him when I was a young teenager. He was ahead of his time, a gifted musician and quite a shy or maybe reserved man - in fact he could come across as a bit grumpy - but he was kind to me and actually remembered me when I went to see him years later at Ronnie Scott's. Timing is everything, they say, and the opportunities did not materialise for him as they should have. By the way he is t.v. chef Ainsley Harriott's uncle and I believe Ainsley's dad was a good pianist too.
@116978912459975616594 Thanks for sharing those delightful memories.I had a friend now sadly deceased who also knew Joe, and said exactly the same thing. The emergence of The Beatles also had a massive impact on the jazz scene, on both sides of the Atlantic. As you rightly pointed out, opportunities for jazz musicians became much more sparse. Even Miles suffered, forced to support acts like Blood, Sweat And Tears !
My Dad, Amazing Sax Player!!!
Very Wonderful! Are you a player, I'm a Free player.🙂
Like many others I recall seeing the great Joe Harriott at the Marquee with Shake Keane, Coleridge Goode on bass & Bill Le Sage on piano - what a band and how wonderful to see such a moving comment from Joe's daughter on this site.
I saw Joe Harriott and his Quartet in circa 1961 playing at the jazz venue at that time, the George Hotel in Burslem, one of the six towns of the Potteries. I always remember him introducing the first tune.... that great song, 'Can't Get Started'.
Later in the decade Joe got to know some of the local musicians, and made friends with jazzers in Stoke in the last couple of years of his life, when things weren't going well for him financially, around 1971-72, due mainly to the music businesses' neglect of his great talent.
In particular Joe was befriended by jazz drummer Pete Cotterill (one time Tommy Burton trio member, based in Brum -And later joining the Max Collie Rhythm Aces, and touring Europe and the UK for many years with that band, before he passed the job over to one of his three sons -Robert).
Pete during his Tommy Burton days, was living way out in the sticks in deepest Cheshire, in a detached, isolated cottage in a tiny hamlet called Coole Pilate. Pete had a caravan parked on his land and Joe moved into it, living there happily for several months, gigging around mainly in Manchester and Brum. Surviving.
Joe was well liked by the Stoke jazzers who offered him a warm welcome during the few months he spent among us. Never forgotten.
Sadly, Robert died tragically young of a massive heart attack in Calais in 1997 when travelling back from a winter season in Switzerland, aged only 32. His dad Pete passed away a couple of years later aged in his early 60s, leaving behind his wife Lyn, elder brother and Rock drummer John, and younger brother lead guitarist David; both still happily gigging around, as is Robert's only son Jack Cotterill who runs his own band, being also a drummer. Robert left behind wife Georgina, and Jack's younger sister Ella.
RIP all jazzers and musicians everywhere.
I've played music almost 50 years and jazz for 28 years. There have been plenty of alto players but Joe has a sound so distinct. He was one of the greatest, ever... In the class master players
Such beautiful playing. So glad I saw him playing live.
Jamaica and Jamaicans make the best music in the world!!! Joe Harriott is the boss!
I remember Joe performing regularly at the LEOFRIC HOTEL in Coventry during the 60's. Wonderful memories evoked. Thank you.
I hope I am not overstating it to say that Joe is one of the greatest of all sax players. I am not actually that keen on alto but this guy has such a fantastic tone and can play beautifully and wild at the same time. Every time I hear him it sends me! Such a shame he is not more recognised.
I saw Joe live several times, once in support of American top liners at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester. He was a great player - his Abstract album got five stars on Downbeat at the time - a major achievement for a player from the UK and he is now widely justly recognised as an unique voice on alto, playing in a very individual way without imitating Bird or Ornette.
My great grandad
You should be proud of him, he was a great man who continues to touch people with his music!
Joe harriott the alto player from the UK all so Ronnie Ross on baritone dick morrissey on tenor and.peter king on alto and the tenor.player tubby Edward hayes
I've read that this is the only known video of Joe. In awe of those below who saw the great man playing in London in the 50s and 60s - how lucky you were!
This is about as sweet as gets. Just a beautiful rendition. To be able to stand there on stage, alone with your instrument, and deliver such feeling and beauty is something most of us can only dream about.
Lovely stuff! Used to catch Joe in his 'hard bop' phase at the Marquee (then in Oxford St) in the early sixties. Shakes Kean on trumpet and a permanently stoned Phil Seamen on drums. Air thick - just breath deeply to get high. Dankworth for the first half, with Cleo Laine watching in the audience and a young unknown called Dudley Moore playing solo piano in the interval. But it was Joe I went to hear. Had to sprint to Oxford Circus to get last tube home, but it was worth it every time!
Beresford1941
Wonderful memory.
The inconvenience of running to catch a train effaced by all that beauty your ears drank in.
I remember the old Marquee too. Joe Harriott with Bobby Orr on drums. Also the Dankworth Orchestra with Dudley as the band pianist. Great days. Also was a regular at the Star Club, just a drinking club, but with Alan Clare on piano. Remember seeing Tubby Hayes emerging from the toilet helping Phil Seaman to walk after, presumably, fixing up.
He was one of the true greats. A sad life maybe but full of beautiful playing.
At least I caught Joe live at the Bulls Head 😊
What a very special musician, what a remote and complex fella judging by the great biography that came out a few years back..
Jamaica has raised great artists!! Peace!
Magnificent and a unique style
Beautiful playing all round
Nice to hear these two masters of British jazz (or any other for that matter). I'm so glad this was preserved. Joe Harriott went way too young and unnoticed. Thanks!
Fabulous sax solo from a legend who from the 70s struggled for work.
Should have gone to Denmark/Sweden/Germany they loved him there.
I love the tone of his playing.....
thank you so much for posting this I saw a snippet of this on the Jazz Britannia documentary back in 2005 just brilliant.....
I first heard Joe at my friend Ron Marshall's club at the Anchor Inn in Brighouse. It was during the 'winter of discontent' and the only lighting was candles. I took a photo and it looks as though lightning was coming from the bell of his sax. the music was certainly electrifying.
And My Great Dad
Also played at the Flamingo in Wardour Street, Soho. Great days.
Joe harriott peter king are my favourite british alto saxophonist.
thanks cheesford for this remarkable find! after all these years i finally get to see Joe Harriot. !
lovely piece here....
wordofgord
Beautiful Joe supreme......thanks.
11-30 pm headphones on listening to magic jazz.
Genius! I shall definitely pay my respects when next in Southampton
This really sets the mood
A class act who never got the breaks he really deserved.
A decade after those brilliant free jazz albums were released
(and quickly deleted), the label ECM was created with huge critical and commercial success. I have met a few people who knew Joe, and
they said he was a very polite man.
That's the price you pay for being too far ahead of your time.
Wonderful to not only hear but see Joe again. I was a fan and knew him when I was a young teenager. He was ahead of his time, a gifted musician and quite a shy or maybe reserved man - in fact he could come across as a bit grumpy - but he was kind to me and actually remembered me when I went to see him years later at Ronnie Scott's. Timing is everything, they say, and the opportunities did not materialise for him as they should have. By the way he is t.v. chef Ainsley Harriott's uncle and I believe Ainsley's dad was a good pianist too.
@116978912459975616594 Thanks for sharing those
delightful memories.I had a friend now sadly
deceased who also knew Joe, and said exactly the same thing. The emergence of The Beatles also had a massive impact on the jazz scene, on both sides of the Atlantic.
As you rightly pointed out, opportunities for jazz musicians became much more sparse.
Even Miles suffered, forced to support acts like Blood, Sweat
And Tears !
The great Joe Harriott. Charlie Parker just got in ahead of him. What an amazing player and a very nice guy. Died in poverty.
amazing, u must be so proud. mum hasnt stop playing it.
wonderful!
I wish there was a live recording of the "Abstract" album...
wonderful and forever new
Proper music!
dope
Joe Harriott!! Where have you found it ??? Bellissimo
grazie/thank you for this pearl
cool!
67 at a guess?
MY MUSIC - THE GREAT JOE HARRIOTT !!!