Harry Beckett

Harry Beckett
Background information
Birth name Harold Winston Beckett
Born (1935-05-30)30 May 1935
Saint Michael, Barbados
Died 22 July 2010(2010-07-22) (aged 75)
London, England
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Trumpet, flugelhorn
Years active 19612010

Harold Winston "Harry" Beckett (30 May 1935[1] 22 July 2010) was a British trumpeter and flugelhorn player of Barbadian origin.

Biography

Born in Bridgetown, Saint Michael, Barbados, Harry Beckett learned to play music in a Salvation Army band.[2] A resident in the UK since 1954, he had an international reputation. In 1961, he played with Charles Mingus in the film All Night Long.[3] In the 1960s he worked and recorded within the band of bass player and composer Graham Collier.[3] Beginning in 1970, he led groups of his own, recording for Philips, RCA and Ogun Records among other labels.

He was a key figure of important groups in the British free jazz/improvised music scene, including Ian Carr's Nucleus, the Brotherhood of Breath and The Dedication Orchestra, London Jazz Composers Orchestra, London Improvisers Orchestra, John Surman's Octet, Django Bates, Ronnie Scott's Quintet, Kathy Stobart, Charlie Watts, Stan Tracey's Big Band and Octet; Elton Dean's Ninesense.[4] He has also recorded with Keef Hartley, Jah Wobble, David Sylvian and worked with David Murray. He toured abroad with Johnny Dyani, Chris McGregor, Keith Tippett, John Tchicai, Joachim Kühn, Dudu Pukwana's Zila, George Gruntz's Bands, Belgian quintet The Wrong Object, Pierre Dørge's New Jungle Band and Annie Whitehead's Robert Wyatt project, Soupsongs, which also featured Phil Manzanera and Julie Tippetts, among other jazz and rock luminaries.

His dub-oriented album, The Modern Sound of Harry Beckett, was produced by famed British producer Adrian Sherwood and released on On-U Sound in late 2008.

In 1972, Beckett won the Melody Maker jazz Poll as "Top Trumpeter in Britain". He was a member of the Orchestre National de Jazz between 1997 and 2000.[3]

Beckett died on 22 July 2010 after suffering a stroke.[5]

Selected discography

With Graham Collier

With Barry Guy/The London Jazz Composers' Orchestra

With Oliver Nelson

[Draft] Complete chronological discography

Artist/Group Title Original label Recording date Location Year first released
Various ArtistsSoundtrack to the film "All Night Long"Fontana01/01/61?1962
West African Rhythm Brothers?Melodisc?01/01/63?1963
Georgie Fame?Columbia?
Nigerian Union Rhythm Group?Melodisc?01/01/66?1966
Ambrose CampbellHigh Life Today Columbia Lansdowne01/01/66?1966
The Graham Collier SeptetDeep Dark Blue CentreDeram24/01/67"Jackson Studios, Rickmansworth,
Hertfordshire"1967
Herbie Goins & The Night-TimersNo.1 In Your HeartParlaphone01/07/67London1967
John Surman • Alan Skidmore • Tony OxleyJazz In Britain '68-'69Decca Eclipse01/03/69London1972
Small FacesOgdens’ Nut Gone FlakeImmediate01/01/68London1968
Graham CollierWorkpointsCuneiform16/03/68Southampton University, Southampton2005
John SurmanJohn Surman (Anglo-Sax in the US)Deram14/08/68London1969
The New Jazz OrchestraLe Déjeuner Sur L'HerbeVerve01/09/68Pye Studios, Marble Arch, London1969
Ray Russell QuartetDragon HillCBS Realm01/01/69London1969
Keef Hartley BandThe Battle Of North West SixDeram01/01/69Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London1969
Graham Collier SextetDown Another RoadFontana21/03/69London1969
Joe HarriottJourneyMoonlight Tunes18/04/69BBC TV Studios, London ?2011
Jack BruceSongs For A TailorPolydor20/05/69Morgan Studios, London1969
Manfred Mann Chapter ThreeManfred Mann Chapter ThreeVertigo01/06/69Maximum Sound Studios, London SE11969
Keef Hartley BandHalfbreedDeram01/06/69Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London1969
GalliardNew DawnDeram13/12/69London?1970
Mike OsborneOutbackTurtle01/01/70London1970
Bob Downes Open MusicElectric CityVertigo01/01/70London1970
Ray Russell’s Rock WorkshopRock WorkshopCBS01/01/70De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London1970
C.C.S.C.C.S.RAK01/01/70London1970
Manfred Mann Chapter ThreeVolume TwoVertigo01/01/70London1970
John SurmanHow Many Clouds Can You See?Deram01/03/70London1970
Ray Russell’s Rock WorkshopThe Very Last TimeCBS04/04/70De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London1971
Neil Ardley’s New Jazz OrchestraCamden ‘70Dusk Fire26/05/70Jeanetta Cochrane Theatre, London WC12008
Graham Collier MusicSongs For My FatherFontana01/06/70London1970
Various, Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim RiceJesus Christ SuperstarMCA01/06/70London1970
Memphis SlimBlue MemphisBarclay01/06/70?1970
ColosseumDaughter Of TimeVertigo01/07/70London1970
Harry BeckettFlare UpPhilips15/07/70London1970
Ray RussellRites And RitualsCBS01/08/70De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London1971
The TrioConflagrationDawn01/11/70London1971
Graham Collier MusicThe Alternate MosaicsBGO Records12/12/70The Torrington, North Finchley, London2008
Graham Collier Music Featuring Harry BeckettMosaicsPhilips12/12/70The Torrington, North Finchley, London1971
Ian Carr with NucleusSolar PlexusVertigo14/12/70Phonogram Studios, London1971
Michael GibbsTanglewood ‘63Deram23/12/70Morgan Studios, London1971
Harry BeckettWarm SmilesRCA Victor01/01/71Command Studios, London1971
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of BreathBrotherhoodRCA01/01/71London1971
Miller AndersonBright CityDeram01/01/71London1971
FacesLong PlayerWarner Brothers01/01/71Morgan Studios, London1971
StorytellerMore PagesTransatlantic01/01/71Sound Techniques, Chelsea, London1971
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of BreathChris McGregor’s Brotherhood of BreathRCA Neon09/01/71Sound Techniques, Chelsea, London1971
John Surman / John WarrenTales Of The AlgonquinDeram01/04/71London1971
Ray RussellLive At The I.C.A.RCA11/06/71ICA, The Mall, London1971
The Keef Hartley BandLittle Big BandDeram13/06/71Marquee Club, Wardour Street, London1971
Oliver NelsonSwiss SuiteFlying Dutchman16/06/71Montreux Jazz Festival1972
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of BreathBremen To BridgwaterCuneiform20/06/71Lila Eule, Bremen, Germany (1971) & Bridgwater Arts Centre, Bridgwater, UK (1975)2004
Neil ArdleyA Symphony Of AmaranthsRegal Zonophone23/06/71Lansdowne Studios, Holland Park, London1971
Mike Westbrook OrchestraMetropolisRCA Neon03/08/71Lansdowne Studios, Holland Park, London1971
The Running ManThe Running ManRCA Neon15/10/71Trident Studios, London W11972
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of BreathEclipse At DawnCuneiform04/11/71Berliner Philharmonie, Berliner Jazztage, Berlin, Germany2008
CCSCCSRAK01/01/72London1972
Alexis KornerBootleg Him!RAK01/01/72London1972
Harry Beckett's S & R Powerhouse SectionsThemes For FegaRCA Victor04/02/72ICA, The Mall, London1972
Coulson, Dean, McGuinness, FlintLo & BeholdDJM01/03/72Maximumsound, Old Kent Road, London1972
Barry Guy/The London Jazz Composers' OrchestraOdeIncus22/04/72Oxford Town Hall, Oxford1972
The Mike Gibbs BandJust AheadPolydor31/05/72Ronnie Scott’s Club, London1972
Alan Cohen BandDuke Ellington's Black Brown & BeigeArgo19/10/72Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London1973
ScaffoldFresh LiverIsland01/01/73Air Studios, Hampstead, London NW31973
Jaki WhitrenRaw But TenderEpic01/01/73Nova Sound Recording Studios, London1973
Ray RussellSecret AsylumBlack Lion Records01/01/73Black Lion Records Studios, London1973
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of BreathTravelling SomewhereCuneiform19/01/73Lila Eule, Bremen, Germany2001
Giorgio GasliniL'Integrale - Antologia Cronologica - CD N°7 (1973), CD N°8 (1973–74)Soul Note13/10/73Studio 7, Milan, Italy2008
Giorgio Gaslini & Jean-Luc PontyFabbrica occupataProduttori Associati27/10/73?1974
Sharon ForresterSharonAshanti01/01/74?1974
Alexis KornerMr BluesToadstool01/01/74London1974
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of BreathLive At WillisauOgun27/01/74Jazz Festival Willisau, Switzerland1974
Harry BeckettJoy UnlimitedCadillac Records12/03/74Chalk Farm Studios, Camden, London1975
Graham Collier MusicDariusMosaic13/03/74Cranfield Institute of Technology, Bedfordshire1974
Harry BeckettStill HappyDesire Records11/08/74BBC Studios, London2016
Graham Collier with Graham Collier MusicJazz IllustrationsResources of Music01/01/75?1975
Graham Collier with Graham Collier MusicJazz Lecture ConcertResources of Music01/01/75?1975
Bob Downes Open MusicHells AngelsOpenian01/01/75?1975
Various (including Graham Collier Music)Trad Dads, Dirty Boppers and Free FusioneersReel Recordings01/01/75?2012
Graham Collier MusicMidnight BlueMosaic17/02/75Nettlebed, Oxfordshire1975
John Warren BigbandLive (Sparkasse Bremen, Sparkasse In Concert II / 76)Sparkasse Bremen21/06/75der Aula des Ausbildungszentrums der Oberpostdirektion Bremen1976
Harry BeckettMemories of BacaresOgun25/11/75The Sussex, Culford Road, London N11975
Elton Dean's NinesenseOh! For The EdgeOgun22/03/76100 Club, London1976
Graham Collier MusicNew ConditionsMosaic02/06/76Nettlebed, Oxfordshire1976
Giorgio GasliniGiorgio Gaslini Meets ….Pausa Records27/10/76?1976
Graham Collier MusicSymphony Of ScorpionsMosaic07/11/76Ronnie Scott’s Club, London1977
Stan Tracey OctetThe Bracknell ConnectionSteam29/11/76100 Club, London1976
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of BreathProcessionOgun10/05/77Halle aux Grains, Toulouse, France1978
Harry Beckett's Joy UnlimitedGot It MadeOgun13/07/77London1977
Elton Dean's Ninesense Happy DazeOgun26/07/77Redan Recorders, London W21977
Stan Tracey OctetThe Early WorksReSteamed17/09/77St Edmund’s Art Centre, Salisbury, UK2008
The Jive BureauxStick ItGull01/01/78Morgan Studios, London1978
Alan PriceEngland My EnglandJet01/01/78?1978
Stan Tracey OctetSalisbury SuiteSteam25/02/78The Royal Festival Hall, London1978
Graham Collier MusicThe Day Of The DeadMosaic01/03/78Nettlebed, Oxfordshire1978
Elton Dean's NinesenseLive At The BBCHux17/03/78BBC Studios, London2003
Kathy StobartArbeiaSpotlite28/03/78Konk Studios, London N81978
Elton Dean's NinesenseThe 100 Club Concert 1979Reel Recordings05/03/79The 100 Club, 100 Oxford St, London2012
Barry Guy / London Jazz Composers OrchestraStringerFMP01/03/80BBC Maida Vale Studio, London1983
Dudu PukwanaSounds ZilaJika16/01/81100 Club, London1981
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of BreathYes Please - Angoulème 1981In And Out01/06/81Théatre Municipal, Angoulème1981
Elton Dean's Ninesense / Harry Beckett, Harry Miller, Louis MoholoNinesense SuiteJazzwerkstatt20/06/81Jazzwerkstatt Peitz N°41, Germany2011
Beckett / Miller / MoholoJazzwerkstatt Peitz No. 45Jazzwerkstatt24/04/82Jazzwerkstatt Peitz N°45, Germany2011
Robert WyattNothing Can Stop UsRough Trade01/06/82?1982
WeekendLa VarietéRough Trade01/07/82Power Plant Studio, Willesden, London NW11982
Trevor BastowSax TraxJW Music Library01/01/83?1983
Weekend With Keith TippettLive At Ronnie Scott'sRough Trade20/03/83Ronnie Scott’s Club, London1983
Dudu Pukwana And ZilaLife In Bracknell & WillisauJika03/07/83Bracknell & Willisau Jazz Festivals1983
Stan TraceyStan Tracey NowSteam09/07/83Lansdowne Studios, Holland Park, London1983
Albert Van DamThe Sentimental TouchRCA01/01/84?1984
Harry BeckettPictures of YouVirgin01/01/85Wave Studios, London W11985
Jah Wobble & Ollie MarlandNeon MoonIsland01/01/85Guerilla Studio UK, Rail Studio Germany and The Fallout Shelter UK1985
Working WeekWorking NightsVirgin01/01/85?1985
Elton Dean QuintetThe Bologna TapesOgun18/04/85Osteria Delle Dame, Bologna, Italy1985
Johnny Dyani QuartetAngolian CrySteeplechase23/07/85Sound Track Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark1985
Pierre Dørge & New Jungle OrchestraEven The Moon Is DancingSteeplechase30/07/85Easy Sound Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark1985
LysisSuperimpositions - IMProvised comPOSITIONSSoma01/01/86?1986
David DefriesThe Secret CityMMC01/01/86?1986
Jah Wobble & Ollie MarlandTradewindsLago01/01/86Guerilla Studios, London W9 & Paradiso, Amsterdam1986
David SylvianGone To EarthVirgin01/01/86London1986
Dudu PukwanaZila 86Jika01/01/86?1986
Chris McGregor And The South African ExilesThunderboltPAM01/01/86Open Ohr Festival, Mainz,Germany1986
The Charlie Watts OrchestraLive At Fulham Town HallCBS23/03/86Fulham Town Hall, London SW61986
Detail Plus – NessNessImpetus01/07/86Mannod Studio/Community Music, London1986
Elton Dean QuintetWelcomet Live In Brazil 1986Impetus01/01/87Radio Cultura de Sao Paulo, Brazil1987
Pulse!Stormy WeatherSpotlite01/01/87?1987
Harry Beckett / Johnny Dyani / Chris McGregor / Marilyn MazurGrandmothers TeachingITM01/01/87Woodhouse Studio, Dortmund and Hermes Studio, Kamen, Germany1988
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of BreathCountry CookingVirgin01/01/87Angel Studios, Islington, London N11988
Tom MegaBackyards Of PleasureITM01/01/87Woodhouse Studio, Dortmund, Germany1988
Harry BeckettMaxine (Compilation 1987-1995)ITM01/01/87Various2011
Jazz WarriorsOut Of Many, One PeopleAntilles13/03/87Shaw Theatre, Kings Cross, London NW11987
Pierre Dørge & New Jungle OrchestraJohnny LivesSteeplechase15/04/87Copenhagen, Denmark1987
Harry BeckettLes Jardins du CasinoITM01/05/87London (1991) & Germany (1987)1993
Harry Beckett – Courtney PineLive, Vol. 2West Wind20/05/87Manufaktur Schorndorf, Germany1987
Harry BeckettBremen ConcertWest Wind23/05/87Radio Bremen, Weserterrasse, Dacapo1988
John Stevens’ Fast ColourSuite For Johnny DyaniLoose Torque01/01/88WIM Concert, Antwerp, Belgium2004
U3 KlangJazz Goes UndergroundWest Wind28/08/88Kongreßhalle Berlin, Germany1988
VariousBandes Originales Du Journal De SpirouNato01/01/89The Chocolate Factory, London1989
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath - Archie SheppEn Concert A Banlieues Bleues52e Rue Est18/03/89Espace John Lennon at La Courneuve, France1989
Anglo Italian QuartetPut It Right Mr. SmoothieSpalsc(h)10/02/90Barigozzi Studio, Milan, Italy1991
Harry Beckett & Pierre DørgeEchoes Of...Olufsen Records01/05/90Sun Studio, Copenhagen, Denmark1990
Pierre Dørge & New Jungle OrchestraLive In ChicagoOlufsen Records06/07/90Southend Musicworks, Chicago, USA1991
Vic ReevesI Will Cure YouIsland01/01/91?1991
Pierre Dørge's New Jungle Orchestra Featuring David MurrayThe Jazzpar PrizeEnja16/03/91Germany1992
Harry BeckettAll Four OneSpotlite25/03/91Porcupine Studios, Mottingham, London1991
Harry BeckettPassion and PossessionITM23/04/91Porcupine Studios, London SE9 & CMP Studio, Zerkall, Germany (9 April)1991
Beckett – Levallet – MarshImages of ClarityEvidence01/01/92?1992
The Dedication Orchestra – Spirits RejoiceSpirits RejoiceOgun02/01/92Gateway Studio, Kingston Hill, Surrey1992
Harry BeckettMoon of RosesITM26/09/93Kornet-Studio, Cologne, Germany1995
RudeThis Is ….Jazzprint01/01/94?1994
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The HeartTake Me To GodIsland01/01/94Greenhouse Studios, London1994
The Dedication OrchestraIxesha (Time)Ogun03/01/94Gateway Studio, Kingston Hill, Surrey1994
Anglo Italian QuartetTwice Upon A TimeSpalsc(h)01/01/95?1995
Harry BeckettCompared 2 What?Basic01/01/95Porcupine Studios, London1996
Gail ThompsonJazz AfricaEnja01/01/96?1996
Orchestre National De Jazz / Didier Levallet Avec La Participation De Daunik LazroONJ ExpressEvidence27/03/98Studios Ferber, Paris1998
Harry BeckettTribute to Charles MingusWestway16/01/99The Premises Studio, Hackney, London E22000
Harry BeckettBefore and AfterSpotlite01/02/99The Band on the Wall, Manchester, UK2001
VariousSoupsongs LiveJazzprint10/10/99The Palace Theatre, Newark, UK2002
London Improvisers OrchestraThe Hearing Continues… Emanem04/09/00Gateway Studio, Kingston Hill, Surrey2001
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of BreathThe Memorial ConcertITM01/01/01?2001
London Improvisers OrchestraFreedom Of The City 2002Emanem05/05/02Freedom of the City festival, Conway Hall, London 2003
Carol GrimesMotherIrregular01/01/03?2003
London Improvisers OrchestraLondon Responses, Reproduction & Reality: Freedom Of The City 2003-4Emanem04/05/03Freedom of the City festival, Conway Hall, London2005
London Improvisers OrchestraImprovisations For George Ristepsi06/07/03Red Rose, Holloway, London N72008
Jürgen Wuchner Group Feat. Harry BeckettJürgen Wuchner Group Feat. Harry BeckettWest Wind15/12/03Darmstadt, Germany 2004
Jah WobbleElevator Music Volume 1A30 Hz01/01/04Intimate Studios, London2004
Jah WobbleMuTrojan01/01/05Mark Angelo Studios2005
Graham CollierDirecting 14 Jackson PollocksJazz Continuum01/11/04?2009
George Haslam, Richard Leigh Harris, Stefano Pastor, Harry Beckett, Steve KershawHolywell Session: Live In OxfordSlam Productions17/09/06Holywell Music Room, Oxford, UK2007
London Improvisers Orchestra / Glasgow Improvisers OrchestraSeparately & TogetherEmanem06/05/07Freedom of the City Festival, Red Rose, London2008
Harry BeckettThe Modern Sound of Harry BeckettOn-U Sound01/01/08On-U Sound Studios, London2008
DuduvuduThe Gospel According to Dudu PukwanaEdgetone01/01/10The Premises Studio, Hackney, London E22014

References

  1. According to his wife, Beckett was 86 (sic) when he died, see the obituary by Steve Voce, The Independent, 24 August 2010, where his date of birth is given as 30 May 1923.
  2. Steve Voce, "Harry Beckett: Highly respected trumpeter who worked with Mingus, Scott, Dankworth and Tracey", The Independent, 24 August 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 Fordham, John (26 July 2010). "Jazz trumpeter and composer, his genial, unmistakable sound became legendary". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  4. Fordham, John (9 June 2011). "Elton Dean's Ninesense: Ninesense Suite/Natal – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  5. "Jazz breaking news: Trumpeter Harry Beckett Dies". Jazzwise magazine. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
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