Harry Owen Parry (22 January 1912 – 18 October 1956) was a Welsh jazz clarinetist and bandleader.
Parry was born in Caepella, Bangor, Caernarfonshire, Wales. The eldest son of Henry Parry, railway worker, and Emily Jane (née Rowlands). He was educated at Glanadda school and the Central School. He joined the department of physics, University College of North Wales, as an apprentice instrument maker. He showed an early interest in playing musical instruments and when twelve years old joined one of the district's brass bands. He was a member of St. Mary's Church choir, but was intent on playing instruments.
He soon became adept at playing the tenor horn, flügel horn, cornet, violin as well as drums. He mastered the saxophone and was said to be Wales ' champion player. He was an expert clarinettist - his favourite instrument - and was taught initially by Francis Jones (1904 - 1986) of Port Dinorwic. He yearned to develop a more swinging musical style and experimented in that direction. At 16 Harry was playing with the Harold Dobbs Marina Band, often twice a week, at venues like Palfreymans Hall (Ambassadors Hall) Jimmy’s” youth club at St James Church now pulled down, Powis Hall at Bangor University and other venues in Caernarfon, Anglesey and North Wales.
In 1932 Harry gave up his job as a scientific instrument maker to turn professional with Eddie Shaw’s Band for the summer season at Paynes Cafe later moving to the London He played with several dance bands during 1933 to 1939, where he played alto saxophone and scat-sang in bands led by George Colborn, Miff Ferrie, Percival Mackey, Oscar Grasso, Neville Bishop, Paul Lombard and Charles Shadwell. He then led his own six-piece unit. His style was heard by some of the B.B.C.'s leading figures as he had by then joined some of England's main bands. Charles Chilton suggested that he should form his own instrumental group and that he should use the vibraphone instead of the trumpet.
On 28 September 1940 the sounds of the 'Radio Rhythm' Club sextet which he formed were heard for the first time. Miff Ferrie heard of him and it was from that association that the group ' Jackdauz ' was formed. He held concerts in the Locarno, London, and shared platforms with musicians like Michael Flome, Louis Levy and Charles Shadwell. He joined the blind pianist, George Shearing, and the drummer, Ben Edwards, to form a trio which became very popular. It was his sextet which was the first to make a record in the ' Super Rhythm ' series for the Parlophone company; his association with this company lasted for ten years recording over 100 titles, which included George Shearing and Doreen Villiers as members.
Many of his plans were shattered by World War II, but he resumed them later and formed a permanent orchestra in the Potomac, London. His compositions ' Parry Opus ', ' Thrust and Parry ', ' Potomac Jump ', ' Blue for Eight ', ' Says You ' and the most popular, perhaps, ' Champagne ' became household names amongst his followers. He appeared in five short films and was described by some critics as ' Britain's jazz king '. According to one of his contemporaries, he was the first from Wales and England to record a voice in instrumental style with the co-operation of his own band.
The crowds flocked to listen to him in centres such as the Hippodrome, Birmingham; the Empire, Woolwich; and the Empire, Glasgow. He played for the King & Queen at Windsor castle on the 18th June 1948. His popularity waned during his tour of the Middle East and Egypt. After his return he presented the popular programme ' Housewives Choice '; he was also involved in the children's programme ' Crackerjack '. According to some columnists at the time, he died when he was on the brink of regaining his popularity, as he was the first to present 'swing' music to the layman. He was described by an Evening Standard columnist at the time as ' the third best clarinettist in the world '.
His heroes were Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Benny Carter, Count Basie and Glenn Miller. Towards the end of his life he attempted to adopt a style similar to Miller. He counted Henry Hall, Roy Fox and Geraldo amongst his friends. His first wife was Gwen Davies. After a divorce he married Jessie Bradbury in 1945, a professional singer, but that marriage failed in 1956. They were childless. He thought highly of his home town, but seldom had the opportunity to return there.
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| Harry and singer Tessa Sims |
His last record to be issued was recorded in 1949, and was his sextet augmented to an octet. The arrangements were by Steve Race, then a trail blazing modernist, with the respected pianist Dill Jones, and trombonist Harry Roche. His last recording session was in 1950 but nothing was issued from the session. He appeared on TV with his group, including childrens shows, and acted in several radio plays but his heyday was over. Harry Parry died from a heart attack on 11 October 1956 at the young age of 44, in his room in Adam's Row, Mayfair, London. His ashes were buried in Golders Green crematorium, London.
(Edited from Dictionary of Welsh Biography, Wikipedia, The Bangor Aye & Henrybebop)