Harry Beckett

by Ron WynnAs fierce and fiery as any trumpet and flugelhorn stylist, yet also capable of a shimmering lyricism, Barbados' Harry Beckett has been part of Britian's jazz scene since the '50s. He moved to England in 1954, then joined Graham Collier's band in the early '60s, remaining with it until 1977. Beckett was featured in the film "All Night Long" with Charles Mingus in 1961. He also worked with Mike Westbrook's orchestra and Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath. Beckett played with the big bands of Neil Ardley, Mike Gibbs, and John Warren, and was part of the London Jazz Composer's Orchestra. He also was a member of small combos led by Tony Oxley, John Surman, and Ray Russell. Beckett played with the Stan Tracey Octet in the mid-'70s, and also worked with Elton Dean and Zila, a group led by Dudu Pukwana. He's recorded as a leader for Ogun, Paladin, RCA and Phillips. Beckett currently has no sessions available on CD in America.