'Indo Jazz Fusions', October 1968

[markdixon]

The Jamaican alto saxophonist Joe Harriott was one of the most important figures in British jazz during the 1960s. Some of his most popular recordings featured collaborations with the Indian composer and violinist John Mayer. Harriott and Mayer appeared together in an episode of BBC2’s ‘Jazz 625’ in 1966 and they had their own six-part HTV series called ‘Fusions’ in 1969. All these TV performances are missing.

I think I’ve found a listing for a TV appearance by the Joe Harriott/John Mayer Double Quintet that isn’t mentioned on the ‘Lost Shows’ website or in Alan Robertson’s book ‘Joe Harriott: Fire In His Soul’. The TV page of ‘The Guardian’ for 21 Oct 1968 shows that Granada broadcast a 15-minute programme called ‘Indo Jazz Fusions’ at 11.45 that night.

I haven’t been able to find much reliable information about this programme. I checked The Times Digital Archive and ‘Indo Jazz Fusions’ is listed in the 11.45-midnight slot for 14 Oct and 21 Oct 1968. Was this a two-part series or did someone at ‘The Times’ make a mistake?

I also looked in Granada region editions of ‘TV Times’ and there was no trace of ‘Indo Jazz Fusions’. The scheduled programme for 11.45 p.m. on 14 Oct 1968 was ‘Measured for Transport’ (a British Transport Films production from 1962). Coverage of the Olympics was scheduled to start at 11.45 p.m. on 21 Oct 1968.

I’d welcome any further information about the ‘Indo Jazz Fusions’ programme. Did any music papers published in late 1968 mention that Harriott and Mayer were about to appear on a Granada programme?  

[williammcgregor]

nothing in the NME as far as I can see

[markdixon]

Thanks for looking, William.

Another question about this programme is does it still exist? Granada did a good job of preserving their music specials from the 1960s (many of which featured jazz) so there is a chance that they kept ‘Indo Jazz Fusions’ too. However the programme isn’t listed on ITN Source. Maybe it exists, but it hasn’t been catalogued for some reason.

[markdixon]

I think it's likely that Granada only ever broadcast one edition of 'Indo Jazz Fusions'. I checked the relevant TV listings in 'The Manchester Evening News' and they show the same information as 'The Guardian': the programme was broadcast on 21 October 1968 only.

I still haven't been able to find a programme description so I don't know anything about this show other than its title and broadcast date. Was it a concert recording, a studio session or a documentary?

While I was searching for any mention of the 'Indo Jazz Fusions' programme online I found details of all the known appearances of Joe Harriott on British television. I've listed all this information below. Several websites state that there is only one surviving piece of footage of Harriott in performance, but I've found out that some of his other TV appearances still exist too.

Joe Harriott on British television

'The Music Shop' (ATV) 25 Feb 1956. The Joe Harriott Quartet were guests on this edition of the afternoon music show presented by Gerry Wilmot. Status: Missing

'Jazz Session' (BBC TV) 15 Jul 1958. The Joe Harriott Quintet appeared in the same episode as Terry Lightfoot and His Jazz Men. Status: Missing

'Strictly for the Birds (Southern Television) 17 Aug 1961. The Joe Harriott Quintet were guests on this edition of the jazz series which was broadcast by Southern and Granada. The Dudley Moore Trio were the resident band. Status: Missing

'All That Jazz' (ATV) 25 May 1962. The Joe Harriott Quintet appeared in the same edition as Humphrey Lyttlelton and his Band, Sheila Buxton and The Maori High 5. Status: Exists

'Dark Pilgrimage' (BBC TV) 5 Jul 1962. This was an opera composed by Phyllis Tate which contained scenes featuring the Joe Harriott Quintet as the resident band in a nightclub. Status: Exists

'Jazz 625' (BBC2) 13 Oct 1966. The Joe Harriott/John Mayer Double Quintet played fusions of jazz and Indian music. Status: Missing

'Fusions' (HTV) 17 Apr-3 Jul 1969. John Mayer's Indo-Jazz Fusions (featuring Joe Harriott) appeared in all 6 episodes. Guests in this series included Elaine Delmar, Mark Murphy and Pink Floyd. Status: The entire series is missing.

'Love You Madly' (BBC2) 29 Apr 1969. Stan Tracey's Big Band (featuring Joe Harriott) performed 'In a Sentimental Mood' in this programme that celebrated Duke Ellington's 70th birthday. Status: Exists

[Matthew North]

Old post but you might like to know Half and hour of the Studio recording of Jazz 625 does exist in pristine quality audio only.

Best wishes

Matt

[markdixon]

I haven’t been able to discover any further information about Granada’s ‘Indo Jazz Fusions’ but I did find out a bit more about HTV’s ‘Fusions’.

HTV published a booklet called ‘Accepting the Challenge’ in 1969 to celebrate their first year of broadcasting. The front cover showed a production still from ‘Fusions’ and there was a brief description of the series inside:

“Fusions”, a series of six programmes, explored and exploited the excitement of a new musical form - Indo Jazz. It was music that fused the melodies and rhythms of East and West. It provided opportunity for dancing that was exotic and spectacular. Critics hailed it, with justification, as “a musical revolution”. Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Elaine Delmar, Jon Hendricks, the Pink Floyd, The Nice and the Family were among the artists and the pop groups who took part.

Fusions. “Harlech are being very bold.” (Western Mail). “The opportunities to heap unqualified praise on a programme are rare, but I have no hesitation. This is a daring musical experiment.” (Western Daily Press).

This text was accompanied by a couple of photos of dancers from the show. They wore unusual and exotic make-up. I get the impression that interpretative dance was a major part of the series.

It’s clear from the booklet that HTV were proud of ‘Fusions’. It seems strange that nothing from the series has survived.

Transdiffusion have put the entire ‘Accepting the Challenge’ booklet online (search for harlech.televault.rocks).