Alan Robertson's book about Joe Harriott, the legendary alto saxophone player, is based on the author's extensive interviews with many of those who knew Joe best. It gives for the first time a full account of the triumphs and tragedies of this jazz musician's remarkable life.

"Parker? There's them over here can play a few aces too." Measuring himself alongside his mentor Charlie Parker, Jamaican alto saxophonist Joe Harriott had no doubts about his talent and abilities - and with good reason. A brilliant instrumentalist and a visionary in the development of jazz, Harriott gained legions of admirers for his fiery playing in Britain and beyond before embarking on a quest to extend the limits of the music. His unique conception of free form, evolved independently of American developments, heralded the emergence of contemporary European jazz. Later, with John Mayer, he pioneered cross-cultural fusions of jazz and Indian music. Neglected in his lifetime by an unappreciative arts establishment, Harriott produced a body of recorded work that is increasingly influential and widely acclaimed.

With a preface by Gary Crosby.

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>>READ our REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

read Simon Spillett's essays on the major British saxophonist stylists after 1950 (including Joe Harriott), and Yellow Birds: West Indian jazz musicians in London

read about Michael Garrick's Year of the Harriott