Harry Parry

b. 1912, Bangor, Wales, d. 12 October 1956, London, England. As a young child Parry played various instruments, including cornet, drums and violin, before deciding on the clarinet and alto saxophone while still in his mid-teens. At the age of 20 he went to London to work in dance bands but soon formed his own group, a sextet that became enormously popular owing to frequent broadcasts on the BBC’s Radio Rhythm Club series. Among noted British musicians, Parry’s sextet included at various times vibraphonist Roy Marsh, pianists George Shearing and Tommy Pollard and trumpeters Dave Wilkins and Stan Roderick. Throughout the 40s, Parry continued working on radio, and eventually also on television, sometimes as a player and also as an emcee. A highly skilled musician, and clearly a follower of the Benny Goodman clarinet style, Parry’s playing and that of his groups was noted for its polish. Parry’s group made numerous 78s for Parlophone Records but these do not appear to have been reissued on either vinyl or CD.
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