July 15, 1928 – January 2, 1973
Harriott contracted tuberculosis in 1958 and spent six months recuperating in hospital. It was there that he began to develop his new approach to music that he called ‘free form’. Music free from harmonic and rhythmic patterns or as he referred to it, the ability to ‘paint sound.’
Despite critical acclaim, Joe Harriott’s music went largely ignored in his life and he was never able to live comfortably. Neither could he afford to keep regular working bands together. It is a sad but familiar fixture in the history of jazz. The story of unrecognized genius, brave innovators ahead of their time who fell by the wayside, the lonely outsider left only with empty pockets and restless energy to burn.
Joe Harriott spent his remaining years freelancing around the UK with pic up bands, sleeping on local’s couches and floors. His closing years were a sad reflection of those of Charlie Parker, dying a lonely and tragic death of cancer in 1973. He was 44 years old.
Hits include:
- “Cool Jazz with Joe”
- “No Strings”
- “Blue Harriott”