HARRISON, Jill Lois is the twin sister of Jack Harrison.
Born 12 August 1931
Jill Harrison was Jack Harrison‘s twin born in Nedlands to William Edward Harrison and Edna May Kerr.
She was educated at Nedlands Primary School and learnt piano from the age of 6 from her father.
In 1944 aged 12, she began bassoon lessons with Billy Moore and a bassoon book of tutorials and attended P.L.C.
“The Harrisons” performed as a trio for the MLC Old Girls’ Association Ball held at the Myola Club Hall in Claremont in July 1946:
MLC Old Girls’ Association is doing a great deal to revive its activities, which were curtailed during the war years, and the highlight of its social events held recently was the Old Girls’ Ball held at the Myola Club Hall, Claremont, when the president, Mrs. Margaret Way, received guests wearing a frock of black marquesette showing a satin tartan stripe. She was assisted by members of the committee, and secretary June Bear. Miss G. Walton, former mistress of the college, and the present headmistress, Miss J. Bowden, patrons of the association, were amongst those who enjoyed a delightful evening. A festive note was added with gay caps and hats, the handiwork of artistic members. Music was supplied by “The Harrisons” and incidentally, young Jack Harrison, who plays the harmonica, was successful “Amateur Hour” winner in a recent contest.
Sunday Times Sunday 21 July 1946 page 7
In 1947 Jill left P.L.C at the insistence of her father and being held by a promise that she would devote her life to music practice.
Jack Harrison formed his own dance band with his twin sister Jill and brother Ray and they performed jazz with “dash old-time” at “The Blue Room” and regularly at North Perth Town Hall.
Pen Points on Perth
By Harry Black
A young man who is quickly coming into prominence in the local dance-band world is up-and-coming-altoist Jack Harrison. I had seen this name featured in many current dance-hall adverts., so snooped around to find who this “stranger” was fronting his own small outfit in quite a few nice little jobs, and was agreeably surprised to find former harmonica-wizard Jackie Harrison (now 15 years of age) tootling away on sax and clarrie with as much ease and confidence as many a veteran.
“SOMETHING OF A SENSATION”
He seemed to be reading almost anything around the place as well as finding his way around many of the old “fakies” with plenty of improvising. This may sound a tall yarn for one so young, but readers should remember that Jack Harrison was featured here in W.A. as somewhat of a sensation with his brilliant harmonica work and, after capturing all the local radio spots that he could, he went east to Sydney (when only 9 years of age) and there, after topping the poll in an Australian Amateur hour programme, fulfilled many radio dates with prominent Sydney radioites – Jack Davey’s Shows, the Youth Show and others. Thence to Melbourne to do a round of their Tivoli circuit and came happily back to Groper-land (NOT the least bit swell headed!!). Since his return Jack has been studying music very seriously, besides keeping many radio engagements, throughout each year – and now the fruits of his studies seem to be bearing well – judging by his easy switch to reed instruments in his own band.
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
Music is an integral part of the Harrison family, as veteran pianist Bill Harrison is Jack’s proud poppa, a sister plays piano in Jack’s outfit while a brother wields the drumsticks. Jack is being ably coached in his sax work by Ken Murdoch, while h is also studying “legit” clarinet with A.B.C. woodwindist Alan Rule. Apart from these few activities, plus his harmonica appearances, plus his home rehearsals, plus his rehearsals with the A.B.C. Amateur symphony Group, plus his private practice – Jack still finds time to be a modest 15 year old Aussie. All his many friends in local musical circles predict quite a musical future for young Jack – so we wish him the best of luck!!
Music Maker July 21 1947
Harrison family Again
Sixteen-year-old Musician to give further broadcast
Western Australia was represented last week in “National Fair” from 6IX-WB-MD by twins, Jack and Jill Harrison and elder brother Ray. The Harrison family was put up as the best musical family in Australia. Jack Harrison, the 16 year old lad who played both the saxophone and clarinet, was such a success that the producers asked him to put up another challenge, so he is again appearing in the programme next Wednesday as the best clarinettist in Australia. Jack will again be accompanied by his twin Jill on the piano, and his brother Ray on the drums. This time Jack will be playing the clarinet only. His item will be “Special Delivery Stomp” one of Artie Shaw’s favourites. So far this is the first time two challenges have been put up by the same person. The West Australian selectors hope that this challenge is unbeatable, but listeners can decide that for themselves when they hear what the other States can produce to take up this challenge. The other five states also will be presenting their “exhibits” on Wednesday night at 8 o’clock, some again challenging and others answering challenges previously set. If anyone who knows of anything or anybody who could possibly be used as an “exhibit” in “National Fair”, he or she is asked to communicate with W.A. Broadcasters Ltd., Lyric House, Perth.
The Broadcaster Saturday January 17 1948 Vol. 14, No. 720
On the Dial
The success of the Harrison Family (Jack, Jill and Ray) in the 6IX-WB-MD session “National Fair”, was demonstrated by the fact that they were engaged by the sponsors for a repeat performance the following week. When they were heard in the session for the first time Jack, who is 16 years of age, was nominated as the best clarinettist in Australia. So far no one has disputed the claim. There are no cash prizes for “National Fair”, but the session enables West Australian talent to be heard in the Eastern states. The programme is broadcast each Wednesday night at 8 o’clock.
The Broadcaster Saturday February 14 1948
On the Dial
Jack Harrison will enter the “National Fair” arena once again on Wednesday night. The 16 year old Perth musicians will take up a challenge from Victoria to find a better harmonica player than Brucy Skurry. Jack’s harmonica solo in this 6IX-WB-MD session will be “Smoke Gets in your eyes”. He appeared in two early “National Fair” programmes with his brother Ray and twin sister Jill. They were nominated in the first instance as the best juvenile music-makers. Jack was nominated as the best clarinettist in Australia. To date, no other State has accepted either of the challenges from this versatile family.
The Broadcaster Saturday March 13 1948
From 1948 through to the end of 1950, Jill was employed for dances and radio broadcast, weddings and parties with the fully professional Jack Harrison Trio competed in the “National Fair”, a radio competition which enabled West Australian talent to be heard in the Eastern States, which they won in 1948.
On 17th January 1950, William Snr (aged 52), Jack and Jill (aged 18) sailed to Adelaide where Jill had won a two year scholarship to study bassoon and piano at the Adelaide Conservatorium.
In 1952 Jill returned to Perth and became a member of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and continued to play jazz gigs with her twin brother. She met Melbourne double bass player John Mowson who had been playing in the Australian Jazz Quartet in Sydney and had decided to embark on a classical music career, moving to Perth to be a member of the WASO.
Jack, Jill and John were all tutors at the first Music Camp ever to be held in Western Australia from November 14 – 17 1952 at Point Peron.
Jack and Jill celebrated their 21st birthday in August 1952.
Jill and John Alan William Mowson got engaged late in 1952 and were married 2nd April 1953.
Shortly afterwards, they were offered positions in the Victorian Symphony Orchestra, now the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, performing with many great conductors including Sir Charles McKerras, Richard Bonynge, Sir Eugene Goosens and Otto Klemperer. For the Opening Ceremony of the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, M.S.O. combined with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra playing in the presence of Prince Phillip.
Jill and John returned to Perth and rejoined WASO in 1960.
In 1965 Jill and John were invited to go to London with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the Commonwealth Festival of Arts. During our stay, the Orchestra was invited to lunch with Prince Phillip. (Jill was tapped on the shoulder and told not to smoke until the Prince arrived.) In 1967 they played with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Montreal for Expo, whilst Jill’s parents minded their 3 children -Penny 7, Peter 5 and Paul aged 1.
In 1969 they returned to Melbourne where John was appointed Principal Double Bass player for the MSO. Jill worked on a casual basis while Paul started school. The Government decided to expand the State Orchestra and new jobs became available in 1973. For 18 years Jill was Principal Bassoon of the Victorian State Orchestra (Elizabethan Trust Orchestra) which played for the Australian Opera, the Australian Ballet and the Victorian Opera Company.
During these years Jill toured to Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, played for Placido Domingo and worked with Simone Young in her early performances as a conductor when she looked to be no more than 18. Jill performed at a charity performance of Swan Lake attended by Princess Anne, who she met backstage later. She was also fortunate to be part of many performances with Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge.
Jill retired as a music professional in 1991 and returned across the Nullarbor to settle back into Perth after an absence of 23 years.