Person

WESTLAKE, Donald

DONALD WESTLAKE: 1931 – 2021

Despite his father’s fierce disapproval, Donald Westlake was undeterred in his desire to pursue a career in music from an early age. His mother – a gifted pianist – actively encouraged the young Donald by regularly taking him to concerts by the Perth Symphony Orchestra.

Donald Westlake, principal clarinettist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

At age 13, he began clarinet lessons in Perth with Percy Newton and dabbled with dance-band music and jazz until moving east to attend the Melbourne Conservatorium studying under Isobel Carter.

His rise to professional status was meteoric: by the age of 22, in 1953, he had won 1st prize in the ABC’s Concerto Competition; was awarded a commonwealth tour as a featured soloist with the ABC; was appointed principal clarinet with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra; and was then subsequently invited by Sir Eugene Goossens to take up the principal clarinet position with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO).

In August of the same year, he married SSO violinist Heather Sumner and they travelled to London where Donald accepted a scholarship at the Royal College of Music in London, studying under Bernard Walton and graduating in 1956. After returning to Australia, he was re-appointed principal clarinet with the SSO, a position he held from 1960 until 1978.

Clarinettist Donald Westlake on the Sydney Symphony Orchestra European Tour in 1974.

As a soloist, he commanded a formidable stage presence and his interpretations of the great concertos by Mozart, Weber, Copland, and Nielsen left music critics grasping for superlatives and frequently garnered standing ovations.

He shared the stage of the Sydney Opera House and Town Hall with numerous musical luminaries of the era, including Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Sir Charles Mackerras, Willem van Otterloo and performed the Mozart clarinet concerto under the baton of the legendary Daniel Barenboim on the occasion of the maestro’s very first conducting engagement in 1962.

He was the featured soloist on the SSO’s 1974 European tour, performing the Mozart clarinet concerto in Montreux, Basel, Stuttgart, Braunschweig and Lisbon. His performance in Stuttgart earned no less than seven curtain calls.

From our partners

“He can make the clarinet recite poetry with rare eloquence, but then he can launch a sequence of breath-taking pyrotechnics that few other clarinet players can match in speed, clarity, accuracy and range of timbre,” wrote music critic Fred Blanks of Donald’s 1980 performance of Webers second concerto. “No wonder he unleashed an ovation.”

Donald Westlake, clarinettist, guest artist with the Sydney String Quartet when they perform in the forthcoming Mostly Mozart season at the Sydney Opera House on December 23, 1983.Fairfax

As a teacher he was highly revered, with a reputation for delivering brutal honesty and nigh impossible expectations; despite his old school “make it or break it” teaching philosophy, many fine players flourished and went on to pursue professional careers.

When not rehearsing or touring with the SSO, he could be found sailing the Great Barrier Reef, bushwalking in the Blue Mountains, or performing chamber music with his colleagues.

He was a committed environmentalist and actively supported Friends of the Earth by organising a number of benefit concerts during the 1970s.

From 1979 to 1984, he took up the position of Head of Woodwind at the Canberra School of Music at ANU, where he focused on teaching and performing with the Canberra Wind Soloists.

In 1985, following a long battle with tenosynovitis, he was no longer able to play the clarinet and retired to a hobby farm in northern NSW where he wrote several music biographies, most notably From me to you: the life and times of Clive Amadio.

He separated from Heather and married his partner of over 40 years, Laura Danckwerts in 2018.

His recording of the Mozart Concerto with the SSO conducted by Robert Pikler for RCA in 1976 remains perhaps one of his most enduring legacies and still receives regular airplay on classical radio.

“Westlake’s technique is impeccable, his control of phrasing and contrasts of attack quite beyond all carping. I’ve come to love the school of clarinet playing to which Westlake belongs: even, steady in tone, coloured by occasional washes of moonlit lustre,” stated music critic Roger Covell upon the album’s release.

Donald, who died in August, was father to Nigel, Kathryn (deceased), Kristin, a grandfather of six and great-grandfather of four.

Nigel Westlake is a composer, musician and conductor.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/sso-clarinettist-commanded-formidable-stage-presence-20210907-p58phv.html

https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/artist/westlake-donald

Instruments

Clarinet

Years

1931

Person

HARRISON, Jill Lois

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

Jill with John Mowson (bass), Jack (vibes) and Ray (drums)

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 17^th 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 2^nd 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.

Instruments

Years

1931

Person

HARRISON, Jack Louis

12 August 1931 – 1 April 2013

12 August 1931 – 1 April 2013

Jack Louis Harrison and his twin Jill Lois were born in Nedlands to William Edward Harrison and Edna May Kerr.

Jack’s musical career began aged 6 with the harmonica which he received as a present from his older brother Bill. By the time his father came home from work Jack could play the chorus of “When I Grow too Old to Dream”.

The first competition Jack won was when he was aged 7 in January 1939 at a Scottish Community Concert at the Perth Town Hall. On Sunday May 7th 1939 Jack was guest artist in a “Radiola Rhythm” broadcast by Radio 6PR relayed to 6AM and 6WB and was by this time a representative for Hohner Harmonicas.

In October 1940, Jack won first prize (£75) in “Search for Talent” performing “Plenty of Money and You” on the harmonica accompanied by his father on piano, competing against largely adults and professional players. As a result of this win Jack travelled with his father to Sydney, where Jack had lessons with famous harmonica soloist Horrie Dargie, and then travelled to Melbourne.

His father had set up professional engagements for him with Sydney radio 2LO, picture theatre bookings and secured a contract to appear with Dick Freeman’s Orchestra at the Trocadero. As a result, Jack won the Nationwide Australia Amateur Hour in early 1941.

Jack was offered a weekly recording session and broadcast which was recorded on a Sunday at the 6AM Studio in the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s Broadcast House.

During his primary years, Jack and his father performed at hundreds of fundraising and community events, especially supporting the R.S.L.

In 1944 aged 12, Jack started high school at Scotch College and began studying the clarinet with Percy Newton (he would ride his bike to his house with his clarinet strapped on the back) and later Alan Rule, then Principal Clarinet with the Perth Symphony Orchestra. In 1945 Jack started learning the saxophone from Ken Murdoch.

Jack was the youngest member of the newly formed Australian Broadcasting Commission Perth Amateur Youth Orchestra formed in 1945 by Mr E.J. Roberts.

Sunday nights became “jam session” night at the Harrison’s Nedlands home, with all four children, Bill Jnr on saxophone, Ray on drums, Jill on piano and Jack on clarinet. Ray Harrison’s drumming talent received state wide recognition when in November 1946 the “Ray Harrison Swing Band”, consisting of Ray on drums and Jack on clarinet and saxophone and Jill on piano came third in the 6PM-AM “Search for Talent” Competition held at Fremantle Town Hall.

1947 Jack Harrison Trio – red lapels black jackets

In 1947 Jack had been released from Scotch College being held by a promise to his father that he would devote his life to music practice. He 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. The band became fully professional and 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.

From 1948 through to the end of 1950, Jack and his ensembles were employed full time for dances, radio broadcasts, weddings and parties. The competed in Harry Blucks “Jazz Jamborees”.

At one of these dances he met his wife, Marcia Chayter.

1949: JACKIE HARRISON – The 10 year old boy who used to be heard frequently over the radio playing a harmonica, is now one of this State’s leading dance musicians, though still in his early teens. There is scarcely a dance patron in this city who does not know Jackie Harrison, the young clarinettist of Nedlands, who with his sister Jill at piano and brother Ray beating drums, came out easy winners in the 1948 Battle of the Bands conducted at the Capitol Theatre. Jack, whose versatility has gained him a lot of respect and admiration in the local dance band world, commenced learning the clarinet at a very tender age and later branched out leading the Harrison Trio. He was heard to good effect in the Jazz Jamboree and perhaps the most attractive of all his engagements to date, was this year’s Grad. Ball at Winthrop Hall where he led a 10-piece outfit. For some time past, he has been playing with the ABC Rhythmettes led by Harry Bluck. From the same station, Jack has been conducting a swing quartet at regular intervals. His more recent dance spots are Anzac House, King’s Park Tennis Club, Young Liberal League and also the Mt. Lawley Tennis Club.

‘QUAIL’ The Mirror Saturday 11 June 1949 page 13

CLASSICAL

In March 1949, Jack featured in a broadcast for the first time performing classical clarinet repertoire.

On 17^th January 1950, William Snr (aged 52), Jack and Jill (aged 18) sailed to Adelaide where Jill had won a scholarship to study bassoon and piano at the Adelaide Conservatorium. William and Jack then continued on to Melbourne and Sydney during which Jack performed with Frank Coughlan’s band in a series of swing concerts at the Trocadero and received an offer to stay with the band as a permanent member.

He also received lessons and observed broadcasts with Clive Amadio.

In August 1950, Jack was invited to join the South Australian Symphony Orchestra as second clarinet by conductor Henry Krips. He accepted the position starting in November. Prior to that in October 1950 he performed the Australian premiere performances of Concerto for Clarinet by Artie Shaw and Clarinet a la King by Benny Goodman. In late October toured for 10 days with the Adult Education Board and then immediately departed for Adelaide.

Jack Harrison leaving for Adelaide November 1950

This meant leaving Marcia behind and missing his brother Ray’s wedding to Norma Webber.

After only three months in the South Australian Symphony Orchestra, Jack returned to Perth on 8^th February 1951 to fill the second clarinet position with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra after the sudden death on January 18 1951 of second clarinettist Bob Trew. Jack was then the youngest member of the WA Symphony Orchestra.

Karl Berent, Alan Rule, John Cran and Jack playing the 2nd bassoon part on bass clarinet

1951 Jack in his Holden

Jack announced his engagement to Marcia on his 21^st birthday and they were married on 14^th December 1953.

On his honeymoon he met rival east coast clarinettist Don Burrows and they remained friends for life.

Jack and Marcia commissioned Iwan Iwanoff to design their family home at 11 Dodonia Gardens City Beach where they lived until 1993.

Jack Harrison Principal Clarinet WASO 1967

1972 playing the first music in the Perth Concert Hall.
WA Symphony Orchestra Clarinetist Jack Harrison tests the early acoustics of the Perth Concert Hall, during an inspection tour by members of the orchestra.

Jack Harrison’s classical clarinet career spanned 43 years in Australian Orchestras and he performed many times as soloist.

Some of his career highlights included:

DATE	WORK
6.10.1949	Artie Shaw Concerto for Clarinet AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) John Nugent Haywood (conductor), Jazz Symphony Orchestra	Capitol Theatre Perth, Western Australia
5.10.1950	Benny Goodman Clarinet a la King AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE?	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Harry Bluck and his Concert Orchestra and Dance band	Capitol Theatre Perth, Western Australia Bruce Carroll presents “Symphony in Swing”
1956	Debussy Premiere Clarinet Rhapsody Debussy Saxophone Rhapsody AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE being performed in same programme (maybe even in the world?)	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Jack Harrison (saxophone) John Farnsworth Hall (conductor) West Australian Symphony Orchestra	Capitol Theatre Perth, Western Australia
1956	Eric Coates Saxophone Rhapsody PERTH PREMIERE?	Jack Harrison (saxophone) John Farnsworth Hall (conductor) West Australian Symphony Orchestra	Free concert Orchestral shell Supreme Court Gardens Perth, Western Australia Broadcast on 6WN from 8.30pm to 10pm
21.2.1956	James Penberthy Wind Sextet (1954) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE? Dulcie Holland clarinet & piano pieces	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Owen Fisenden (flute), Neil Pierson (horn), Ron Richmond (oboe), George Dreyfus and Claude Welling (bassoons) Phyllis Allen (accompanist)	Art Gallery Program Art Gallery of Western Australia (inside the Jubilee Building on Beaufort Street,)
1958	Rogers and Hart “The Lady is a Tramp”	Jack Harrison piano, harmonica, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, vibraphone and drums	Multitracking A.B.C. and made a multitrack audio recording. Recording multiple isolated parts onto tape before mixing them down to a single master tape was a major technological leap for the music industry and explored and exploited new ways of over dubbing. Jack wrote the arrangement and then performed on eight different instruments going back and forward between two machines ten times.
19.6.1959	Richard Strauss Duett-Concertino for clarinet, bassoon, strings and harp AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Jill Harrison (bassoon)	West Australian Symphony Orchestra ABC Studio Broadcast
1960		Jack Harrison and Kit Denton (drums)	ABC live to air TV, demonstrating how to do a multi track recording.
11.5.1961			ABC TV 1st birthday show
May 1961	David Tunley Introduction and Scherzo WORLD PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) University Orchestral Society John Farnsworth Hall (conductor)	Winthrop Hall University of Western Australia Radio Broadcast 6WF
1962	Jack Harrison Jumping Joeys for solo harmonica WORLD PREMIERE	Verdon Williams (conductor) Shirley Fresfader (soprano) , Peter Piccini (accordion), Jack Harrison (clarinet and harmonica), Graham Wood (violin), Laslo Vidak (violin & viola) Brian Meddeman (cello & violin)	Southern Serenaders tour to the North of W.A.
Mar 1963	Gordon Jacob Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Strings (1948) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Vaughan Williams Romance for Harmonica and Orchestra (1951) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (saxophone) Jack Harrison (harmonica) John Farnsworth Hall (conductor) West Australian Symphony Orchestra	ABC Free Concert, Supreme Court Gardens Perth, Western Australia
15.3.1963	Aaron Copland Clarinet Concerto (1948) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Perth Sinfonietta Verdon Williams (conductor)	Free lunchtime concert Winthrop Hall University of Western Australia
27.7.1963	Howard Ferguson Octet Op. 4 for clarinet, bassoon, horn, string quartet and double-bass (1933) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Jill Mowson (bassoon) John Mowson (bass) Patrick Brislan (horn) Oriel String Quartet	ABC Broadcast Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
17.4.1964 18.9.1964	Arthur Bliss Clarinet Quintet (1932) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE (performed in front of Bliss)	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Oriel String Quartet Sir Arthur Bliss	Studio performance ABC Free lunchtime concert Winthrop Hall Undercroft University of Western Australia
May 1964	William Walton Façade PERTH PREMIERE Performed in front of Walton	Jack Harrison James Beattie (speaker) Verdon Williams (conductor)	Festival of Perth Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
1.12.1964	Miles Davis “So What” PERTH PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet and alto-saxophone), Billy Clowes (piano) David Ellis (bass) Bill Tattersall (drums)	ABC TV live to air broadcast Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
23.5.1965	Trevor Jones Cantata Zoologica (1963) Mixed choir (chorus) and wind quintet / quartet		An archival recording of the piece exists in Australian music collections: ABC Perth Studios (Western Australia)
16.9.1965	Leonard Bernstein Clarinet Sonata (1942) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE? PERTH PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Stephen Dornan (piano)	Free lunchtime concert Winthrop Hall Undercroft, University of Western Australia
8.2.1966	David Tunley Clarinet Concerto WORLD PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) ABC Festival Orchestra, Vaughan Hanly (conductor)	Festival of Perth: “Music of Britain” series Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
8.3.1966	Alan Rawsthorne Quintet for Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon (1963) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Alice Carrard (piano), Peter Randall (oboe), Brian Pope (bassoon) and Neil Pierson (French horn)	Festival of Perth: “Music of Britain” series Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
8.3.1966	Trevor Jones Cantata Zoologica (1963) Mixed choir (chorus) and wind quintet / quartet PERTH PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Peter Randall (oboe), Brian Pope (bassoon) Neil Pierson (French horn) Neville Teede (narrator) Laughton Harris (conductor) W.A.Bach Society Choir	Festival of Perth: “Music of Britain” series Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
8.5.1966	Graham Wood Quintet for Clarinet and Strings WORLD PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Oriel String Quartet	Skinner Galleries Kylie Music Club Western Australia
30.09.1966	Colin Brumby Partite for Clarinet and String Orchestra PERTH PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) West Australian Symphony Orchestra	Festival of Perth Basil Kirke Studio ABC (Letter from Colin Brumby thanking Jack)
29.1.1967	Colin Brumby Strophe for Clarinet, Violin and Piano (1964) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE *Peter Tahourdin* *Clarinet Sonata* PERTH PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Alice Carrard (piano) John Exton (violin)	Festival of Perth Free Studio Recital Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
10.6.1967	John Ritchie Concertino for Clarinet and String Orchestra (1957) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Perth Sinfonietta	Free Studio Recital Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
29.2.1968	Richard Strauss Arr. Hasenöhrl for five instruments *Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28* AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Graham Wood (Violin) Jack Harrison (Clarinet) Jill Harrison (Bassoon) Patrick Brislan (Horn) John Mowson (Double Bass)	Festival of Perth Free Studio Recital Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
2.3.1968	Vaughan Williams “Vocalisen” (1958) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Maurice Till (piano) Rita Streich (soprano)	Festival of Perth Winthrop Hall University of Western Australia
28.9.1968	Igor Stravinsky Soldier’s Tale Concert Suite (1920) PERTH PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Jill Mowson (bassoon) John Mowson (bass) Graham Wood (violin) Don Johnson (trumpet) Alan Mewett (trombone) Bryan Sadique (percussion)	Free Concert Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
6.10.1968	Ravel Introduction and Allegro (1905) PERTH PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet), Oriel String Quartet Owen Fisenden (flute) Alan Ratcliffe (harp)	Free Concert, Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
16.2.1971	Debussy Rhapsodie No. 1	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Arthur Fiedler (conductor)	Festival of Perth Winthrop Hall University of Western Australia
18.2.1971	Margaret Sutherland Clarinet Sonata (1949) PERTH PREMIERE FIRST COMMERCIAL RECORDING	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Stephen Dornan (piano)	FOP Australian Composers’ Workshop Basil Kirke Studio A.B.C. Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia RECORD: Australian Festival of Music Volume 8
30.1.1972	John Carmichael “A Country Fair” Orchestrated by Michael Hurst (in 1972) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE The piece was originally written for clarinet and piano in 1963 under the title *Fêtes champêtres*	Jack Harrison (clarinet) West Australian Symphony Orchestra Verdon Williams (conductor)	Australia Day Free Concert, Supreme Court Gardens Western Australia
9.5.1972	Charles Villiers Stanford Clarinet Concerto, Op. 80. AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Tibor Paul (conductor) West Australian Symphony Orchestra	Youth Concert, Winthrop Hall, University of Western Australia
Feb 1973	Benjamin Brittten Albert Herring PERTH PREMIERE	Georg Tintner (conductor) 12 piece orchestra	Festival of Perth W.A. Opera Company The Octagon Theatre, University of Western Australia
11.11.1973	Malcolm Arnold Clarinet Concerto (1949) AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE	Jack Harrison (clarinet) David Measham (conductor) West Australian Symphony Orchestra	Perth Concert Hall
1973	Poulenc Clarinet Sonata (1963) FIRST AUSTRALIAN RECORDING	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Stephen Dornan (piano)	Recorded at the A.B.C. for the 2^nd L.P. of Churchill Fellowship artists for The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
28.9.1976	Antoni Szalowski Sonatina for Clarinet	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Canberra School of Music	Churchill Fellowship Tenth Memorial Concert, Canberra
16.9.1977	Michael Hurst (arranger) “A Mouth organ Masterpiece”	Jack Harrison (harmonica) West Australian Symphony Orchestra Alan Abbott (conductor)	Family Concert, Perth Concert Hall Western Australia
1978	John Ireland Fantasy for Clarinet	Jack Harrison (clarinet) David Bollard (piano)	UWA free concert, Octagon Theatre University of Western Australia
22.5.1979	Paul Hindemith Quartet for Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano (1938)	Jack Harrison (clarinet) The Wigmore Ensemble Graham Wood (violin) Jill Cole (cello) David Bollard (piano)	Musica Viva Perth Concert Hall
19.8.1981	Villiers Stanford Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Op. 129 (1911)	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Michael Cole (piano)	ABC Recital Basil Kirke Studio
10.4.1994	Geoffrey Allen Five Diversions for oboe, clarinet and bassoon	Jack Harrison (clarinet) Jill Mowson (bassoon) Jay Harrison (oboe)	Churchill Fellow Concert, WAAPA Music Auditorium Western Australia

In 1985 his recording Harmonica and Clarinet was a released recorded by the A.B.C. with the WASO conducted by Richard Mills. It sold out and was rereleased by the A.B.C. as Moon River, this title track still broadcast many times a year.

https://www.abc.net.au/abcmusic/jack-harrison-moon-river/13951798

Another career highlight for Jack was performing in 1987 with the World Philharmonic where he met Audrey Hepburn.

Jack was invited to play as guest principal clarinet of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and was a guest artist at the opening of the Canberra School of Music.

Jack has been featured in many publications including “Clarinet Virtuosi of Today” by Pamela Weston.

https://archive.org/details/isbn_0905858468

Jack was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1971 to study advanced clarinet teaching techniques in Britain and America techniques which have produced some of Australia’s current leading clarinet players is most notable student is Allan Meyer who took over as was a Section Principal Clarinet of the WASO when Jack stepped down to bass clarinet in 1989.

Jack was married for 51 years to Marcia Chayter who wrote the history of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra Celebrating 75 Years published in 2004.

In 2011, Jack and Jill Harrison turned 80 and the ABC compiled this interview:

https://youtu.be/LQ7lb04apf8?si=9LHEvkmMTbZ0IcyJ

Jack and Marcia Harrison had three children:

Jay (born 1959) who retired from the West Australian Symphony Orchestra after 32 years playing cor anglais and oboe.

Kimberley (born 1959) a trumpeter and Head of Music at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School for many years.

Jody (born 1963) an oboist, orchestra manager, agent for classical and jazz musicians with her company Solo to Symphony and now a genealogist, historian and writer.

In his retirement, Jack continued to perform for fun at Probus meetings, public talks, parties and with friends.