1954 – Harrison History

19 February 1949

BOB GIBSON – GEORGE WATSON – JIM RILEY

PERTH JAZZ MEN ARE TOPS IN EAST

Recent news about WA dance musicians who have sought to establish national reputations is good news. At least 4 who have been questing after the big-time in the Eastern States have made it, some of them ranking amongst the top-salaried musicians of the day. Currently occupying press space in musical magazines and feeling the for and, against quips of critics in Sydney is Ray Hartley, onetime popular pianist at radio lunch-hour concerts in Perth. General gossip has it that Ray is sow in the high salary range although it is rumoured that the road has been long and very rough. At present Ray is featured with Paul Lombard’s outfit at the Celebrity Club which used to be Rose’s and spare time, as little as he may have, L being turned towards arranging and holding down a couple of radio spots. In addition to this Ray contributes to the Music Maker, the Australian Dance Band Editorial and his articles on prominent keyboard men are a worth while contribution to that magazine. Although his name is usually associated with lunch hour concerts, Ray’s success was first assured in renditions of the Ray Hartley Trio; a combination which he has reformed in Sydney.

Among the State’s leading percussion men who have made the grade in the East is George Watson.

George comes from a Mt. Lawley family and is the son of a true Scottish piper. As a small boy, he played side drum with a Scottish pipe band, so that it appears as though George was always meant to be a skin-beater. George Watson was just another great jazz man to pass through the famous Ron Moyle outfit in the thirties, when he relieved Niddy Roberts who went to Ceylon. Towards the end of the thirties, he packed his kit and went to Melbourne but found that the opposition was too strong and that opportunities for strangers were few and far between and so he returned to the West. However, this was not sufficient to deter him, and determined that he would make the grade, he again packed and left for Melbourne and within a very short time had captured the admiration of Melbourne public. His style of drumming was looked upon as something out of the bag, and his ballroom dancing was just eccentric. During the war, George Watson was known by all servicemen, and his Dug Out band was one of the best smaller orks in Melbourne. George is still well in the game and enjoying success in his drumming school in Melbourne.

[1]

Jazz Concert – George Watson Show

Sunday 7 November 1954

Popular

The Capitol theatre was packed last night when six local bands and a combined band led by George Watson, a former West Australian, gave a jazz concert. Mr. Watson is regarded in Melbourne as one of Australia’s foremost drummers and bandleaders.

The young audience heard jazz classics played by Neil Boon’s Quartet; Cliff Adam’s Show Band; Harry Phillips’ Quartet; Ossie Sanderson’s Trio; Jack Harrison’s Quartet; and the Dixieland Group. [2]