Person

HARRISON, Peter

Peter Harrison was a prominent ABC presenter who worked across Perth and Melbourne commercial and public radio from the 1950s through the 1980s.

Peter played the double bass.

Jack Harrison, Nutty Cook, Ted Preston, Peter Harrison

Peter began his career in Perth, working as a popular music and jazz announcer on stations including 6KY (starting around November 1970) and presenting programs for the ABC (such as jazz and swing segments and Sportsview on Saturday afternoons), including Jack Harrison and his Music.

Relocated to Melbourne in February 1972 where he joined 3XY, initially hosting the late-night shift before moving into a highly rated breakfast and morning slot that cemented his reputation for quick wit and a distinctive on-air voice.

He also spent time on 3DB

Instruments

Double Bass

Years

1960

Person

MATTHEWS, Gary

Gary Matthews was an ABC technician who engineered Jack Harrison‘s multi-track clarinet recording Dizzy Fingers at Broadcast House.

Career details kindly provided by Trevor Kelly.

Years

1958
1960

Dizzy Fingers — Multi-Track Clarinet Recording

September 17, 2026

In 1960, clarinettist Jack Harrison recorded “Dizzy Fingers” by Zez Confrey playing all ten clarinet parts. The recordings were played at different speeds, backwards, and superimposed onto the master tape by ABC technician Garry Matthews at Broadcast House.

The Sunday Times, 13 March 1960: “Versatile musician Jack Harrison recently made a recording playing ten parts on clarinet. The finished work will be broadcast on Peter Harrison’s 6WN programme Saturday Roundabout.”