Lance Harrison

Saxophonist, clarinetist, banjoist, singer, and entertainer.  Born in Vancouver in 1915, died in 2000. At first a banjoist and guitarist, Harrison switched to saxophone in his teens and played in the Vancouver dance bands of Trevor Page, Sandy DeSantis, and Dal Richards. After service during World War II in RCAF dance and show bands, he was a sideman for over 20 years in Vancouver pit, dance, and hotel orchestras.

In 1950 he began leading his own dixieland band, which was heard on the CBC, in variety series ‘Hotel Downbeat’ and ‘The Twenties Roar’ (radio), ‘Some of Those Days’ (TV) – and on jazz programs. It also performed in Vancouver clubs, on Vancouver Island ferries, and during the 1980s at Troller’s Pub, Horseshoe Bay. Members of the band included trumpeters Stew Barnett or Don Clark, trombonist Jack Fulton, pianist Bud Henderson, and bassist Stan Johnson. It made several CBC broadcast recordings, including The Lance Harrison Dixieland Band (1965, RCI 263), as well as two commercial LPs, The Vancouver Scene (1965, RCA PCS-1043) and Happy Jazz (1972, Water St 1636).

Harrison was a convincing exponent of the dixieland and swing styles; his style reflected the particular influence of Eddie Miller.  He was featured in the 1971 CBC TV special ‘A Visit to New Orleans,’ filmed during a trip to the birthplace of jazz, and appeared with US cornetist ‘Wild Bill’ Davison during club engagements in Toronto and Ottawa in 1983. In 1994 Harrison joined the ensemble Red Beans and Rice, with Rice Honeywell, and recorded the CD Runnin’ Wild in 1996.