Tributes as Preston jazz legend Harold Salisbury dies

Tributes are flooding in for Preston jazz legend Harold Salisbury, who has died aged 92.

The family confirmed the news on Facebook, saying: “We are very sad to announce that our dad Harold Salisbury passed away last week after a short illness. He lived a fulfilling life and was known to so many. Please do feel free to remember him with your thoughts and feelings here.”

A selection of the hundreds of tributes can be read below.

Nat Birchall: “A giant has fallen. Harold was my sax teacher when I first started playing 45 years ago. At the first lesson I asked him about books on improvising, his answer was ‘You don’t need ’em, those are for the people who don’t have ears’… He was an enigmatic teacher, partly because I think he understood we have to work things out for ourselves if we are to really understand it all.”

Denis Plum: “Harold was my sax teacher when I got my first sax back in the day. He was very patient, enthusiastic and inspiring and got me into all sorts of music making me mix tapes of Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Wardell Grey and much more… He was a brilliant player live… Caught him last year after not seeing him for ages at the Ferret and he was still blasting it out and friendly as ever. He was a top guy.”

Richard Wetherall: “I loved Harold, he gave me my first break at The Bakers Vaults every Friday… He was a bit of an Art Blakey in a way, nurturing us young ‘uns in the way of jazz/funk/fusion. I loved that last time I saw him, maybe 5 years ago, when I asked him how he was, he replied “Ok, could do with a few more gigs” – unstoppable!”

George Baines: “Harold was an inspiration to me and going to the Lamb on a Sunday evening to see Free Parking was a special time, such a cool band, such great musicians with Harold sublime on saxophone and clarinet, sometimes both at the same time. A cool dude, snappy dresser and all round lovely guy.”

Martin Dodd: “How very sad. I remember Harold with a great fondness during my prime years as a core Lamb Pub, Church Street, Preston regular 1983 – 1993. Free Parking his band, broke the boundaries down between Jazz and Rock Music. A true gentleman who despite been a quite type of person by nature would always make a point of saying Hello to you.”

Sue Parish: “Harold’s ability to create musical excitement was mesmeric, as was his ‘two horns at once’ trick. His dry wit, and occasional vocal (delivered with a wry twinkle) were also unforgettable… And his ability to make a ballad soar was outstanding. ‘I play the words’ he once told me. It was characteristic that he knew all the lyrics – another aspect of his endless curiosity about art and music.”

Godfrey Birtill: “Harold did a brilliant one take soprano sax solo on this track I wrote and recorded in 1977. Lovely guy and truly amazing player!”

Watch: New Room by Godfrey Birtill (1977) on YouTube

Lynda Lamb: “I first saw Harold at Band on the Wall when my dad used to take me to see him, I was only 12 years old. He played the Lamb, a true gentleman, inspiration, legend. In more recent years, I would enjoy Free Parking at the Ferret and Moorbrook, my favourite evenings. We have been so fortunate to enjoy his talent.”

Simon Levi: “Harold gave me everything in music just when I needed it the most as a young sax player starting out. Gigs at The Bakers and John O’Gaunt and The Lamb. Invaluable saxophone and witty insightful life lessons. Truly sad day, eternally grateful, Harold you were just awesome!”

Kim Kimpostor: “Harold was such an inspiration and such an incredible musician. Me and my husband would go to watch Pinto Beans/Free Parking at the Ferret and the Bitter Suite and marvel at his jazz/funk fusion.”

Dot Brookes: “Harold played at the Bakers Vaults in Stockport every Friday night when my husband Ian and myself ran it. He was such a lovely man and I was very fond of him. He gave so many young students the chance to perform in public and welcomed them into the freedom of being a Jazz Musician.”

Rachel Ashley: “I worked with Harold so much over the years. My favourite gig was not one of mine, though I was lucky enough to guest frequently, were the Wednesday nights at The Broadoak in Ashton where he played with the wonderful Brian Crowdy. I loved those Wednesdays so very much. Beautiful, beautiful music and such precious memories.”

Gary Ward: “Harold was amazing and always a joy to welcome to my jazz nights in Darwen. Whether it was blowing two saxes at the same time or insisting on his statutory 15 minute work break, or his mic stand (we could never work out if it was older than Harold or not!)… He always raised a smile and endeared himself to those around him as well as the audience in front of him. We should treasure those memories. A great musician, a real character, RIP Harold and thanks for the music and joy over many many years.”

Did you know Harold? Leave your own tributes in the comments.

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