Harry South (1929 – 1990) was an English jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, who later moved into film and television soundtrack work.

He came to prominence in the 1950s, subsequently playing with many of the most important musicians on the British jazz scene, notably Joe Harriott, Dizzy Reece, Dick Morrissey, and Tubby Hayes.

In the mid-1960s, he began working with British rhythm & blues singer and organist Georgie Fame, organising and composing for his big band.

He also formed his own jazz big band in 1966, featuring many of the finest jazz musicians and soloists in the UK such as Hayes, Dick Morrissey, Phil Seamen, Keith Christie, Ronnie Scott and Ian Carr, and recorded a fine album for Mercury Records.

He later branched out into session work, writing themes and incidental music for television and music libraries. His theme tune for the 1970s ITV police drama, The Sweeney, remains iconic to this day.

In 2001, National Youth Jazz Orchestra released a dedicated CD in his honour entitled Portraits - The Music Of Harry South.

Partial discography

• Presenting the Harry South Big Band - Harry South Big Band - (1966) - Mercury 20081MCL

External links

• Harry South at the British Bebop website