Age, Biography and Wiki

Harold McNair was born on 5 November, 1931 in Kingston, Jamaica, is a Jamaican musician. Discover Harold McNair's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 40 years old?

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Occupation Saxophonist and flautist
Age 40 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born 5 November 1931
Birthday 5 November
Birthplace Kingston, Jamaica
Date of death 1971
Died Place Maida Vale, London, England
Nationality Jamaica

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 5 November. He is a member of famous musician with the age 40 years old group.

Harold McNair Height, Weight & Measurements

At 40 years old, Harold McNair height not available right now. We will update Harold McNair's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

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Harold McNair Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Harold McNair worth at the age of 40 years old? Harold McNair’s income source is mostly from being a successful musician. He is from Jamaica. We have estimated Harold McNair's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income musician

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Timeline

1931

Harold McNair (5 November 1931 – 7 March 1971) was a Jamaican-born saxophonist and flautist.

McNair was born in Kingston, Jamaica.

He attended the Alpha Boys School under the tutelage of Vincent Tulloch, while playing with Joe Harriott (a lifelong friend who considered McNair his de facto younger brother), Wilton "Bogey" Gaynair, and Baba Motta's band.

He spent the first decade of his musical career in The Bahamas, where he used the name "Little G" for recordings and live performances.

His early Bahamian recordings were mostly in Caribbean musical styles rather than jazz, in which he sang and played both alto and tenor saxophone.

1950

Like many other Caribbean jazz musicians of the 1950s and 1960s (e.g., Joe Harriott, Dizzy Reece and Harry Beckett), McNair moved to Britain.

However, before arriving in London, he toured Europe with Quincy Jones and worked on film and TV scores in Paris.

Once in London, he quickly gained a reputation as a formidable player on flute, alto and tenor saxophone, leading to a regular gig at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.

1958

He also played a calypso singer in the film Island Women (1958).

1960

In 1960, he recorded his first album, a mixture of jazz and calypso numbers entitled Bahama Bash.

It was around this time that he began playing the flute, which would eventually become his signature instrument.

Initially he had some lessons in New York, but he was largely self-taught.

He departed for Europe later in 1960.

McNair's unique phrasing on the flute in particular led to great demand for his services among non-jazz musicians, especially during the late 1960s.

His best-known sideman role came via his regular participation (with Cameron) on Donovan's mid-to-late 1960s recording sessions, and as a member of Donovan's touring band.

Throughout the late 1960s he also played on many other jazz-inflected folk music and progressive rock albums, including John Martyn's The Tumbler and Davy Graham's Large as Life and Twice as Natural.

1961

His playing drew the admiration of bass player Charles Mingus, who was in London to shoot the motion picture All Night Long (1961).

McNair was part of a quartet Mingus formed to rehearse with during his stay in Britain.

However, the band never performed in front of a paying audience, due to a ban imposed by the Musicians' Union on US musicians in British nightclubs.

A recording of the band exists, playing the earliest recorded version of the Mingus composition "Peggy's Blue Skylight".

The Musician's Union ban was lifted later in 1961, leading to a residency by US tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims at Ronnie Scott's club.

Ironically, McNair's own quartet were also on the bill, resulting in two of his performances with Phil Seamen on drums being issued.

Around the same time, he also recorded with the drummer Tony Crombie and the percussionist Jack Costanzo.

McNair cut his first all-jazz album, Up in the Air with Harold McNair on a visit to Miami, before settling back in London permanently.

1962

Another notable soundtrack contribution was his tenor saxophone on the original 1962 soundtrack theme from Dr. No and his solo flute on Johnny Harris, Movements (Warner Bros. 1970) that was originally recorded for the original soundtrack of the film Fragment of Fear.

1965

His first UK album as a leader, Affectionate Fink, was made for the fledgling Island Records in 1965.

The session saw him team up with Ornette Coleman's then current rhythm section of David Izenzon (bass) and Charles Moffett (drums), for a set of standards played with hard swinging intensity.

McNair equally featured his tenor sax and flute on this session, delivering virtuoso performances on both.

1967

He recorded with visiting Americans Jon Hendricks, pianist/vocalist Blossom Dearie and drummer Philly Joe Jones and performed with saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis at the Manchester Sports Guild in 1967.

McNair arranged the hit single "There Is a Mountain" (1967) and played the flute riff.

Donovan's live album Donovan in Concert features McNair's flute and tenor extensively and demonstrates some of his finest recorded work.

1968

His next (self-titled) album, cut for RCA in 1968, recorded at Trident Studios featured probably his best known composition, "The Hipster", which was included on Gilles Peterson's 2004 Impressed Vol. 2 compilation of 1960s British jazz.

1969

His flute was featured on the soundtrack for Ken Loach's film Kes (1969), with music written by regular McNair collaborator John Cameron.

1970

His next album was Flute and Nut (RCA, 1970), which featured big band and string arrangements by John Cameron.

This was quickly followed up in the same year by The Fence, which moved in the direction of jazz fusion.

1971

McNair died of lung cancer in Maida Vale, North London, on Sunday, 7 March 1971, at the age of 39.

Appearance in compilations

With CCS

1972

Another self-titled album was issued posthumously in 1972 by the B&C label, which mixed tracks from the 1968 RCA album with later, unreleased recordings.

Recordings as a jazz sideman included sessions with the jazz-rock/big band ensemble Ginger Baker's Air Force and John Cameron's Off Centre.