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10 Facts About Harold McNair

1.

Harold McNair was a Jamaican-born saxophonist and flautist.

2.

Harold McNair attended the Alpha Boys School under the tutelage of Vincent Tulloch, while playing with Joe Harriott, Wilton "Bogey" Gaynair, and Baba Motta's band.

3.

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

4.

Harold McNair played a calypso singer in the film Island Women.

5.

Harold McNair's playing drew the admiration of bass player Charles Mingus, who was in London to shoot the motion picture All Night Long.

6.

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

7.

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

8.

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

9.

Harold McNair arranged the hit single "There Is a Mountain" and played the flute riff.

10.

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