Who Walks In - the story of the new harlem jazz band

It's the early sixties and we meet a young Ian Smith who recalls his interest in music, especially jazz. He took lessons on the drums and started playing in a rock band.  He is captivated by the music he hears on the ABC jazz program presented by Eric Child. But he was attracted to playing the trumpet and eventually acquires one and teaches himself to play it. Before long he was making contact with other budding musicians and thinking about starting a jazz band. Eventually he put a band together which rehearsed weekly. With a growing repertoire the band started doing some gigs. But some of the members didn't stick around, eventually only four were left. In 1979 Ian decided to place an advertisement for a drummer, a pianist and a trombonist in The Age newspaper, in an attempt to get the band going again.

Drummer Richard Opat responds to Ian's advertisement and gets the gig. Ian persuades trombonist Chris Ludowyk to join and the band lineup is completed with a chance meeting in the street with pianist Doug Rawson. New Harlem makes successful appearances at the Geelong Jazz Festival in 1969 and 1970 and starts getting more gigs.In 1972 the band gets an opportunity to record for the Jazznote label. Jeff Parkes leaves the band before the recording is completed and is replaced by Bill Morris. A second attempt at the recording is almost ruined by a potential burnt roast dinner. 

After three changes in the line-up, the band records their first full LP.

New Harlem starts a long and enjoyable association with one of the greats of the Melbourne jazz scene. But the release of their first LP is delayed by an unexpected technical glitch.

The band is a big hit at the 1978 Adelaide Jazz Convention. But in 1979 there is a very significant change to the frontline.

New Harlem records two albums in the one year and at the end of 1982 another long standing member leaves.

In this episode the band goes camping and records an album that makes one critic very grumpy.

After celebrating their twentieth birthday, the band faces a big decision about what to do next.