Harry Strang

Harry Strang was a prominent Dunedin musician and piano tuner. His Excelsior Dance Band began playing the Dunedin Town Hall dances in 1946, enjoying the wave of popularity of the American "big band" sound. He became well-known around New Zealand as the dance hall performances were broadcast nationally on Radio 4ZB.

“We finally cornered Joe and told him we weren’t happy …. (that) if he didn’t come across the three bands would pull out …. And we finally got an extra half crown a player for the ones that played over the air….” - Harry Strang

Eventually Harry started dances at St Kilda, in opposition to Brown. The St Kilda dances were well-attended and people remember the great music and the beautiful mirror ball that sparkled as people danced. 

We're responsible for half the families round the country, or at least the dances certainly are. - Harry Strang

A professional musician, and one of very few who could read sheet music, Harry was in great demand as a session musician for touring international acts, and he was signed to the Master record label in 1968.

Harry was also a businessman - he was a piano tuner by day while playing in the band at night, so there was little time for rehearsal, and his ability to read sheet music stood him in good stead. Often he would be playing new scores he'd received earlier in the day with just an hour's rehearsal ready for that night's dance. 

The last time the Excelsiors officially played together was in 1973, but they held a reunion in 1996 and played for a dance at the Otago Settlers' Museum, with many of the original line-up (then in their 70s) playing in the band. They were joined by Harry's three musician sons, Jim, Richard and David.

Harry went one to establish the Taieri Music Centre in Mosgiel in 1975, operating a music tuition franchise, and supported his son Jim in the shop when he opened his Piano Specialists business in 1994.

References:

"Harry Strang's 'big band' back together" - Otago Daily Times, 5/10/96

"Piano popularity picking up" - The Star, 18/11/98