Ian Smith's interest in music starts at a young age and grows as he gets older. He soon starts gathering others with the intention of forming a jazz band.
The New Harlem Jazz Band lineup is completed and the band starts to be noticed, and gets more gigs. A recording opportunity arises and is almost derailed by a burnt roast dinner.
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.