Ronnie Rae

Father of John and Ronnie jnr. Started on tuba when 11 YO with ‘Musselburgh and Fisherrrow Brass Band’. Won prize as best tuba player in Scotland. Later switched to double bass and studied at Johnny Keating’s School of Music 1957-58 where he received tuition from Jimmy Luke. First gig on bass was at the Crown Hotel, Hawick with Edwin Holland’s band with which he stayed for number of months. Around 1958 played and recorded with the Jim Munro Combo which was active around Edinburgh and Musselburgh. Later worked with the Palais bands in Edinburgh and Glasgow and in the ‘Alex Shaw Trio’. In the 1960s began his professional career, playing at Butlin’s Camps and on the liners. Later moved south to play with the ‘Alex Welsh JB’ with which he played 2 spells, one from 1963 and the other from 1965. Made recordings with the Welsh band and played with a number of touring solo stars including Ruby Braff, Ben Webster, Bill Coleman, Eddie Miller, Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis, Bud Freeman, Wild Bill Davison and Earl Hines. After return to Edinburgh played 7 nights a week with Alex Shaw in the Mount Royal Hotel and backed Earl Hines again in the Chimes Casino. His reputation led to him playing again with many other great free lance touring stars including Al Cohn, George Chisholm, Georgie Fame, Ray Bryant, Art Farmer, Tal Farlow, Buddy de Franco, Johnny Griffin, Barney Kessel, Red Norvo, Lee Konitz, Humphrey Lyttelton, Shorty Rogers, Buddy Tate, Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Teddy Wilson, Louis Stewart, Spike Robinson and many more. Played all over the world including many famous jazz festivals and was the bass player in residence at the Fife Summer Jazz School and did 6 years at the SAC funded Fionna Duncan Vocal Jazz Workshop. Wrote and arranged 11 of his own compsitions and formed ‘Scotia Nostra’ to play them on a tour around Scotland. Formed a close working partnership with singer Fionna Duncan.Not the least of his legacy to Scottish jazz was to found a jazz dynasty, all of his 2 sons and 4 daughters making their mark in jazz. More information is on the family website http://raefamilyjazz.com.