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TRIBUTES

To my dear friend Ray. We first met in 1965 and since then have shared countless memories and musical experiences. I can truly say that it has been an honour to know you, work for you and play with you. I was in your very first big band in 1966 and played in it until the last gig on 13th October 2011 at Blaydon Jazz Club, a total of over 45 years. In many musician's opinion, including Ray's, this last gig was the best performance the band ever gave, and it is my personal regret that it was not recorded. It is the musical world's loss that Ray is no longer with us, but his memory will live on through his recordings and his incomparable library. RIP Ray Don Fairley

My cousin Ray was one of the nicest,kindest,funniest people that I have ever met. As a child I looked up to him as to no other. His were the words of encouragement and skills that nurtured my own musical path.In saying that, I'm sure I am one of countless people whom he helped in that disarmingly gentle way that he had with everyone he met. He was, and always will be, an inspiration.He could write in all sorts of genres,and at a piano, many years ago, it seemed that the music just oozed from his fingers.In fact it came from all of him - it was his life, along with his lovely wife Joan, and his four children. We are bereft at the loss of a fine musician, and a lovely man. M.J.

I enjoy being a member of Nova Brass having been their horn player for over 25 years. My twin brother Don is the trombone player (see another tribute). One of the quintet's favourite pieces is a suite of well known North East songs called Northumbrian Suite which was arranged by Ray several years ago for, I believe, the Northern Sinfonia's brass quintet. Ray had gifted the arrangement via Don to Nova Brass for us to play and it had become a particular favourite. By coincidence the quintet had been booked to play a gig to support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation at Bishop Auckland on Wednesday 30th January and we had decided to use this suite as our final piece quite some time before learning that Ray had passed away on the previous Friday. It was with great sadness that we played what was I think our best rendition of this wonderful arrangement which demonstrated to the five members of Nova Brass just what a musical genius Ray was. Rest in peace, Ray.Tony Fairley

As a "dep" from time to time I always enjoyed playing with a tremendous trombone section and indeed the band. Ray was one of the most enthusiastic people I have ever met with the keenest eye and ear for detail. The turn out at the ceremony was tremendous.......a measure of how truly Ray was liked and respected.Along with Don, I had the pleasure of visiting Ray at home on numerous occasions and we always enjoyed the times talking about the band as well as others and life in general. Ray has left us but he will not be forgotten....as a tribute, I for one would like to see the band stay together.....the library is too good to stay shut.             
                                                              Erik Strodl

So sad to hear that Ray has passed away. He was a very nice man and a fantastic musician.. With kindest regards and deepest sympathy, Ian Stronach (former Student of Ray's)

My first introduction to the Ray Chester Big Band was at the Alexandra Pub in Grangetown Sunderland. The Musicians Union held a fundraiser there and four bands had been invited to play, Rays band being one of them. I was, at that time, singing with the Tommy Moran Quartet and we were first to play. During the interval I went to the 'Ladies Room' to powder my nose and when I came out I saw Ray pacing up and down the foyer with a really perplexed expression on his face. When I asked him what was wrong he explained that his vocalist hadn't turned up and that would mean that his 'set' would be at least a half an hour short. He then asked me if I knew a few numbers that were in the pad (dippy Dora here didn't know he was more or less asking me to sing with the band). I was quite pleased with myself when I told him I knew all but one and almost immediately I was whisked to the band stand. The thing is I cannot read a note of music and when I looked at the music in front of me I was in utter shock. The notes looked like little spiders all over the page. Yes the lyrics were there but they seemed to blend in with the spiders. When I explained to Ray that I couldn't read music he just said "Don't worry, I'll give you a nudge when to stop and when to come back in again. Hence to say that by the end of the evening my left side and arm were incredibly sore and a few days later resembled a beautiful array of colours from the bruises that appeared.I was very lucky that night as Ray decided to keep me as his regular vocalist and I was with the band for 14 years. I am honoured and proud to have sung with such a prestigious band led by the genius that was Ray Chester. His arrangements were utterly astonishing and most of them were played live at our gigs, without rehearsal, by the musicians he chose and trusted to read them.In his own words "I only pick the best" and the best is what made Rays band champions of the North East and beyond.                  

                                                     Mia Webb                                   

I was a student at the Newcastle CAT between the years of 83 - 86 on the Light Music course. Ray was one of my arranging lecturers and leader of the CAT big band. Despite my being a rock/pop guitar player with limited jazz ability he was very tolerant of me playing in the rhythm section, even sorting out the odd "rocky" arrangements that suited me. I loved playing in that band, and learnt so much. He had a fantastic ear, and taught me that is one of the most important tools a musician should have. Once I was asked to play a Manhatten Transfer number for a CAT concert but I couldn't work out the chords from the cassette I had, none of the guitar players could that I approached (and we had some great players). In a passing chat to Ray he said give me your Walkman, sat at a piano and wrote it out note for note in about 5 mins I was gobsmacked... I eventually pursued a career in TV sound, but am still a keen musician and also use these skills in my job from time to time. I had some fantastic lecturers and Ray was up there with the best of them. It was a shock to hear of his passing, rest in peace Ray.

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I was on a 'Light Music' course at the time and graduated with a 1 distinction and 'Student of the Year' award.

I was privileged to have been taught harmony by Mr Ray Chester.  Since having left the college and returning to London I've done many things as well as having travelled the world with my music, but always wondered what had happened to Ray as I am still in touch with my ex drum tutor Mr Roger Hempsall as well as guitarist and course leader at the time Mr James Birkett.

I would like to share a few memories of him here if I may. 

As young jazz students Ray always seemed to be concerned and wanting to help with our development.  I remember him taking our class up to the Corner House in Heaton one lunch time and having us perform for the public.  It was my first real gig and he'd helped to take the drums up to the venue in his navy SAAB with the carrier on the back. 
It felt great to be playing in public even though there were very few people there.  My earnings were all of £3.00p!

There was an incredibly funny situation once as first year students.  We were up in the Rehearsal Room at the C.A.T. as we used to call it.  Ray was chewing us out over our terrible timing as a band.  Then he began to mumble something and then went for a wooden metronome which he put down with some force on the piano top.  Then he said: "Watch that and then play with it!" 
So we're looking at this metronome to get the time and to our horror, the old-fashioned metronome which was moving from left to right, suddenly got slower and slower and slower…and then stopped!  We just fell about laughing!  Ray thought it was pretty hilarious too!  He had a sense of humour.

Ray was always so encouraging and went above his call of duty as a tutor, to help individuals.  He offered me the opportunity to play gigs with him at the Swallow Hotel in Newcastle Town Centre on a couple of weekends.  At the time they paid £30 which was always helpful as a student, but it was the fact that I did not have a drum kit and that Ray would take the college kit home and bring it to the  venue and take it back home after the gig.  I always met him early in the morning at college to retrieve it and put it back before it was needed by other students.  The kit and hardware was heavy yet he did this for me.

A comment he made to me regarding my drumming has always remained with me.  He had sought me out for a project in the college amongst other drummers one day and he said to me: "I like your playing because you LISTEN."
I've heard that many times since but he was the first person to have said it to me.

Our improvisation sessions with him were funny for some reason or another but the tasks which he put us through made a difference to me and I went on to work with Courtney Pine and the Jazz Warriors and Loose Tubes to name a few.   Ray always had us playing 'Satin Doll' and now every time I hear it, I ALWAYS think of him!

Ray was a caring and sensitive soul and I shall miss him very much as he made a difference to my college and musical life.



I unfortunately also lost my mother whom I was caring for full time.  I was with her when she died on February 9th 2013.


I am currently due to start work with a show called 'Five Guys Named Moe' which travels to Scotland in November and then back to London in Feb. 2017 until October of the same year.  I like to think that the skills which I have now were nurtured by people like Ray, Roger, James and also a wonderful alto saxophonist and jazz tutor Brian Whittle,  whilst at the College of Arts & Technology.

R.I.P. Ray

Cheryl L. Alleyne.