R.I.P. Stan Coates

(Obituary by Lance)

Just heard the sad news that saxophone player Stan Coates died on Monday evening.
Stan was a well respected sax player, arranger and educator. I recall him as Director of Music (or some similar title) for South Tyneside Council.
Although perhaps best known as a baritone sax player, when I first met him he was playing alto doubling violin at the New Crown Hotel in South Shields where he played on a Sunday evening with Eddie Tindle's Band. I was playing in one of the hotel's lesser rooms but, during the break, he would come through (slumming) and we'd chat about mouthpieces and reeds - all those things that sax players talk about. Through this I got to know him quite well. Later, when I worked in a Newcastle music store (J.G.Windows) I had further dealings with him and always found him easy to get along with.
Although he played in many bands his most enduring association was with Ray Chester in whose band, for many years, he held down the baritone chair. Stan also had a fruitful association with George Evans when the former Geraldo tenor player returned to Newcastle.

In recent years Stan organised his own big band often making trips to London to acquire new arrangements. The loss of his wife Pat - was it last year? - saw his own health deteriorating and he spent his latter days in a nursing home.

A musician and a gentleman Stan Coates will be sadly missed.

Lance.

PS: There are many musicians out there who knew Stan better than I did who may like to contribute there own memories.
PPS: Here's the photo of Jos Q, with Harry Atkinson (t), Sid Warren, Stan, Ken Treacher (sax), Albert Hayward (b) and Dawson Hakin (d) - Carstairs.