Farewell to Mac Rae @ Holly Hill Social Club - Sept. 2

(Photos by Russell)

Liz Bacon (clarinet); Jim Blenkin (trombone, vocal); Ian Wynne (keys); Phil Rutherford (sousaphone); Paul Bacon (snare drum) + Bill Evans (snare drum); Matty McElvogue (trumpet).

Many of the local jazz musicians and fans turned out to say farewell to Mac Rae - the final half of the Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band.

They gathered at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Felling, at The Crem in Gateshead and, finally, at the Holly Hill Social Club also in Felling.

It was a joyous occasion - if such a word is applicable - I guess Mac wouldn't want it to have been anything other than joyous.

His former band-mates played in the New Orleans tradition that Mac had devoted his musical life to and they did him proud. Bill Evans spelled Paul on drums and Matty McElvogue filled out the frontline on trumpet.

The family laid on a spread that was an abundance of riches and, even after several refills, there was still plenty to spare.

And, whilst the BSH contingent bemoaned the absence of any real ale they couldn't complain about the music.

I didn't make a note of the tunes played although I do recall nice versions of Sentimental Journey; Chinatown my Chinatown; Dinah; Oh Lady be Good! as well as a piano/drum duo by Wynne and Evans on Hymn to Freedom.

Later, several of us retired to The Wheatsheaf in "The Felling" (I've never discovered why Felling is often referred to by those living nearby as "The Felling"!) where more stories and memories were exchanged about a man who, like his late brother Dave, was a local jazz legend.

May he Rest In Peace - Lance