tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post1796549074122342049..comments2024-03-27T22:41:44.357+00:00Comments on bebop spoken here: Farewell Ray ChesterLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494856116843281101noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-22179612468371683452018-04-10T10:47:52.695+01:002018-04-10T10:47:52.695+01:00Ray Chester was one of my comprehensive school tea...Ray Chester was one of my comprehensive school teachers and I also went along to his Saturday morning music sessions in Shields. I am told my biological father was in the Ray Chester Big Band many years ago - played drums, but no contact since I was around 5. I have fond memoried of Ray and he tolerated my flute and saxaphone efforts remarkably well !Lez_Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15374661387629155267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-62477804432191466052013-02-03T02:16:17.687+00:002013-02-03T02:16:17.687+00:00If you would like to know more about Ray's wor...If you would like to know more about Ray's work and leave a tribute.....his website is here...<br /> http://51958003.gb.strato-hosting.eu/RCBB/<br /><br />copy and paste this in your address bar<br />If you missed Ray's ceremony you can read about it too.<br />Our thoughts are with Ray's family at this very sad time.Erik Strodlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-23715223505185994752013-01-27T14:59:06.443+00:002013-01-27T14:59:06.443+00:00My wife and I were fortunate to work at Reyrolle&#...My wife and I were fortunate to work at Reyrolle's of Hebburn in the 1960's and got to know Ray a multi talented musician with a very pleasant personality.<br />Sorry to hear of his passing. <br />Jim and Valerie Mcdowell Jim and Valerie McDowellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-6500545631337828532013-01-27T14:21:58.815+00:002013-01-27T14:21:58.815+00:00So very sad to hear the news about Ray,a lovely ma...So very sad to hear the news about Ray,a lovely man who gave so much to the music scene here in the North East.<br />I spent some time talking with him last year at the Corner House after i had played in the Mike Gilbey tribute night. I thoroughly enjoyed his company and we had a good laugh going through some memories and stories from over the years.He will be missed by us all.<br />My sympathiesScott Adairnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-91520554273977276652013-01-27T09:20:47.903+00:002013-01-27T09:20:47.903+00:00Ray was a fine player, soloist and great asset to ...Ray was a fine player, soloist and great asset to tighten up the Trombone section. On many occasions he played with the Newcastle Big Band, and his scholarly approach to precision brightened up the powerful sound of an often 4 instrument section. <br />I was saddened to hear of his passing. The last time I heard him play was a few years ago when we put a private little gig together at the Baltic Andy Hudsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-48051257366716998142013-01-26T10:28:20.914+00:002013-01-26T10:28:20.914+00:00Many thanks for all your lovely tributes to my dad...Many thanks for all your lovely tributes to my dad.<br /><br />They're very much appreciated by me and all of the family.<br /><br />Ian ChesterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-87527732795355867432013-01-26T08:43:40.129+00:002013-01-26T08:43:40.129+00:00I am in mourning. My Musical Director, Arranger, B...I am in mourning. My Musical Director, Arranger, Big Band Leader and personal friend Ray Chester passed away this morning. When I got the news at 4.13 this morning I was OK but after speaking to and sending messages to the few musicians I have in my library I am feeling very teary. I cannot comprehend how his family is coping. I watched the BBC4 proms with John Williams tonight which was a repeatMia Webbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-88538717161586459972013-01-25T23:52:39.413+00:002013-01-25T23:52:39.413+00:00Very sad to hear this. I phoned Ray about 6 weeks ...Very sad to hear this. I phoned Ray about 6 weeks ago and he sounded good but I was concerned when he told me he was having carers in 3 times per day and to help him to bed. I had known Ray for a long time as well as his wife Joan, who was an amazing woman and very supportive of Ray in his musical career. <br />She worked full time so that he could go to College full time to obtain his Anne DeVerenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-81769079866895796072013-01-25T21:58:51.792+00:002013-01-25T21:58:51.792+00:00Very sad to hear this. Ray was a lovely man.
He br...Very sad to hear this. Ray was a lovely man.<br />He brought his superb big band to Blaydon in October 2011 and everyone loved it, the way he presented it, the whole thing was a joy. <br />Roly<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890708154880054256.post-81016452555349646962013-01-25T10:20:16.847+00:002013-01-25T10:20:16.847+00:00A lovely man and a great musician. He will be much...A lovely man and a great musician. He will be much missed.Steve Andrewsnoreply@blogger.com