Ray Davies was a Welsh trumpeter, session musician, and bandleader, active from the 1940s to 1970s.[1] Much of his work featured on the Boosey & Hawkes stock music library,[2] experiencing a surge in popularity during the 1990s lounge revival, and he also frequently conducted the BBC Radio Orchestra, as well as playing for the BBC Big Band.[3][4] He is the father of record producer Rhett Davies, and served as chairman of BASCA from 2004 to 2010.[5][6]
Ray Davies | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 7 October 1927 Swansea, Wales |
| Died | 20 July 2017 (aged 89) |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse | Diane Davies |
| Children | incl. Rhett Davies |
| Musical career | |
| Also known as | Ray Kendall, Chico Rey |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Trumpet, Flugelhorn |
| Labels | Dansan Records, DJM Records, Fontana, Philips, Pye |
During his childhood, he played in local military bands,[7] after which he attended the Royal College of Music. After finishing his education, he began to play trumpet for a large number of orchestras, big bands, and theatres across London, including that of Frank Cordell.
In the 1960s, he took part in a session for Reader's Digest, which, wanting a British response to Herb Alpert, led to Davies forming his band. This group was known as Ray Davies and The Button-Down Brass (or The Button-Down Brass Featuring The Funky Trumpet of Ray Davies), and it released a series of popular easy-listening albums, as well as covers of television and film theme tunes.[8]
At the same time, he also entered the pop scene, playing trumpet on records such as It's Not Unusual, Downtown, and Shirley Bassey's version of Big Spender.[8] Known for his short temper, he became an accomplished songwriter, and he was consulted by many pop bands, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, on musical arrangements.[9]
He died at the age of 89, on 20 July 2017.[9]
References edit
- ^ "News: RIP Bandleader Ray Davies". The Reprobate. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Production Music by Ray Davies | Audio Network". Audio Network. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Latham, Peter (18 May 1967). "Weather: News followed by Breakfast Special". Light Programme. BBC. BBC Light Programme. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Race, Steve (18 March 1987). "Steve Race Presents...". Steve Race Presents... BBC. BBC Radio 2. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Ray Davies 1927-2017 | PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund". www.prsformusicfund.com. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Ray Davies RIP - M Magazine". M magazine: PRS for Music online magazine. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Russell, Ron (September 1946). "Stairway To The Stars". Universal Jazz. pp. 15–16.
- ^ a b "Vocalion SACD New Releases - June 2017 - duttonvocalion.co.uk". www.duttonvocalion.co.uk. June 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ a b Delaney, Roy (Winter 2017). "Tributes". The Musician. pp. 159–161. Retrieved 15 April 2018.