Ray Davies (trumpeter)

Ray Davies
Born (1927-10-07)October 7, 1927
Swansea, Wales
Died July 20, 2017(2017-07-20) (aged 89)
Occupation
  • trumpeter
  • bandleader
  • composer
  • musician
Spouse(s) Diane Davies
Children incl. Rhett Davies
Musical career
Also known as Ray Kendall, Chico Rey
Genres
Instruments Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Labels Fontana, Pye
Associated acts

Ray Davies was an English 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]

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, 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 July 20, 2017.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "News: RIP Bandleader Ray Davies". The Reprobate. 2017-07-27. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  2. ↑ "Production Music by Ray Davies | Audio Network". Audio Network. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  3. ↑ Latham, Peter (1967-05-18). "Weather: News followed by Breakfast Special". Light Programme. BBC. BBC Light Programme. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  4. ↑ Race, Steve (1987-03-18). "Steve Race Presents...". Steve Race Presents... BBC. BBC Radio 2. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  5. ↑ "Ray Davies 1927-2017 | PRS for Music Members Benevolent Fund". www.prsformusicfund.com. 2017-07-24. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  6. ↑ "Ray Davies RIP - M Magazine". M magazine: PRS for Music online magazine. 2017-07-24. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  7. ↑ Russell, Ron (September 1946). "Stairway To The Stars". Universal Jazz. pp. 15–16.
  8. 1 2 "Vocalion SACD New Releases - June 2017 - duttonvocalion.co.uk". www.duttonvocalion.co.uk. June 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  9. 1 2 Delaney, Roy (Winter 2017). "Tributes". The Musician. pp. 159–161. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
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