John Rae (musician)

John Rae
John Rae musician-composer
Background information
Birth name	John Rae
Born	(1966-06-08) 8 June 1966 Edinburgh, Scotland
Genres	Jazz, orchestral jazz, swing, big band, 21st century jazz, jazz fusion, free improvisation
Occupation(s)	Musician, band leader, composer, educator, record company
Instrument(s)	Drums, violin, piano
Years active	1966–present
Labels	Caber Music, Thick-Skinned, Rattle, Linn, Hep
Website	www.johnrae.biz

John Rae (born 8 June 1966 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a jazz drummer, composer and band leader.

Biography

2010 CNZ/Jack C. Richards composer-in-residence at Victoria University, Wellington New Zealand. The leader and composer for the acclaimed New Zealand jazz group The Troubles. His writing incorporates a global perspective and his use of traditional instruments along with strings and jazz instruments, has been described as '21st century jazz'. In addition to performing, Rae has taught at the New Zealand School of Music.

Rae recorded his first album at the age of sixteen with the acclaimed Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith and has subsequently recorded over 50 albums as a leader and side man, including two BBC Jazz Albums of the Year (2004 and 2003).

From 2000–2003, Rae was the drummer for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and was awarded a prestigious Herald Angel Award at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Musical Director and composer for the specially commissioned and choreographed modern dance piece by the national school of dance in Scotland, Dance Base, entitled Off Kilter

Rae has been involved with many groundbreaking international groups including *The Troubles : *Giant Stepping Stanes : *John Rae Collective *John Rae's Celtic Feet : *Afro Celtic Jazz Ensemble : *Magic Feet : *Miraculous Meetings :

Rae is a key member of the Brian Kellock trio and over his career has performed with many world class musician including *Tal Farlow *Joe Lovano *Lee Konitz *Ingrid Jensen *George Colligan *Dave Liebman *Maria Schneider*BBC Radio Big Band *Tony Scott *Charles MacPherson *Dave Berkman *Sheila Jordan *Art Farmer *Ethan Iverson*Jamie Cullum *Warren Vache *Findlay Macdonald *Julian Arguelles *Guus Janssen *Buddy DeFranco *Red Rodney *Julio Pacheco*Mark Murphy *Pete King *Scott Hamilton *Jim Mullen *Barney Kessel *Kenny Wheeler *Ken Peplowski *Martin Taylor, *Tommy Smith *Vijay Iyer *Jessie Davies *Mike Nock *New Zealand String Quartet

Selected discography

• The Troubles – The Troubles, Rattle Records
• Campbell/Rae/Dyne – Storm in a Teacup, Rattle Records
• Mike Nock – Transformations, CDMANUS129
• Mike Nock – Sketches, CDMANUS130
• Warren Vache – Just Hold Me, INN10
• Fionna Duncan – Body and Soul, TenToTen Records
• Ronnie Rae – Cradle to the Groove, TenToTen Records
• Tommy Smith – Giant Strides, G.R.P 322
• Martin Taylor – Change of Heart, Linn AKD
• Spike Robinson- Stairway to the Stars, Hep 03
• Tom Bancroft Orchestra – Tom Bancroft, Caber 001
• Hue and Cry – Stars Crash Down, EMI
• Brian Kellock Trio – Something's got to Give, Caber 003
• Brian Kellock Trio – Live at Henry's, Caber 020 (BBC Album of the Year 2003)
• Suzanne Bonnar – Empty Tables, JB CD9001
• John Rae Collective – The Big If Smiles Again, Caber 022
• John Rae's Celtic Feet – Celtic Feet, Caber 010
• John Rae's Celtic Feet – Beware the Feet, Caber 018
• John Burges – Urge to Burge, Caber 011
• Findlay Macdonald – Findlay Macdonald, Foot Stompin Records
• Colin Steele – Twilight Dreams, Caber 021 (BBC Album of the Year 2004)
• Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – Kind of Blue, Spartacus Records
• Colin Steele – The Journey Home, Caber 029

References

• Longley, Martin (2 May 2000). "Music sure to get those Celtic Feet tapping; Drummer John Rae, who brings his band to Birmingham tomorrow, talks to Martin Longley about his blend of traditional music and jazz". The Birmingham Post (England). Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
• Trapp, Roger (15 May 2004). "Jazz & Blues". The Independent (London). Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
• Fordham, John (3 September 2001). "Kellock/Rae: Pizza Express Jazz Club, London". The Guardian (London). Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
• "Jazz on 3: Double Bill: John Law European Quartet/John Rae's Magic Feet". Radio 3. BBC. 8 October 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
• Mathieson, Kenny (15 November 2004). "Drumming up interest in Scots jazz". The Scotsman. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
• "Scotland: Jazz". Scotland Cultural Profile. The Scottish Government and the British Council Scotland. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2009.

External links

• John Rae official website
• [2]
• Thick-Skinned Productions Ltd
• The Rae Family website