John Rae (musician)

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John Rae
Born (1966-06-08) 8 June 1966 (age 57)
Edinburgh, Scotland
Website www.johnrae.biz

John Rae (born 8 June in 1966 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.[1] In addition to performing, Rae has taught at the New Zealand School of Music and is the leader and composer for the acclaimed New Zealand jazz group The Troubles.[2] 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'.[3]

Rae recorded his first album at the age of sixteen with the acclaimed Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith[4] and has subsequently recorded over 30 albums as a leader[5] and side man, including two BBC Jazz Albums of the Year (2004 and 2003).[6]

As a leader Rae has recorded and toured internationally and recorded The Big If Smiles Again, Celtic Feet, Beware the Feet, Magic Feet and Miraculous Meetings.[7]

From 2000–2003, Rae was the drummer for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra[8] and was awarded a prestigious Herald Angel Award at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Musical Director and composer for a specially commissioned and choreographed modern dance piece commissioned by the national school of dance in Scotland, Dance Base, this critically acclaimed production entitled Off Kilter[9] was performed at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre and mixed Scottish traditional dancing with modern dance, hip-hop and traditional Indian dance. Part of this piece was performed at the opening ceremony of the Scottish National Parliament and in New York City.

Rae has been involved with many groundbreaking groups including the:

  • The Troubles : New Zealand jazz group.
  • Giant Stepping Stanes : a ground breaking cross-cultural group bringing together modern jazz musicians with traditional Celtic musicians.
  • Power of Scotland Big Band : a 17 piece big band featuring the cream of Scottish jazz musicians
  • John Rae Collective seminal : 6-piece contemporary jazz group in the 1980s
  • John Rae's Celtic Feet : A group that morphed from The Giant Stepping Stanes concept using traditional Celtic players and modern jazz players
  • Afro Celtic Jazz Ensemble : contemporary group featuring a mixture of Scottish jazz musicians and Afro/American jazz musicians
  • Magic Feet : 8 piece group featuring traditional Scottish musicians, Hungarian Gypsy musicians and jazz musicians
  • Miraculous Meetings : An All-Star Balkan group with a jazz rhythm section

Rae is also a key member of the Brian Kellock trio and has performed with:

Selected discography

References

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External links