I know this is mainly an organ forum,but I feel I want to say a few words about my recently departed friend and jazzman extraordinaire(keyboards)-
Ray Ward-so please bare with me?
Ray had been a self taught musician for most of his life-unable to get to grips with reading music, but he never found this, in his case, a hurdle he needed to negotiate -he discovered he had a natural ability to just listen to the jazz greats on his old records and emulate their riffs and melodies, adding his own thus creating his individual style and a new dimension in music.
He ran the fortnightly jazz club here in the East of England and brought many great talents to our attention.
he worked extensively in UK and had, over a long career, association with many of the leading names in this genre.
He was very well respected by his peers.
His efforts to sometimes overcome the general apathy that exists in some areas for live entertainment meant that he sometimes went without financial re-emboursement himself so that his guests and audience would not suffer.
His amazing ability to fit in with any musician/outfit was legendry-I was fortunate enough to be at his very last gig where, despite feeling unwell, he played as good as ever-ending with his usual thanks to all his musicians (always at his side was talented bass player and long time friend-Alan Morgan) wizard vibes player-Johnny Withers(on this occasion very ably on percussion) and his guest musician, supurlative guitarist-Jeff Green.
I shall never,ever (nor will other regular attendees of the jazz night) forget his final words, always................................well,that s your lot-s.d off and I ll see you all at my birthday party a week today?
It was never to be-he has gone, but left us a great legacy of recorded material both on CD and DVD.
He was a humble man but he knew well the respect he commanded.
I hope the club will continue and be known as the Ray Ward Appreciation Society.
We shall never forget him-I pray that, over the rainbow, he has found his pot of pure gold-he richly deserves it!
R.I.P Ray Ward.(73)
Jennifer Kersey.
