Ray Cole - In Memoriam

It is with great sadness that the band announce the death of Principal Cornet and Vice Chairman, Ray Cole.

Ray’s playing career started at the age of 8 yrs old with the Ellington Colliery Band, under the musical direction of his grandfather William Samuel Bond, a well-known and respected conductor and adjudicator who was, many years ago awarded the scroll of honour for services rendered to the brass band movement at the national finals at the Royal Albert Hall. After the death of his grandfather, Ray was taken under the wing of John R Carr, another well known and respected Conductor, Composer and Adjudicator; and joined the ranks of the famous Cowpen & Crofton Brass Band, eventually becoming principal cornet.

Ray’s musical career continued to flourish, becoming principal cornet of such famous bands as: Cowpen & Croften Colliery Band, Ashington Colliery Band, Harton & Westoe Colliery Band, Patchogue Plymouth Band, the Eve Ready band and the Northumbria Police Band.

At the age of 20, Ray enjoyed time as assistant principal cornet of the City of Coventry band as understudy to the principal cornet player Brian Clark, playing under the musical directorship of Albert Chapel.

During his banding lifetime, Ray played under the directorship of many fine professional conductors such as: Geoffrey Brand, Walter Hargreaves (the Wee Professor), Harry & Alex Mortimer, Eric Cunningham and David Hirst as well as many others.

Ray played alongside many well known and accomplished cornet players such as: Wilf Beddell, Cliff Sayers, Jim Shepherd, Alan Morrison and not forgetting Maurice Murphy.

Ray’s many prize-winning performances as a soloist throughout his musical career are too many to mention however, he became famous for his signature solo “Serenede in Mambo”, earning him the nickname “Mr Mambo”.

Ray stood down as principal cornet of Gateshead Brass to help nurture new players coming through the ranks, agreeing that it was great to sit back and see someone else sweat on the end seat for a change!

After a short retirement from Gateshead Brass, Ray was tempted back into the banding world, becoming the principal cornet of the Northumbrian Water Ellington Colliery Band where he stayed for a year or so, before once again transferring into the Championship Section with The Felling Band as Assistant Principal Cornet.

In September of 2009, Ray became one of the founding members of the Jayess Newbiggin Brass Band. Rays vast knowledge, passion and commitment has helped lay strong foundations with the Jayess Band, and through his invaluable involvement, has helped to create a new beginning in banding in the North East; something he was very passionate about.

Ray is a great loss to the band, and the banding scene within the North East, our thoughts are with his wife Gillian and his family at this sad time.

New Rehearsal Venue

The Jayess Newbiggin Brass Band are delighted to announce that they have obtained a new permanent base.

The band have secured rehearsal facilities at Newbiggin Leisure Centre.

The rehearsal nights are Mondays at 19:45 and Wednesdays at 19:30, in the Coquet Suite.

The Leisure Centre management and staff have been excellent in assisting the band in the move, and have been amazing in arranging storage facilities for instruments and music.

Band Manager Anthony Griffiths said: "The move to the Leisure Centre in the heart of the town is a good move for us! We are keen to maintain our focus on being in the communities eyes, and this location helps us to do just that. People often pop into rehearsals to have a listen, and the support we are receiving from the townspeople is overwhelming. People are happy that Newbiggin has its band back".

The band are currently working towards a series of summer concerts around the region, as well as a number of performances at Newbiggin Bandstand throughout the summer. A full list of engagements will appear on the website in due course.