Steve Race

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23.06.2009 : Ray Drinkwater wrote Such an educated and talented man. I only knew him from My Music and was not aware of his early career in jazz. He will be missed. Rest in Peace.
23.06.2009 : Avril Gamble wrote In 1953, at the age of 15, I was auditioned by Steve Race at a studio somewhere in London, with a view to becoming a singer. I sang "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered". Sadly, I was not good enough, but Steve was charming, kind and encouraging and I still have the telegram he sent me to say I needed more experience. My claim to fame is that I once sang a song accompanied by Steve Race at the piano!
23.06.2009 : Penny Lang wrote In the late 60s (as Penny Watson) I worked with Steve's wife 'Lonny' Mather in the Gramophone Programme Department at BBC Radio's Egton House. Lonny was a Producer and with Steve worked on the programme Jazz Record Requests for the World Service. Steve was a kind, gentle man, very considerate to all around him. I always thought he was most unlike a jazz player, but his knowledge on the subject knew no bounds.
23.06.2009 : barrie barrie@betsyfield.fsnet.com.uk wrote Steve Race released an'LP' in 1966, which immediately took it's place among the 'rock' albums of the day! (on my shelf anyway)
Released on the EMI 'Studio 2' label it was a truly oddball collection, containing his signature tune, the haunting 'Faraway Music', current hits such as the 'Stones, Lady Jane, and adapted classics like Ravel's Pavane.
Ronald Binge's beautiful 'Like old Times' featured on the B side, a track that was even released as a single!
Nicola, a minor hit, and once I think, recorded by the King Brothers, ended the album, fittingly, for Nicola was dedicated to his daughter!
Just this one great set of tunes endeared him to me, and maybe now to mark his sad death, EMI will issue a collection of his sadly neglected recordings. I'd certainly be in line to buy it!
Steve went on to compare' My Music' a gently humorous panel game that went on for years. I rarely missed an episode.
Whatever he did, his ability as a musician and a lovely English gentleman always shone through, sadly missed!
24.06.2009 : Ian Neilson wrote I've always admired Steve Race so much, such a talented man. Thank goodness for the bbc transcription service. As a brit living in australia i can still listen to Steve & co on My Music every week. It's wonderful to think it's still listened to all over the world.
They still broadcast Many a Slip now & again. I enjoyed your bit the most Steve.
It's always sad when someone you listen too regularly, passes away, Clement Freud & Humphry Lyttelton as well, but they don't really go far as i'm sure they'll be heard for many years to come, certainly me for one.
Steve used to like telling everyone stories or remarks from listeners and i enjoy his story telling. One was about an Abbott who would chant to the assembled gentlemen 'Morning' every morning. And they would chant back 'Morning'. And one morning he chanted 'Morning' and they all chanted 'morning' except that he heard one little voice chant 'Evening'. And the Abbott chanted back 'Someone chanted Evening'.
Thanks Steve.
24.06.2009 : Christopher Byerley wrote So sad to hear that Steve Race has passed away. I well remember him in the audience of our school concert in about 1954. I played the first movement of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik on the recorder after which he congratulated me and told me to continue with my music. Regretfully I didn’t but I never forgot the interest he showed me. He visited the school on several other occasions as Nicola his daughter was in my class year. A really nice man and of course a great musician, broadcaster and composer. RIP Steve
24.06.2009 : Keir Polyblank wrote With at least 35 years as a Television Sound Supervisor long behind me, most of the musical quiz shows I worked on have faded into a soporific rallentando, But I can truthfully say that those that Steve compared at Southern Television, probably in the mid sixties, have remained as sharp icons of how to be the perfect tv host with just the right amount of humility towards guests and crew. My, how times have changed!
Steve Race