[Dixielandjazz] Ray Smith, RIP
Ron L'Herault
lherault at bu.edu
Sun Feb 28 17:01:17 PST 2010
I've just heard some very sad news over WGBH, Boston. Ray Smith, host of
the Jazz Decades and a fine drummer with many Boston area Jazz bands such as
his own, Paramount Jazz Band, passed away Friday. He was 87. I first heard
Ray over WKOX, Framingham, MA and then on WGBH. It was from Ray that I
first heard of the New Black Eagles, with whom he played when they began.
in 1969-70, I used to drive an hour on a Sunday night to hear the band he
was in at the Mail Coach Restaurant in Concord. It is thanks to Ray that I
met and have been lifelong friends with such local jazz greats as Jimmy
Mazzy, Scott Philbrick and the late Bill Batten. If it weren't for Ray, I
probably would not be playing traditional jazz/Dixieland today. It is
devastating news.
Ron L'Herault
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