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Gina
Rae is the 2nd eldest girl in Scotland’s
largest jazz family. She started playing French
Horn at the age of 12 and played in the West
Lothian County Orchestra until she was 17 and
became Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders brass
champion in 1984. She also sang with "
The Waverley Singers” choir from the age
of 14-16.
Also see: www.myspace.com/ginaraemusic |
Gina studied classical piano
from the age of 7 and reached grade 5 standard. She
also studied music at school to O’ level standard.
She went on to gain a National Certificate in practical
music at the Jewel and Esk Valley college in Edinburgh
in 1991.
Musical Experience:
• Played keyboards with Edinburgh
band "The kitchen Devils "
• Played penny whistle in band "Giant steppin’
staines" 1992-93 with John Rae,
Phil & Tom Bancroft, Kevin Murray, Sandy Wright,
Kevin Mackenzie and Tommy Smith. (Solo on Channel
4 documentary about the group)
• Played penny whistle, sang, composed and arranged
vocals with band
"Someotherland" with Sophie Bancroft, Sylvia
Rae, and Jim Sutherland.
The band headlined at Glen Uig Festival and Celtic
Connections 1993-94.
• Sang, played penny whistle, composed and arranged
for "Sophie Bancroft &
Gina Rae Duo/group” 1993-97. Whilst with this
band they featured at
Edinburgh Jazz and Folk festivals, Glasgow Jazz festival
and Leith Jazz festivals, Shetland Folk festival,
Edinburgh fringe, Big Fest Newcastle, and the "
Vortex in London, BBC Radio Scotland and Radio2 live
performances and broadcasts. Assembly Direct sponsored
tour, Scotland.
• Arranged and sang backing vocals for Carol
Kidd MBE.
• Signed to Columbia Records (Sony) 1997- 2000
with Sylvia Rae and Jim
Sutherland in "The Lanterns". Arranged all
vocals for debut album.
First single voted Radio 1 Record of the week, (Mark
& Lard Show). No 2 in the National Dance charts
with 2nd single. Played at T- in the park and various
highly
publicised gigs throughout the UK.
• Regularly performed and recorded with Scottish
Jazz funk band lead by Kevin Mackenzie "Swirler"
and modern jazz trio "Trio AAB".
• Arranged, sang and multitracked "Coventry
carol" for Caber Music Xmas
Compilation 2000.
• Teaching on the Fionna Duncan Vocal Jazz Workshops
from 2000 to present.
• Choir leader and arranger to Scotland’s
first amateur jazz choir on behalf of the Fionna Duncan
Vocal Jazz Workshops 2002 to present.
• Member of “The Rae Sisters” and
arranger.
Training
Attended the Fionna Duncan Vocal Jazz Workshop
in 1996 on their 5-day course in Glasgow. Studied
with Madeline Eastman from the USA.
Awarded Scholarship from Jazz
Camp West U.S.A in 2001 which was also Arts council
funded. Attended classes in Improvising, Singing over
changes, Gospel choir singing,, advanced a cappella
(contemporary jazz), arranging for a cappella singing.
Teaching Experience
2000 - Various F.D.V.J.W courses
2000 - Taught jazz vocals in Frydlant, Czech Republic,
annual Jazz course.
2001 - Stevenson Collage, Edinburgh. Tutor in vocals
including individual
and group singing for one term.
2001 - Frydland, Czech Republic. Solo vocal tutor
to 30 students. Teaching
vocal warm ups, group and individual singing, improvising
and choir
to performance level.
2002 - Director and arranger for the amateur Edinburgh
and Glasgow Jazz
choirs (only jazz choirs in Scotland).
2003 - Various F.D.V.J.W courses including 1 and 5-day.
Frydland summer jazz school in the Czech Republic
teaching vocals
With Fionna Duncan.
Current projects
• Teaching on FDVJW 1-day and 5-day workshops.
• Directing and writing arrangements for the Edinburgh and Glasgow Jazz choirs with performances to date at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, The Hub, Edinburgh Jazz festival 2003 and “Glasgay” at The Arches in Glasgow, supporting Claire Teal.
• Songwriting
• The Rae Sisters – vocal jazz group with jazz trio.
• Gina Rae / Sandy Wright duo.
