John Rae is a drummer and composer. Born in Edinburgh on the 8th June 1966, John is the fourth youngest member of the Rae family and since winning the Most Promising Drummer Of The Year at the 1984 Edinburgh International Jazz Festival he has been one of the most in demand and sought after musicians in the UK.

He recorded his first album at the age of sixteen with the Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith and has subsequently recorded with many artists. As a leader he has recorded ' The Big If Smiles Again' and two 'Celtic Feet' CDs which received widespread critical acclaim. He has played at festivals around the world including the Toronto Jazz Festival, St. Petersburg White Night Festival, Festival de Jazz de Las Palmas, Karlovivare International Jazz Festival and the Barbados Celtic Festival and has toured extensively in the UK and Europe with his own groups as well as Canada and Eastern Europe with artists such as Tal Farlow, Joe Levano, Lee Konitz, Ingrid Jenson, George Connigan, Maria Schnider, Tony Scott, Charles MacPherson, Art Farmer, Buddy de Franco, Red Rodney , Pete King, Scott Hamilton, Barney Kessel, Kenny Whealer, Martin Taylor, Tommy Smith and Pepe Torres.

Formerly the drummer with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and one of the founding members of the Scottish Composer's Jazz Ensemble, he is presently the leader and composer for the John Rae Collective, The Power of Scotland Big-Band, John Rae's Celtic Feet and John Rae’s Big Feet (which includes the Islay pipe band). He is also a prominent member of BBC Jazz award winning band The Brian Kellock Trio.

As a composer John contributes music for television, radio, commissions for large and small ensembles and his unique group the Celtic Composers Collective.