Ray Warleigh...
the bandsthe musicianshome pagethe clubsthe recordstime linegallerydiscographiesodds + endslinks
Ray Warleigh...
Ray Warleigh was born in Sydney, Australia in September, 1938. After working in a dance band environment in Australia he moved to Britain in 1960 where he played in a number of bands including Eric Delaney and Alexis Korner. By the mid 1960s he was moving towards a jazz environment and in 1966 was in Chris Pyne's Sextet and began to work with Tubby Hayes.
After a brief return to Australia he joined Humphrey Lyttelton in 1968. From summer 1968 to early 1970 he was with Ronnie Scott's sextet, octet and big band.
The 1970s saw him working with Mike Gibbs, Mike Westbrook, Mick Pyne's quartet, Kenny Wheeler and others and again with Humphrey Lyttelton. During the 1980s and '90s he worked in Germany and with Tommy Chase, Stan Tracey, and in Kenny Wheeler's big band. He also led his own groups and freelanced.
Besides his jazz recording Warleigh worked at the very top end of the pop recording business with Elton John, Paul McCartney, Dusty Springfield and many others.
He made few albums as a leader but further details about his later albums are included in the discography below.

Selected discography:

Fat John Cox Sextet - December, 1963, (Pye Studios)
Chris Pyne (tb), Ray Warleigh (as,f), Tony Roberts (ts,f), Peter Lemer (p), Dabby Thompson (b), John Cox (d), Andy Azaria (perc).
How Can You Lose/Blues/Sister Sadie/Delilah/My Jelly Roll Soul/The Theme/Toccata/Watermelon Man/Whisper Not/Jubilation/Blues For Snorty/Fictive.
(Turtle Jazz CD - Fat John Sextet - Honesty)

Jam Session at The Hopbine - summer 1965
Ray Warleigh (as), Red Price (ts), Chris Pyne (tb), John Burch (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Alan Green (d).
Billie's Bounce/All The Things You Are/Alexander's Ragtime Band/Groovin' High.
(Acrobat CD - Jam Session at The Hopbine - Groovin' High)

Peter Comton Big Band - September 30th, 1965 (Sound of eleven - 77LEU12/14)
John Burnett, Dave Mowatt, Ian Fenby (tp), Mike Carroll (tb), Peter Ward (as,ts), Ray Warleigh (as-1), Keith Thomas, Art Themen (ts), Peter Comton (bs), Colin Parnell (p), Peter Hughes (b), Chuck Smith (d).
C Jam Blues*/Da Capo*/By Request (1)*/Clea*/Djinn (1)*/Sound Of Eleven*/Over The Rainbow (1)*/Mountolive And Balthazar (1)*/Nessim (unissued)/Tonk (unissued)/The Hard School (unissued) .
(*Progressive CD - Pete Comton Big Band/Pat Hawes)

The title below, recorded for a BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast, was taped on November 7th 1965 and broadcast on December 26th 1965. Recorded at the 27th annual "Jazz Jamboree" concert held at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in aid of the Musicians Social And Benevolent Council. Introduced By Humphrey Lyttelton and Tubby Hayes...
Tubby Hayes And The Commonwealth Big Band - November 7th, 1965
Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Hank Shaw, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, Johnny Marshall, Nat Peck, Chris Smith (tb), Ron Snyder (tu), Tubby Hayes (ts), Ray Swinfield, Ray Warleigh (as); Ronnie Scott, Art Ellefson (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Freddy Logan (b), Johnny Butts (d).
100% Proof

Over three sessions in 1965 and 1966 The Harry South Big Band recorded an LP with Georgie Fame and a star studded big band...
Harry South Big Band - Three sessions 1965 and 1966 (Sound Venture - Columbia SX6076)
Collective personnel: Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Jimmy Deuchar, Les Condon, Tony Fisher, Bert Courtley (tp), Kenny Wheeler (tp,ten-hrn), Keith Christie, Johnny Marshall, Chris Smith, Ken Goldie, Gib Wallace (tb), Roy Willox, Alan Branscombe (as), Tony Coe (as,f), Ray Warleigh (as,ts), Ronnie Scott, Dick Morrissey (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Jackie Sharpe (bs,ts,as,fl), Harry Klein (bs), Gordon Beck, Stan Tracey (p), Colin Green (g), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen, Bill Eyden (d), Georgie Fame, Harry South (ldr).
Many Happy Returns/Down for The Count/It's For Love the Petals Fall/I Am Missing You/Funny How Time Slips Away/Li'l Pony/Lovey Dovey/Little Darlin'/Three Blind Mice/Dawn Yawn/Feed Me/Papa's Got A Brand New Bag.

The titles below were recorded for a BBC radio broadcast "Jazz Goes to College" from the Queen Mary College, London, England. They were not broadcast until December 29th, 1966)...
Tubby Hayes Big Band - May 11th, 1966
Kenny Wheeler, Kenny Baker, Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Nat Peck, Chris Smith, Johnny Marshall (tb), Ray Warleigh, Roy Willox (as), Ronnie Scott, Bob Efford (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,vib,fl,arr), Ronnie Ross (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d).
Commonwealth Blues/Seven Steps To Heaven (arr TH)/Bluesology (arr TH)/A Night In Tunisia/Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most/Milestones (arr TH)/Commonwealth Blues.

Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - May 10th and 12th, 1966 (100% Proof - Fontana TL5410)
Kenny Baker, Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, Nat Peck, Johnny Marshall, Chris Smith (tb), Roy Willox, Ray Warleigh (as,fl), Ronnie Scott (ts,fl), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib), Bob Efford (ts,oboe,fl,b-cl), Ronnie Ross (bs,b-cl), Gordon Beck (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d).
Night In Tunisia*/Milestones*/Sonnymoon For Two*/Bluesology*.
(*Impressed Repressed CD - 100% Proof)

May 13th, 1966 (100% proof - Fontana TL5410)
Personnel as May 10th, 1966 except Harry Klein (bs) and Johnny Butts (d) replace Ronnie Ross and Ronnie Stephenson.
Nutty*/100% Proof*.
(*Impressed Repressed CD - 100% Proof)

Kenny Clare / Ronnie Stephenson Big Band - July 7th, 1966 (Drum spectacular - Columbia TWO146)
Greg Bowen, Bert Ezzard, Ian Hamer, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, John Edwards, Nat Peck (tb), Douggie Robinson, Ray Warleigh (as), Tony Coe, Tubby Hayes (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Alan Branscombe (p), Lennie Bush (b), Kenny Clare, Ronnie Stephenson (d).
Drum Boogie*/Just You, Just Me*/Big Noise From Winnetka*/South Rampart Street Parade*.
(*Vocalion CD - Big Band Spectacular / Drum Spectacular)

Kenny Clare / Ronnie Stephenson Big Band - August 11th, 1966 (Drum spectacular - Columbia TWO146)
Greg Bowen, Leon Calvert, Stan Roderick, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Laddie Busby, Nat Peck, Johnny Marshall (tb), Jackie Armstrong (b-tb), Douggie Robinson, Ray Warleigh (as), Art Ellefson, Ronnie Scott (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Lennie Bush (b), Kenny Clare, Ronnie Stephenson (d).
Drum Spectacular*/Caravan*/Portrait Of Elvin*/Talkin' About Drums*.
(*Vocalion CD - Big Band Spectacular / Drum Spectacular)

Terry Smith - August 22nd,1968 (Fall out - Philips SBL7871)
Terry Smith (g) acc by: Kenny Wheeler, Greg Bowen, Les Condon (tp), Don Lusher (tb), Ray Warleigh (f,as), Bob Efford (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Jim Lawless (vib), Ron Mathewson (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d), Denis Lopez (perc), Jimmy Deuchar (arr).
My Man's Gone Now*/I Love You*/Harry's Theme*/Early Morning Groove*/Fall Out*.
(*Sunbeam CD - Fall out)

A short lived octet that Ronnie Scott led for a few months in 1968 that many feel never reached it's full potential...
Ronnie Scott and the Band - October 25th and 26th, 1968 (Realm 52661, #also CBS 63742)
Realm LP titled "Live" at Ronnie Scott's.....CBS titled "Ten years at Ronnie Scott's".
Kenny Wheeler (tp,flhn), Chris Pyne (tb), Ray Warleigh (as,fl), Ronnie Scott (ts), John Surman (bs,sop), Gordon Beck (p,org), Ron Mathewson (b), Kenny Clare, Tony Oxley (d).
Ricorda Me#*/King Pete*/Second Question*/Marmasita*/Too Late, Too Late*#/Lord Of The Reedy River*/Macumba*/May Day*/Sweet Day*/Quiet Nights*/Hank's Tune*.
(*Sony CD - Live at Ronnie Scott's)

Terry Smith - October 28th,1968 (Fall out - Philips SBL7871)
Kenny Wheeler (tp,flhrn), Tony Fisher, Derek Watkins (tp), Don Lusher (tb), Roy Willox, Ray Warleigh (f,as), Bob Efford (ts), Gordon Beck (p), Jim Lawless (vib), Terry Smith (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d), Peter Aherne (perc), Harry South (arr).
Morning Minor*/The Look Of Love*/Windows Of The World*.
(*Sunbeam CD - Fall out)

When Scott Walker was at the peak of his British pop stardom in the late '60s, his label, Philips, gave him the chance to produce albums by other artists. He opted to record instrumental jazz albums by members of his band, including guitarist Terry Smith and saxophonist Ray Warleigh. Those familiar with Warleigh through his recordings with the likes of Alexis Korner, Nick Drake, Donovan, John Mayall, Charlie Watts, Mike Westbrook, and Gavin Bryars might be surprised to find this to be a big band-oriented outing with fairly lush orchestration. Warleigh does blow pretty soulfully and spontaneously, for one thing, and the swooping strings and gossamer flourishes of the orchestra are actually pretty seductive...
Ray Warleigh - November 26th, 1968 (First album - Philips SBL788)
Ray Warleigh (as), Gordon Beck (p), Dave Goldberg (g), Kenny Napper (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d), + string section.
The Look Of Love*/Dindi*/Once I Loved*/Lover Man*.
(*Sunbeam CD - Ray Warleigh's first album)

Ray Warleigh - December 13th, 1968 (First album - Philips SBL788)
Ray Warleigh (as), Gordon Beck (p), George Kish (g), Kenny Napper (b), Terry Cox (d), + string section.
'Round Midnight*/Last Night When We Were Young*/You're Gonna Hear From Me*/Someone To Light Up My Life*.
(*Sunbeam CD - Ray Warleigh's first album)

Humphrey Lyttelton and his Band - July 31st, 1969 (Duke Ellington Classics - Black Lion BLP12108)
Humphrey Lyttelton (tp), Chris Pyne (tb), Ray Warleigh (as,f), Tony Coe (cl,ts), Joe Temperley (bs), Eddie Harvey (p,tb), Dave Green (b), Tony Levin (d).
Things Ain't What They Used To Be/Mood Indigo/Unbooted Character/Drop Me Off At Harlem/Prelude To A Kiss/It Dont Mean A Thing/Cottontail (John Surman (bs) added for this title only).

This was Tubby Hayes' last BBC "Jazz Club" appearance leading his own group...
The Tubby Hayes Big Band - March 5th, 1973 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton, taped on March 5th 1973, broadcast on March 24th 1973)
Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Leon Calvert (tp), Kenny Wheeler (tp,flh), Cliff Hardie, Chris Pyne, Geoff Perkins (tb), Ray Warleigh, Ronnie Scott, Brian Smith, Bunny Gould (saxes and woodwind), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Alan Branscombe (as,el-p,perc), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b,el-b), Spike Wells (d).
She Insulted Me In Marrakesh/Solweig/Basin Street Blues/Sienna Red. On May 9th, 1974 The Humphrey Lyttelton band recorded a live concert at Lutjensee (near Hamburg) for the German Happy Bird label. The band comprised: Humphrey Lyttelton (tp), Chris Pyne (tb), Ray Warleigh (as), Tony Coe (ts), Joe Temperley (bs), Eddie Harvey (p), Dave Green (b), Tony Levin (d). The resulting record was not released in the UK...

Tommy Chase / Ray Warleigh Quartet - June 27th, 1978 (One Way - Spotlite SPJ510)
Jon Eardley (tp) Ray Warleigh (as), John Burch (p), Danny Padmore (b), Tommy Chase (d).
Chasin' The Bimpt/Like Someone In Love/What's New?.
(Spotlite CD - One Way)

Tommy Chase / Ray Warleigh Quartet - October 18th, 1978 (One Way - Spotlite SPJ510)
Ray Warleigh (as), John Burch (p), Danny Padmore (b), Tommy Chase (d).
I Remember You/Stars Fell On Alabama/Speak Low.
(Spotlite CD - One Way)

Ray Warleigh Quartet - November 17th, 1977 (Reverie - Vinyl VS106)
Ray Warleigh (as,cl,fl,sop), John Taylor (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Frank Gibson (d).
Reverie/Pan/Storm/All On A Summer's Afternoon/Opus No. 80.

John Fordham writing in The Guardian: "An expat Australian alto saxist and flautist, Ray Warleigh brought a unique touch to every venture he played on from the 60s on, and had a successful 30-year career that partnered him with Dusty Springfield, Marianne Faithfull, Scott Walker and Stevie Wonder, among others. These duo improvisations with free-jazz drummer Tony Marsh were caught with a single microphone on a minidisc in a Paris apartment in 2004. The session spans Warleigh's dazzling range of sound and melody, from the Lee Konitz-like Blues "And", to the harder "Nothing But" and the heartfelt reverberations of the only standard, "I Fall in Love Too Easily". The three flute pieces - airy, sometimes tremulous, dramatic, lyrical yet melodically decisive - are delectable. They are, as the Guardian's Richard Williams remarks in the notes, among the greatest strengths of an impromptu session by a barely known master improviser. Marsh's drumming balances strength with sensitivity, and the recording is remarkably good..."...
Ray Warleigh - 2004, recorded in Paris (Rue Victor Masse - PSI CD)
Ray Warleigh (as,f), Tony Marsh (perc).
(*PSI CD - Rue Victor Masse)

Evan Parker / Ray Warleigh - January 15th, 2006 (Life of dreams - Rare Music CD RM036)
Ray Warleigh (as,f), Evan Parker, Paul Dunmall (sop,ts), Tony Levin (d).
One Sooner/Been Here Before/Dark Age, Light Age/Life Of Dreams/Barriers Of Time/The Word Game/From The First.


This page was last updated during June, 2019.
Any comments welcomed, please click on email below...