Another Great Artist, Another Great Friend
I can hear Eyarb (Braye spelled backwards) now…pushing whoever is on the bandstand with him to new heights! Sometimes that person was me. I met Bob Braye in the late 70’s and we became quick friends, from the Loft Jazz days, to playing in the same band with Pharoah Sanders or Ed Kelly. Bob would always remind me of the gig we did with Pharoah in the middle of Macys’ Department Store in downtown San Francisco, and how we had stopped traffic that day!
Calvin Keys and Bob were bandmates. They had what I consider to be a quintessential “keeper of the flame” band in the Bay Area! I have very fond memories of performing, listening and hanging out with “Eyarb.” he was a force in the music and a protector of the integrity of the music. He didn’t suffer half hearted attempts at playing “the music.” Well…there are many stories of Bob going off on one musician or another down through the years.
One of my most memorable moments with Bob was when he came over to my house more than ten years ago and listened to one of my just-recorded first recordings, “Level of Intent.” His compliments of my music expanded my spirit that day. He praised it loud and long and I knew that was a moment to remember because Bob didn’t pass out empty accolades. In fact on my very first CD, with Theresa records, he very succinctly asked how I got a CD out before him!
I cherish my memories of the time spent performing, hanging with, and listening to Bob Braye. I learned a great deal and grew as a performing artist, just being around him. If I had to remember one thing about Bob it would be his tremendous passion for ”the music!” He gave no quarter on the bandstand! You had better come ready to play when you got on the bandstand with him.
I shall carry Bob Braye in my heart now to reside with other great friends that have gone on to become Ancestors. It seems that I am seeing a whole generation of greats pass in front of my eyes. It informs me that every note I play has to be “hope to die!” I play them in great joy and in the honor of those that have gone before me. Bob Braye fed and nourished my artistry while he was alive and he will continue to do so in his death, as I will always call to him!
6 responses so far ↓
1 Ralph LaCharity // Apr 16, 2007 at 10:11 am
Please remind the folks that from 10AM til 10PM on Sunday, 22 April 07,
there will be a Celebration for Bob’s spirit, with his family and friends,
musicians and poets, at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, at
1616 Franklin St (close to BART) in downtown Oakland.
All proceeds from this day-long event will go to the Bob Braye Scholarship
Fund at the Conservatory.
-Ralph (formerly the house poet with Bob’s Peace & Rhythm band in Hawaii)
2 Listen & Be Heard » Blog Archive » Remembering Bob Braye // Apr 18, 2007 at 1:13 pm
[...] New comment on your post #1459 “Remembering Bob Braye“ Author : Ralph LaCharity [...]
3 Aileen Penn // Jan 17, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Just wanted to say thank you for writing such wonderful things about my father. But the best is yet to come I am putting together a Fundraiser in the memory of my dad in April 2008. Anyone interested in helping me plan this event can reach me at my email address aileempenn@yahoo.com, looking forward to see everyone that cared aboutmy day there. Please pass the word along so that i can make this event a very special one.
Thank,
Aileen
4 sandor moss // Sep 3, 2008 at 8:03 pm
hi aileen it;s sandor. hope all is well and just wanted to say how blessed i was to have such a mentor as uncle bebop!! i;ll never forget him and will always try to emulate his style. PEACE AND LOVE FOREVER AND EVER.OH GOD!!
5 LeRoy Montana // Sep 15, 2008 at 9:01 pm
i met bob in the 70s on the big island of Hawaii…
he was in my band… we played wierd stuff that
i wrote… he was wonderfully unusual… this is
the first i’ve heard he’s gone… when we played my first song together, he got up from his drums and walked over to me and said – i gotta shake
you hand… i dont know what the fuck you did
with that time change… neither did i… i was lucky to have him play with me…
6 Barbara Blumlo // Oct 10, 2009 at 11:42 am
My children and I were loft neighbors of your father’s. I am so sorry that he has passed. I remember how kind he was to my young son whose father was absent. His music was great and he as a kind person. I photographed his concert in Berkley with Chuck Metcalf. The photos have been lost but not the memories.
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