Steve Race
Encyclopedia
Stephen Russell Race OBE (1 April 192122 June 2009) was a British
composer
, pianist
and radio
and television presenter.
, where he formed his first jazz band, which included a young Neville Marriner
, later a major figure in the world of classical music. At sixteen, he attended the Royal Academy of Music
, studying composition under Harry Farjeon
and William Alwyn
.
in 1941, and formed a jazz/dance band quintet
. After World War II
he began a long and productive career with the BBC
, where his ready wit, musicianship and broad musical knowledge made him much sought after as a musical accompanist for panel games and magazine shows, such as Whirligig and Many a Slip
. In 1949 his jazz group recorded the first British bebop
records.
and television
. Additionally, in 1955, he was appointed the first Light Music Advisor to the early independent television company
Associated-Rediffusion
. He is probably best known as the chairman of the long-running light-hearted radio and TV panel game
My Music from 1967 to 1994. He presented and wrote most of the questions for all 520 episodes broadcast. Away from music, for two years from 1970 Race co-presented (with William Hardcastle
) the BBC Radio 4
"drive-time" news magazine PM
.
, jazz
and popular idioms. It is likely that the composer of light Latin American dance tunes known as "Esteban Cera" was Steve hiding behind a subtle pseudonym. One of his better-known compositions is the short melodic piano instrumental "Nicola" (named after his daughter). His catchy "Pied Piper (The Beeje)" was also popular and reached #29 in the UK Singles Chart
in March 1963, but his best-known and, according to his autobiography, his most lucrative composition is his music for the Birds Eye
frozen peas jingle
, "Sweet as the moment when the pod went pop".
His autobiography, Musician at Large, was published in 1979, and in 1988 Souvenir Press Ltd published Race's book about his Grandfather's short but interesting life, from lead miner to missionary, entitled "The Two Worlds of Joseph Race"
Race was survived by his second wife and daughter from his first marriage.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television presenter.
Biography
Born in Lincoln, the son of a lawyer, Race learned the piano from the age of five. He was educated (1932–37) at Lincoln SchoolLincoln Christ's Hospital School
Lincoln Christ's Hospital School is a state comprehensive school for 11-18 year olds located on Wragby Road in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.-Admissions:Its student population is just under 1400, including over 300 in the sixth form...
, where he formed his first jazz band, which included a young Neville Marriner
Neville Marriner
Sir Neville Marriner is an English conductor and violinist.-Biography:Marriner was born in Lincoln and studied at the Royal College of Music and the Paris Conservatoire. He played the violin in the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Martin String Quartet and London Symphony Orchestra, playing with the...
, later a major figure in the world of classical music. At sixteen, he attended the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, studying composition under Harry Farjeon
Harry Farjeon
Harry Farjeon was a British composer.He was born in Hohokus, New Jersey, USA, the eldest son of Jewish author Benjamin Farjeon, and Margaret, the daughter of American actor Joseph Jefferson. His parents returned to Britain when he was a baby and he lived in Hampstead in London for the rest of his...
and William Alwyn
William Alwyn
William Alwyn, CBE, born William Alwyn Smith was an English composer, conductor, and music teacher.-Life and music:...
.
Early career
He joined the Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in 1941, and formed a jazz/dance band quintet
Quintet
A quintet is a group containing five members.It is commonly associated with musical groups, such as a string quintet, or a group of five singers, but can be applied to any situation where five similar or related objects are considered a single unit....
. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he began a long and productive career with the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, where his ready wit, musicianship and broad musical knowledge made him much sought after as a musical accompanist for panel games and magazine shows, such as Whirligig and Many a Slip
Many a Slip
Many a Slip was a BBC Radio 4 panel game created by Ian Messiter that ran from 1964 to 1979. It was chaired by Roy Plomley, with a musical mistakes round supplied by musician Steve Race....
. In 1949 his jazz group recorded the first British bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
records.
Presenter
From the 1950s to the 1980s he presented countless music programmes on radioRadio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
. Additionally, in 1955, he was appointed the first Light Music Advisor to the early independent television company
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
Associated-Rediffusion
Associated-Rediffusion
Associated-Rediffusion, later Rediffusion, London, was the British ITV contractor for London and parts of the surrounding counties, on weekdays between 1954 and 29 July 1968. Transmissions started on 22 September 1955.-Formation:...
. He is probably best known as the chairman of the long-running light-hearted radio and TV panel game
Panel game
A panel game or panel show is a radio or television game show in which a panel of celebrities participates. Panelists may compete with each other, such as on The News Quiz; facilitate play by guest contestants, such as on Match Game/Blankety Blank; or do both, such as on Wait Wait.....
My Music from 1967 to 1994. He presented and wrote most of the questions for all 520 episodes broadcast. Away from music, for two years from 1970 Race co-presented (with William Hardcastle
William Hardcastle (broadcaster)
William Hardcastle was a British journalist, editor of the Daily Mail and first presenter of the lunchtime news programme The World at One on BBC Radio....
) the BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
"drive-time" news magazine PM
PM (Radio 4)
PM, sometimes referred to as the PM programme to avoid ambiguity, is BBC Radio 4's long-running early evening news and current affairs programme.-Broadcast times:...
.
Composer
As a composer, he produced a number of pieces in the classicalClassical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and popular idioms. It is likely that the composer of light Latin American dance tunes known as "Esteban Cera" was Steve hiding behind a subtle pseudonym. One of his better-known compositions is the short melodic piano instrumental "Nicola" (named after his daughter). His catchy "Pied Piper (The Beeje)" was also popular and reached #29 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in March 1963, but his best-known and, according to his autobiography, his most lucrative composition is his music for the Birds Eye
Birds Eye
__FORCETOC__Birds Eye is an international brand of frozen foods owned by Pinnacle Foods in North America and by private equity group Permira in Europe....
frozen peas jingle
Jingle
A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
, "Sweet as the moment when the pod went pop".
His autobiography, Musician at Large, was published in 1979, and in 1988 Souvenir Press Ltd published Race's book about his Grandfather's short but interesting life, from lead miner to missionary, entitled "The Two Worlds of Joseph Race"
Race was survived by his second wife and daughter from his first marriage.
Publications
- Piano-Style: A Complete Guide for the Modern Dance Band Pianist by Steve Race (sheet music – 1949)
- Musician at Large by Steve Race (1979)
- The King's Singers: A Self Portrait by Steve Race, Nigel Perrin and The King's Singers (1980)
- My Music by Steve Race (1980)
- Music Quiz by Steve Race, Weidenfeld quiz books (1983)
- Dear Music Lover by Steve Race (hardcover – 1981)
External links
- Steve Race – Daily Telegraph obituary
- Lasting Tribute – Online obituary UK