A native of Australia, alto saxophonist and flutist lived in Britain beginning in 1960. In his youth, studied music and developed an interest in jazz; his first model on alto was . He began playing professionally in the late '50s. After moving to England, he first played with blues musician and later with such British jazz luminaries as , , , and . recorded his first album as leader — aptly titled Ray Warleigh's First Album (Philips) — in 1968. From the '60s on, was an active freelancer in Britain, contributing to countless recordings by such artists as , , , , and , to name just a few. also kept his foot in jazz and experimental waters; in the '70s he played with drummer ' and worked with and guitarist , among others. He played in the West German Radio Orchestra and in ' drummer ' big band in the '80s, and recorded with flugelhornist and classical composer for the label in the '90s. Despite 's decades-long involvement in a wide variety of performing and recording settings, he wouldn't release his second album as a leader, Rue Victor Massé, an improvisational jazz outing that paired him with drummer , until 2008. died of cancer in September 2015 at the age of 76. ~ Chris Kelsey

Ray Warleigh

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