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Steve Race
Stephen Russell Race[
] Order of the British Empire|OBE (1 April 1921 – 22 June 2009[>Spencer Leigh "Steve Race: Musician and broadcaster best known for his association with the programme 'My Music'", ''The Independent'', 24 June 2009] He was educated (1932–37) at Lincoln Christ's Hospital School|Lincoln School, 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.
Early career
He joined the Royal Air Force 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.
Presenter
From the 1950s to the 1980s he presented countless music programmes on radio and television. Additionally, in 1955, he was appointed the first Light Music Advisor to the early ITV|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 (broadcaster)|William Hardcastle) the BBC Radio 4 "drive-time" news magazine ''PM (Radio 4)|PM''.
Composer
As a composer, he produced a number of pieces in the classical music|classical, jazz and popular idioms. 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 number 29 in the charts 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.
Race is survived by his second wife and daughter from his first marriage.
References
*
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
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- Steve Race – Daily Telegraph obituary
- Lasting Tribute – Online obituary UK
Category:1921 births
Category:2009 deaths
Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Music
Category:Classical music radio personnel
Category:English game show hosts
Category:English pianists
Category:English radio presenters
Category:English television presenters
Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Category:People from Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War II
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Sources: StartLearningNow, Wikipedia | Usage license: GNU FDL
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