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Ray Eveleigh was born in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales. For his B.Sc. degree he studied Physics and Mathematics at the University of Wales and also studied Music at the College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. His professional career has been mostly spent teaching and lecturing in Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. He worked for three years as a Mathematical Programmer with the Atomic Power Division of English Electric in the 1960's, when he became an Associate Member of the Institute of Nuclear Engineers.
He was ordained as a Priest in the Anglican Church in 1977. He studied Theology at the University of Hull where he was awarded an MA. He is also a trained Counsellor. His music is his ministry. He is also an accomplished Snooker player! Throughout his life he has been involved in music making of various kinds, ranging from accompanying his wife, Brenda Kirk, to playing in Jazz Clubs and Restaurants. Rev-Ray has written a Jazz Course which is taught in the UK and the USA. He has travelled to many parts of the world and has played in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and the USA. His favourite pianists are Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Keith Jarret. In 1983 RevRay met Harry 'Sweets ' Edison' whilst playing in bar in Newhope, Pennsylvania. To learn more of this meeting click here.
Brenda Kirk (Eveleigh) is Yorkshire born and proud of it but chose to study music in Gwlad y Gan (the Land of Song) where she first met RevRay. She is seen here performing at 'Cafe Classics' in Pennsylvania.
Brenda began her professional career in TV, Radio and the concert platform in South Wales and the West of England, making regular appearances in ITV's 'Land of Song' with Ivor Emmanuel. She gave Leider Recitals (Brahms being a favourite) and Oratorio (her repertoire included the Fauré, Brahms and Verdi Requiems). She says she married RevRay because she needed a good accompanist (she also just happened to love the guy!) In recent years she has made the transition from Classical to Jazz with ease. She now specialises in Jazz/Blues singing in Jazz clubs and various functions and concerts in England and the USA.... and she is loving every minute of it! Brenda's favourite singers are Ella Fitzgerald, Ian Shaw, Eva Cassidy, Janet Baker and Thomas Hanson.... all singers excelling in their different art form.
As a young Mum, Brenda continued studies and became a qualified teacher of Religious Education, becoming Head of R.E. Department at a Senior High School. After ten years she was seconded for a year to B.B.C. Radio Humberside's Education Department. At the end of this time she resigned her teaching post and for several years she was a freelance producer/presenter, with her own programme called 'Contact'. As a guest preacher for two local Methodist Circuits, Chair of School Governors and member of the York Diocesan Synod, life was very busy until she and Raymond left the city to live on the Wolds of East Yorkshire.... an area of great natural beauty.
Brenda and Raymond have two children, Richard and Jenny. Richard, who is a swinging bassist moved to America from England in 2000, and now lives with his wife Chris in Colorado. He practised as a Gestalt psychotherapist in England for several years and studied at the Metanoia Institute in London. He is now working in Denver.
Jenny is a professional musician, also in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, where she has her own music studio. A link to her website can be found on the menu bar to the left.
Pete Robinson (drums) and Dave Millener (bass) are both from Hull and are well known jazz musicians in the East Yorkshire region.
RevRay and Brenda recorded their first CD (Sophisticated Sounds) in March 2000 at POWERSTAGE STUDIOS. On that occasion they were joined by Brian Ward (drums) and Bob Malinovski (bass).
Their next CD (Swinging at The Hall) was also recorded by POWERSTAGE STUDIOS at a live concert at Burton Agnes Hall, in East Yorkshire in March 2002. On this occasion Dave Millener played bass and Pete Robinson provided the percussion.
