Laurence Jay

Laurence with his lute - Wigtown 2009-

with The Galloway Consort

We are so sorry to note the death of our friend and fellow musician, Laurence Jay,

who died on 17th October 2011. 

We met Laurence around 1986 at a Hobbies Exhibition in Dumfries where Richard was exhibiting with a view to recruiting adult pupils for his instrument making classes. Laurence didn't want to make an instrument but he did want to play with us. He first performed with The Galloway Consort at MacLellans Castle in Kirkcudbright and last at Blackwells Bookshop in Edinburgh this spring. Between these times we have shared music, friendship, much laughter and many lunches. As well as the lutes he played vihuela, recorders, crumhorns and percussion in concerts with us, bringing musical intelligence and integrity to all of them. His mock rivalry with Richard - the refined lute versus the earthy guitar - was the source of many jokes on and off-stage, but the two instruments together often provided a sparkle to the dance music we played.  We will miss his gentle presence.

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Saturday 1st October 4.00 pm : Wigtown Parish Church - part of the Wigtown Book Festival - 'Toutes Les Nuits' - renaissance music for viols, recorders, renaissance guitar and voice invoking the intimacy of the chamber.  

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Always great when they have to fetch more chairs for a performance - we did a lovely little concert at Blackwells Bookshop in Edinburgh on May 15th - Adriana singing, Laurence on lute and recorders, Vickie on viols, Richard and Vivien on viols and recorders. The first floor of this caverous bookshop is very well suited to acoustic music and they are organising a series through Alison Tollick, who is the new Chair of The Early Music Forum of Scotland.

Diary of performances for 2010 :

Saturday 16th October 7.30 : Gordon Memorial Hall. Castle Douglas.

'Il Primo Libro'  music from early printed sources.

Wigtown Book Festival 2010 : Saturday 2nd October at Midday in Wigtown Parish Church, our new programme - 'Il Primo Libro' - music from early printed sources.