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Roy Reynolds Obituary
REYNOLDS, Roy Passed away peacefully on November 28th at home with his beloved partner of 16 years, Val Turner, by his side. Roy was born in Birmingham. England, Aug. 11, 1929. His lifelong musical career began in the military with Britain's Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), Canada's Lord Strathcona's Horse and Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He became a legend in the jazz world with his own distinctive, swinging sounds from his wailing clarinet at Dixieland Jazz Festivals to his brilliant improvisational solos on sax with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Roy was a member of the local Hampton Orchestra and C & PO's Band. He was an avid soccer fan and enjoyed walking his dog along the beach, reading, and volunteer driving. Appreciation goes to his doctors and VIHA's Home Care team. He is survived by his daughter Lynda in Spain, grand-daughter Amy in UK, cousins Barrie (Ann) Wall, Adam, Sara (Pete)Williams, Emma and Sophie in Gibsons, BC. Donations may be made to the Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre or the Red Cross. A private service with close friends will be held at Sequoia Garden Chapel, on Friday, Dec.3 at 10 am, followed by cremation. A Celebration of Life will be arranged at a later date. 611641
Memories and Condolences
for Roy Reynolds
24 Entries
Stella Walker
December 18, 2022
Thinking of Roy Reynolds tonight while listening to a Stan Kenton recording. My father, drummer Mickey Walker was a contemporary of Roy's. Roy was always so warm when we chatted. I will never forget his rendition of "But Beautiful". He owns that song. My condolences to his family, friends, and associates. I can still hear his warm tone.
Kristine Mendoza Trottman
October 18, 2012
Hello Val and Roy's family.
Roy played in my dads bands in the 1950's.I have old photos I would love to share with you.My dad's name was Eddie Mendoza.Both dad and mum spoke often of Roy with great affection,and of his great musical talent.
Tim Coombs
March 12, 2012
Hi There
I am sorry for not writing sooner. I only found out last night that Roy had passed away. I am very sorry for your loss.
When I was 6 in 1967 my dad came home with two instruments: a trumpet and a clarinet. My brother got to the door before me and chose the trumpet. My dad handed me the clarinet and I sort of thought it was not quite as cool as the trumpet but I thanked him anyway. A few days later my dad took me and my brother to a new music school that had opened up in an old house on Merivale Road. That was when I was introduced to my clarinet teacher. His name was Roy Reynolds and he was a clarinet player for the Central Band.
As a six year old I remember him to be funny and very patient. I remember laughing when he played the piccolo for me, or playing tunes on the clarinet without blowing into it. I took lessons with him for about three years until we moved away.
My Dad developed a friendship with Roy and kept in touch over the years. We moved back to the Ottawa area. I started playing sax at the age of 13. And when Roy was home from playing with Stan Kenton, I would have a few lessons.
We lost touch with Roy when we moved again but I have always had fond memories. I still play sax and clarinet.
Tim Coombs (Aylmer Que.)
Allan Robinson
January 31, 2012
So sorry to hear of Roy's passing, we worked together in the Ken Mackintosh band in the early 60s. He was a fantastic musician.RIP.
Ian Rowland
January 26, 2011
Roy was a wonderful man..I followed him as a jazz fan all over Vancouver..When jazz fans knew he had a venue they made a special effort to be there--his following was great..The gigs at Annabelles were magical and in the 80s everyone was dressed up..The jazz was superb..I loved his polka dots and moonbeams on his album.plus green dolphin st..I always bought him a pint, being English myself we got on great together..His legacy still lives because the Thurs anoon crowd still get together at the Fairview on broadway, Vancr...Many of his fans still go there to listen to Roys style of music still played there..He would to this day still recognised lots of his old fans...Roy was a one off kind of man and the dear Lord broke the mould when he created Roy..He will always be remembered..I wish I had his LP because I wore mine out ..I phoned the CBC who made the LP and they told me they had no more.....Roy.!!..the jazz world is emptier without you...!!
Tom and Kelly Orr-Loney
December 19, 2010
We were very sorry to hear of Roy's passing. He left a legacy of music that will stay with many people forever. You are in our thoughts, Val.
Tom and Kelly
December 9, 2010
I was very sad and sorry to learn of Mr. Reynold's death. I didn't know him well but followed him around in Vancouver in the 1980s - Hot Jazz, Annabelle's etc.
When our third son died in 1987 I asked Roy if he would play for the funeral which was held at the Quaker Hall in Vancouver. He and Oliver Gannon and Ken Lister and played wonderfully and fittingly. I particularly remember Roy's solo on
" In My Solitude". It was, in a word, perfect.
He told me later that while he had played many types gigs he had never played a funeral before and that the acoustics, unamplified, at the Quaker Hall were outstanding.
A great and kind and generous man.
Please accept the condolences of my family and I.
Berry Tibbitt
Berry Tibbitt
December 9, 2010
I was very sad and sorry to learn of Mr. Reynold's death. I didn't know him well but followed him around in Vancouver in the 1980s - Hot Jazz, Annabelle's etc.
When our third son died in 1987 I asked Roy if he would play for the funeral which was held at the Quaker Hall in Vancouver. He and Oliver Gannon and Ken Lister and played wonderfully and fittingly. I particularly remember Roy's solo on
" In My Solitude". It was, in a word, perfect.
He told me later that while he had played many types gigs he had never played a funeral before and that the acoustics, unamplified, at the Quaker Hall were outstanding.
A great and kind and generous man.
Please accept the condolences of my family and I.
Berry Tibbitt
December 6, 2010
Val, I am so sorry for your loss. May special memories of your journey with Roy help bring you some comfort in these sad days. You are in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. Love Sharon Burgess
December 5, 2010
So many happy memories of dear cousin Roy, gone but never forgotten. Rest in Peace Roy. Cousins Marg & Derek, Alan & Christine (UK)
David Ayton
December 4, 2010
I had the pleasure(and privilege)of playing with Roy in the early nineties in Ottawa. His exciting clarinet and rapturous sax playing an inspiration to all of us.His courage in managing his increasing deafness an example.
December 3, 2010
I'm so sorry to hear of Roy's Passing. I was a young musician with the LDSH Military band in Calgary when Roy was sent to us. What a treat. He took me under his wing and made me both a better musician and a better person. Thank you Roy, For everything.
Bob Mallalieu, Calgary, AB
Allan Scott
December 3, 2010
A sad day when Roy passed away. I was never a close friend, but our paths kept crossing
It was 1958. I was playing in Jersey in the Channel islands and our leader kept talking about this wonderful tenor sax man playing a few hotels away. However, due to our work schedules coinciding I never did hear him perform. Then in 1962 I was with the RCAF Band playing at the Opera house during the Seattle World’s Fair, the band to follow us was Stan Kenton. As we began to leave the stage I heard this strong Birmingham accent, I looked over and saw Roy Bari-Sax in hand working his way onto the stage.
I asked a trumpet player who that was, “That’s Roy Reynolds, a great sax-man and he’s from England.” “I would never have known,” I laughed. We could only stay for part of the concert but it was a unanimous agreement, he was a great sax-man.
Moving to Victoria in 1975 I kept hearing his name again, mainly performing in Vancouver. Eventually whilst playing at Mcmorrons who is booked as a sub but Roy. What a pleasure it was to hear him again after all these years.
Lastly in March 2000 Roy phoned and asked if I would like to play at the Cordova Express restaurant, Saturday nights but Latin music only. I always loved Latin music and many years ago had played with a Latin band in London. Now it was just a trio Roy, Rob and myself. And being me, I felt what the trio needed was a little organisation. Such as a program of the music titles, keys and type of rhythm. What I didn’t know, was that Roy really didn’t like being organised. I printed out the list and gave Roy and Rob a copy and felt this would produce a more flowing and sequential performance.
However the next Saturday, Roy admitted he had forgotten his list, the next Saturday he forgot his glasses and the print was too small. So being slow on the uptake, for next Saturday I produced a list with much larger font. I watched Roy unpack his sax and Clarinet, “the list,” I hopefully reminded him. Roy looked up, “sorry about that,” he looked quite apologetic. “The dog ate it.”
Now Roy....St. Peter likes dogs and if that wasn’t true, you may have to climb over the Pearly Gate!
Andy Mackintosh
December 3, 2010
I knew Roy since I was about ten years old. He was a fantastic Sax player! I learned a lot from him. He was in my Fathers Band (Ken Mackintosh) in the early sixties. I know my Father loved him a lot. Could go on, but I'd better not. Am including a picture of my Dad, Me and my Son.
Love to Val, family and friends. Miss you Roy!
Allan F Scott
December 3, 2010
A sad day when Roy passed away. I was never a close friend, but our paths kept crossing
It was 1958. I was playing in Jersey in the Channel islands and our leader kept talking about this wonderful tenor sax man playing a few hotels away. However, due to our work schedules coinciding I never did hear him perform. Then in 1962 I was with the RCAF Band playing at the Opera house during the Seattle World’s Fair, the band to follow us was Stan Kenton. As we began to leave the stage I heard this strong Birmingham accent, I looked over and saw Roy Bari-Sax in hand working his way onto the stage.
I asked a trumpet player who that was, “That’s Roy Reynolds, a great sax-man and he’s from England.” “I would never have known,” I laughed. We could only stay for part of the concert but it was a unanimous agreement, he was a great sax-man.
Moving to Victoria in 1975 I kept hearing his name again, mainly performing in Vancouver. Eventually whilst playing at Mcmorrons who is booked as a sub but Roy. What a pleasure it was to hear him again after all these years.
Lastly in March 2000 Roy phoned and asked if I would like to play at the Cordova Express restaurant, Saturday nights but Latin music only. I always loved Latin music and many years ago had played with a Latin band in London. Now it was just a trio Roy, Rob and myself. And being me, I felt what the trio needed was a little organisation. Such as a program of the music titles, keys and type of rhythm. What I didn’t know, was that Roy really didn’t like being organised. I printed out the list and gave Roy and Rob a copy and felt this would produce a more flowing and sequential performance.
However the next Saturday, Roy admitted he had forgotten his list, the next Saturday he forgot his glasses and the print was too small. So being slow on the uptake, for next Saturday I produced a list with much larger font. I watched Roy unpack his sax and Clarinet, “the list,” I hopefully reminded him. Roy looked up, “sorry about that,” he looked quite apologetic. “The dog ate it.”
Now Roy....St. Peter likes dogs and if that wasn’t true, you may have to climb over the Pearly Gate!
David Cook
December 3, 2010
I met Roy (early 1980'2) at the Hot Jazz Club in Vancouver. I remember his jokes and his playing. Very Kind. I still have the Live At Annabelle's album that he autographed and gave to me.
Angela Carter-Osborne
December 3, 2010
I'm sorry to hear of Roy's passing. I met Roy through my father Chuck Carter when they were traveling with Stan Kenton. He was very kind to me and I loved his thumb joke. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Liam White
December 3, 2010
Thinking of you
Liam
December 3, 2010
Thinking of you,
Liam
sheila grigg
December 2, 2010
Hello, Val..this is Sheila(ex Long and McQuade)...so sorry to read of Roy's death..what a career he had, what a musician.
Warm thoughts to you, Val....Sheila
December 2, 2010
Val, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Rachel Stouwer
Lori Vermilyea
December 2, 2010
Val, I'm so sorry to hear of Roy's passing. Please know I'm thinking of you at this difficult time. Take care.
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