Jay Funk Dawg Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 It's a sad week with the passing of a friend and House of David Gang keyboard player James Gray. James was best known for the 12 years he played in Blue Rodeo, having been ousted by the band several years ago. It was a touchy point of his life, as he continued on playing in various bands, jam nights, Classic Album Live stage band. He was seen often playing in the subway at Dundas St. W. or with The Gang, BrainFudge, the Gypsy Rebels and many others. Here's a photo of us playing together at Evolve Festival (Antigonish, Nova Scotia). We brought him out to gigs at Come Together Festival, Lee's Palace, El Mocambo and he played recently with the band at Harbourfront Centre's Canada Day celebration. James was a natural musician and we all played better in his presence. His work on the new House of David Gang Reggae Warrior album really brought the music to life. James had a heart attack on his way home from a gig on Monday. Following a doctor's examination, it was determined that the heart attack Gray suffered was the result of him being severely diabetic, acondition he and his family were unaware of. More on James in this Exclaim! story http://bit.ly/15LIfXH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 So sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark tonin Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Sad news - my condolences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edger Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 That is sad news and sounds like a sudden loss. My thoughts to all who cared about him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Boy 2.0 Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 vibes, Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Really sorry to hear this Jay. Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffhead77 Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 That's sad to hear. Sorry for your loss, Jay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hartamophone Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Rough. Condolences, buddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deranger Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) very sad indeed. He was a regular at many jams in the GTA and I was always very impressed by his playing. I was fortunate enough to jam with him a few times and he really did make everything sound better. Total pro. Edited August 14, 2013 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Funk Dawg Posted August 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 Thanks to all for their condolences. One of the hardest parts of losing James is that neither the House of David Gang and myself can be in Toronto to celebrate James' life at his funeral or tribute shows. James was to go on tour with the band but had a gig conflict and a substitute player joined the band on the road at the last minute. The band are just returning this coming weekend after playing Shambhala & Calgary Reggae Festival and gigs in between, and the boys are pretty shaken up. Here's some more info about a Tribute to James tonight and tomorrow. The James Gray Tribute nights are happening tonight Monday, August 19 And Tuesday, Aug 20 at The Dakota Tavern... You won't believe the amount of talent. James played with what seems like EVERYONE in Toronto. Each night starts at 8pm. Members of Blue Rodeo, The Doorsmen (Doors tribute), Druckfarben, Jamie Browning, Brilliant Fish, Gord Zubrecki, Grier Coppins, Daniel Joseph, Gypsy Rebels, The Travellers (James' dads band), Vital Sines, Stratochief, Crispy Bottomley & Brainfudge, The Swallows, The Beauties, NQ Arbuckle & Luke Doucet, Heather Morgan, The Tom Waits Appreciation Society, Practically Petty, The Kensington Hillbillies, Michelle Rumball, Jeff Gibbons, Mikael Hickey & Andrew Hickey, Billy Heffernan, James' brothers...AND MORE. All proceeds go to SHINE, The Jim Fay Bursary giving musical bursaries to at-risk youth. www.shineconcert.ca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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