My very good friend Gayle, who I met when I started playing with Ray Myers in his R&B band, is about the gentlest soul you will ever meet in your life. She is sweet, kind, and oh so endearing. She also happens to love all things sax. When the band was out at Tradex this past weekend for the car show, she came over for dinner on Sunday night.
She had never seen a bass saxophone before. She was wowed when she walked into the studio and saw it’s big, purple case. When I opened the “coffin” (as the case was affectionately named by members of the Latin band that used to hike it around for me in Fredericton) and took the horn out and put it in its stand, she was awe struck. Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. She was mesmerized by this mammoth horn. I think this is about my favorite photo ever of my bass saxophone.
Dear Helen and Peter,
While I have not met you, Helen, I did meet Peter in England in early 2000. I’m Sue, Gayle’s friend since 1981 and thrilled to hear from you both. Please contact me privately, suechalmersatshawdotca so we can chat. I loved the photo you posted of Gayle on this beautiful site and what you both wrote too. I’d also really appreciate hearing from Ray.
Best wishes,
Sue
I have been in Vancouver for the last week trying to track down my lovely friend Gayle Kraft. She doesn’t answer the phone or E-mails. I do hope that she is OK. I have to return to London tomorrow (17th November) and would be very grateful if you might have any news of her whereabouts.
Thank you!
Peter Fisher (violinist from London, UK)
Hello Peter.
I haven’t talked to Gayle in a while. I will try and get a hold of her, and if that fails, one our mutual friends. I will get in touch with you via email and let you know what I find out….helen
Hi Helen,
It was a pleasure meeting you (and your Keilwerth) in David Gsponer’s shop last week and I have to say, I am amazed by your website-WOW!!! I just had to comment on this great picture of Gayle with your bass, an absolutely wonderful shot. I met Gayle years ago when she used to frequent my band department at Long & McQuade (when it was at Granville & 7th). I also used to see her up at the Normandie Restaurant in her usual booth at lunch time. I have to agree that she is a great sax enthusiast and one of the kindest and most genuine people you could ever hope to meet. Haven’t seen her in years but I remember some great sax-chats with her and playing opposite weekends with my old band at the Fire Fighters Club in Burnaby when Ray Myers’ Band was playing there regularly. If you see her, please tell her I say hello!
Thanks again for pointing me in the direction of your great site 🙂
All the Best,
Brian (the Selmer Guy)
Hi Brian. Welcome to my website.
It was nice to meet you too. I wish I could have heard you play my Hohner. I always like to hear others on my horns. It gives me an idea what they really sound like. 🙂
Yes, Gayle is a wonderful woman. She actually took the last great photo of my mom just a few months before my mom passed away. It was the photo that I used in her obit.
I had taken my mom to one of Ray’s shows, and she had a wonderful time. Gayle took a bunch of photos that night of my mom at the band table, and with Ray. This one photo however was amazing. Gayle has the ability to draw people out. She is perhaps the most genuine person I have ever met in my life.
Take good care in your travels. It sounds like you do a lot of them!
Best regards,
Helen
Hi back at you Gayle!
I’m glad you found my blog, and I hope you enjoy reading through some of the articles in here.
Best to you for ’09 as well, and I’ll see you soon…helen
Hi HELEN, I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT YOUR WEBSITE & WAS VERY SURPRISED YOU PUT MY PICTURE ON THERE WITH THE BASS, THANKS. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN 2OO9, AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING MORE TIME ON YOUR GREAT SITE AND SEEING YOU IN THE NEW YEAR. YOUR FRIEND GAYLE.