Doug Raney

(Aug 29, 1956 – May 1, 2016)

With his reputation solidified, several great records followed with Jimmy on Steeplechase (Stolen Moments, Duets, Nardis) and Criss-Cross labels (Raney ’81). In total Doug has recorded close to 30 records and has truly established his voice as one of the best of the modern bop guitarists in the tradition — no small feat given his illustrious father’s achievements on the same instrument.

Below is terrific video by Chase Maddox talking about Doug’s chronic underappreciation in the world of jazz guitar. He analyzes some key concepts he learned on Doug’s solo to “Four” on one of my favorite early albums Doug’s, Cuttin’ Loose.

(BTW Doug was just 22 years old when he made it)

A great video and analysis of Doug’s bebop chops is featured on Guitarist/Educator, Jens Larsen’s YouTube Channel below:

Despite his recognition and following by critics, contemporaries and jazz fans alike, Doug (like his father) continues to fall under the radar of the jazz listening public.

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Doug’s last official date as a leader is not widely known: BLUES, BALLADS, BEBOP AND A BLUE GIRL from 2008. It was originally distributed by the Japanese label, Marshmallow Records but – to my knowledge – is no longer available.  (The CD is still being sold by resellers on Amazon but at ~$70 is a little steep…)

My brother sent me the below 5 tracks via email in 2013. So in keeping with my practice of sharing my brother’s wonderful legacy, I am sharing them with you below:

BLUES, BALLADS, BEBOP AND A BLUE GIRL

Doug Raney (guitar), Jesper Lundgaard (bass) and Morten Lund (drums)

Oblivion

This is New

Little Girl Blue

Photograph

Dear Old Stockholm

He left out Blue Monk and Who Cares from the attachments.  I think it was just an oversight where he resent a few of the same tracks but left it out.  Blue Monk’s omission however was intentional because in his words:

“Left out Blue Monk. I(t) was supposed to be a warm-up. D.”

Doug-Jon Correspondence Feb 2013

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Doug made a comeback in 2012 and 2013 doing several gigs at the famous Montmartre Club in Copenhagen, Denmark  knocking people out. Below video is the likely the last documment of Doug’s playing at Copenhagen’s Jazz Cup in 2013. It is with long-time bandmates Bernt Rosengren, bassist, Jesper Lundgaard, along with drummer, Niclas Campagnol. Jesper told me he was sick with the flu prior for quite a while and not really up playing in public. But with some encouragement showed up. Even with that you can hear the magic coming thru the struggle. For me the real stunner is on one of his favorites, “How Deep is the Ocean”.