@bruce-kiddie
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Bruce Kiddie (1926-2004) was an accomplished trumpet player, arranger and music lover.
Taught by Johhny Lynch 1938-43 whilst still at school and played in St Margaret’s Siver Brass Band. He also learned and became a proficient piano player.
Leaving school, he became a pharmacy student and frequently played in the dance band at Kidd’s Rooms where he met and courted Babs who he married in 1948.
His own band “the Uptown Sextet” took part, and were place third in the Mid East Scotland dance band championships sponsored by Melody Maker and held at the caird Hall Dundee.
When he completed his studies, he was immediately called up for national service in the Singapore area as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps. It’s no surprise he promptly took a lead in developing the army jazz band!
He returned in 1951 and continued to play regularly with local jazz bands as a skilled, sought after trumpet player . Bruce’s versatility also allowed him to work with visiting show orchestras. One such show was Peter Pan, starring Juiet Mills and John Hanson at the KIngs Theatre Dundee.
During the 60’s and 70’s he joined the Palais De Danse band led by Andy Lothian which allowed him to play the big band music on trumpet which he loved. It was there he met and made lifelong friends with other musicians including Gerry Culley, Tom McGrath, Jim Couper, Dougie Gow, Bert Couper, Jim Doig , FrankMcLeavey, Bob Bruce, Bert Brown.
He also played with the Dundee Musicians Rehearsal Big Band , along with Naj Zohah , Eric Soutar, Graeme Kiddie.They met weekly in the Roseangle rehearsal rooms and performed concerts in the former Tay Hotel (now Malmaison Hotel)
He continued to play throughout the 80s and 90s with the Tayside Musician’s Big Band which met weekly in Perth. There were many gigs in venues such as the Queen’s Hotel and the Chalet.
As well as being an accomplished jazz musician ,Bruce was a delightful man and considered by many as a joy to be around. He had a vivacious sense of humour and was known to thrill audiences with a few songs on special occasions! Two such songs are “Pennies from Heaven” and “Sheik of Araby”
He was a huge support, positive influence and inspiration to his own family as well as many newcomers to the music world. Thank you Bruce Kiddie for the music, the laughs and the unforgettable memories. You genuinely made the world a brighter place for all of us.
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Taught by Johhny Lynch 1938-43 whilst still at school and played in St Margaret’s Siver Brass Band. He also learned and became a proficient piano player.
Leaving school, he became a pharmacy student and frequently played in the dance band at Kidd’s Rooms where he met and courted Babs who he married in 1948.
His own band “the Uptown Sextet” took part, and were place third in the Mid East Scotland dance band championships sponsored by Melody Maker and held at the caird Hall Dundee.
When he completed his studies, he was immediately called up for national service in the Singapore area as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps. It’s no surprise he promptly took a lead in developing the army jazz band!
He returned in 1951 and continued to play regularly with local jazz bands as a skilled, sought after trumpet player . Bruce’s versatility also allowed him to work with visiting show orchestras. One such show was Peter Pan, starring Juiet Mills and John Hanson at the KIngs Theatre Dundee.
During the 60’s and 70’s he joined the Palais De Danse band led by Andy Lothian which allowed him to play the big band music on trumpet which he loved. It was there he met and made lifelong friends with other musicians including Gerry Culley, Tom McGrath, Jim Couper, Dougie Gow, Bert Couper, Jim Doig , FrankMcLeavey, Bob Bruce, Bert Brown.
He also played with the Dundee Musicians Rehearsal Big Band , along with Naj Zohah , Eric Soutar, Graeme Kiddie.They met weekly in the Roseangle rehearsal rooms and performed concerts in the former Tay Hotel (now Malmaison Hotel)
He continued to play throughout the 80s and 90s with the Tayside Musician’s Big Band which met weekly in Perth. There were many gigs in venues such as the Queen’s Hotel and the Chalet.
As well as being an accomplished jazz musician ,Bruce was a delightful man and considered by many as a joy to be around. He had a vivacious sense of humour and was known to thrill audiences with a few songs on special occasions! Two such songs are “Pennies from Heaven” and “Sheik of Araby”
He was a huge support, positive influence and inspiration to his own family as well as many newcomers to the music world. Thank you Bruce Kiddie for the music, the laughs and the unforgettable memories. You genuinely made the world a brighter place for all of us.
