Rae Jenkins, musician with a Welsh connection!

Rae Jenkins

Conductor of BBC Welsh Orchestra.

Connection: Born in Wales. Does anyone know where? - Ed.

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comment by:Mountain
My dad, Charles William Jenkins used to talk about his cousin Rae. He used to go to many of the concerts he conducted. My father died in 1975 when I was nineteen years old. Wish I could find out more!

comment by:maldwyn52
1950's conductor Rae Jenkins was regarded as the best conductor of light music in Britain. He had become a household name for his work on the comedy shows ITMA (it's that man again) when introduced by Tommy Handley with his catch-phrase 'Play, Rae!'

comment by:flautist
Watercolour artist William Redgrave drew a pen and wash of Rae Jenkins conducting the BBC Midland Light Orchestra. The orchestra on that occasion had a small string group in front, flute with piccolo beside him foreground left, an oboist, two other wind players, instruments not drawn and a harpist. Its a good portrait of Jenkins at work with microphones in place. Does anybody know when it was drawn and what they were playing?

comment by:flautist
I think I have now found a very good full portrait of Rae Jenkins by the same artist William Redgrave which was acquired by its present owner from the same source as that of Rae Jenkins conducting the midland light orchestra and appears to be of the same person by the very distinctive features. Does somebody in the Rae Jenkins family want to try to buy it? Redgrave worked around 1940-41 with the BBC as an assistant and in-house artist.

comment by:manchet
I am related to Rae through my mother, Megan. Her father, Thomas Jenkins was uncle Rae's older brother. There are still other relatives living in the Ammanford area where Rae was born. A plaque has recently been unveiled in Ammanford Town Hall to commemmorate him. Also a book has been recently published about his life.

comment by:aloukin
Rae Jenkins was my great, great uncle. I still live in Ammanford and am trying to put together a family tree. There aren't many of the older generation around to ask now, so if anyone can give me any information about rae and the Jenkins Family, I would really appreciate it. Thanks lots!

comment by:suzyflip
My grandmother always said Rae Jenkins was her cousin. I am a family historian but have been unable to find my grandmothers birth in 1872 or to find her on the 1881 census. Her name was Mary Ann Mills, daughter of Richard Mills. I would be really interested if anyone has her on their family tree. I remember watching Rae on TV on Sundays with my grandmother.