Jamaican Became Leading UK Violinist, Defying Racial Barriers

Although Edmund Reid, better known as Eddie, has now passed away but his legacy and works will be remembered. He was one of very few black violinists who have graced the stages in orchestras throughout the United Kingdom.

Reid, 85, died on December 13, 2021 after a short illness. He will be remembered for his long and distinguished career as a violinist, who campaigned and fought for a place in the music world in the 1950s, just before desegregation in the United Kingdom.

Reid was born December 4, 1936 in Kingston, Jamaica. His aunt Doris Reid raised him for the majority of his life.

Eddie was the youngest child of four. His Aunt Doris taught him how to play the violin. She made every effort to foster the calling she found in Eddie at an early age.

She taught Reid how to play the guitar and Reid showed signs of promise. He later took private classes to sharpen his skills.

Although Doris was a midwife by profession, she also knew how to play the piano, organ and violin. As she was unable have children, she served as an educator and taught the children in her family.

Reid was eight years old when his first recital was given by Reid, a potential violin prodigy. At the tender age of 16 Reid received a Royal Academy of Music music scholarship. He studied with Sascha Lasserson (a Russian musician who came to England in 1914, and then spent six decades teaching).

Reid, while a talented musician, quickly realized that if he was to make a name for hisself in the symphonic realm, he had to be “300% better” than anyone else. Even though his talent and credentials were not questioned, Reid’s casting by the Royal Opera House in 1964 was delayed for two months. This was due to fears about the reactions of their audience to the presence a black man wearing an all-white ensemble.

Reid was not discouraged by the difficult road to success. He began to tear down the barriers that had been built to test his resolve. He was able to lead the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the orchestras for the Welsh National Opera and English National Opera.

Eddie and Gretta, his wife, were frequent collaborators on performances. Both performed at Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Schubert Society of Great Britain in the 1950s. They met as students at the Royal Academy of Music and were married in 1959. Two sons and two girls were born to their union. All of his children, as well as his brother, retired Judge Owen Parkin (currently in Jamaica), are survivors of Reid.

Reid worked on his Jamaican heritage even after he retired. He was a part of the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra until 2015. He continued to work as a private recitalist and teacher, until 2019, where he taught both amateurs and professionals to improve their craft for auditions in London’s top orchestras.

The Rehearsal Orchestra paid tribute to Eddie by stating that Eddie “brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the leader’s position.” They described him as a supportive leader with strong opinions on orchestral string playing but were always open to trying other options.

Reid was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2020 for his musical contributions and impact over decades of service to the arts community.

Dorette Saunders Reid’s niece lives in the United States. She was in constant communication with Reid until his death. She expressed delight at being associated with a man with such integrity, intelligence and extraordinary success throughout his career. She explained that Reid’s inability to find accommodation or rooms in hotels after his performances was one his first obstacles. This was because of racial prejudice, which was at its height at the time and many people weren’t comfortable with having a black person in their lives.

He said that it was difficult because the whites didn’t want him to live there. He might have been at the same level as his white counterparts or musicians, but some places didn’t want blacks. They even had signs in their windows stating that they didn’t want them. It was a difficult battle to overcome,” she explained.

Eddie, however, was able to not only survive, but also rose up the ranks of his profession and became the best, according to Saunders. His successes have made his family proud. She said, “It tells me something that…I’ve always known about Jamaicans… [we] are willing and able to strive to be at the top your game to accomplish what you have to get done, to achieve whatever you need to attain.”