Born London, September 12, 1920. Died London, March 10, 2009, aged 88.
May 7, 2009 11:38A leading 1940s jazz player, Moss Kaye switched careers to become a well known north-west London estate agent.
One of eight children, he grew up in Fournier Street in London’s East End. His parents, Max and Bella Kauffman, born in Russia and Poland, came to Britain around 1907 and married in 1915. Max worked as a furrier on the ground floor of their home, which also provided a stiebl.
Educated at the Jews’ Free School, Moss was acutely aware of the dire poverty and threat of fascism outside the warmth and stability of his own family life. He and his brother, Lou, threw marbles at police horses in the 1936 “battle of Cable Street” to stop them clearing a path for Mosley’s blackshirt rally.
His experience forged a strong sense of social justice. He was a lifelong supporter of the Labour Party, respecting people, whatever their position in life.
In his teens he was given an old saxophone by his uncle, Sid Millward, leader of a professional band, which played at frequent family functions.
Inspired, Moss bought a second-hand brass sax for £30 (about £900 today) and devoted himself to its mastery and practice. He got his first gigs at 17 and spent his Second World War service as a bandsman in the 17-21st Lancers.
He changed his surname to Kaye in the 1940s to suit his Big Band career. After the war he played for top dance bands and orchestras, including Geraldo, Stanley Black and the BBC Orchestra. Jazz colleagues included John Dankworth and Ronnie Scott.
After a New York tour in 1947, he was playing on the Queen Mary liner on the return journey when he met and instantly fell in love with Beatrice (Bea) Herman. They were married the following year.
With two small children, he sought a new career more compatible with family life. In 1952 he started up an estate agency in Edgware, Middlesex, and mentored many fledgling estate agents.
Passionate about golf at a time when clubs operated a quota system to exclude Jews, he joined Hartsbourne Country Club in 1954. The Jewish golf club opened in 1948.
He was its first captain, later becomnig chairman and president. A highly respected member, he was awarded a rare lifetime honorary membership.
The death of Bea from cancer in 1994 after 47 years of marriage was an enormous loss to him. After her death he met Jill Simmonds, whom he married in 1998, enjoying nearly 10 more happy years.
He is survived by his wife, Jill; son, Laurie, and daughter, Linda, from his first marriage; four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.