Clare Teal: A sad farewell to a good friend and a great drummer

"I don't know Chris. Give us a clue?"

As I used to travel everywhere with an atlas on my knee, this familiar exchange would take place on the way to virtually every gig before the birth of sat nav took all the fun out of travelling…not.

Muddy and I first met drummer Chris Dagley in 2003 at the 606 with Brian Dee. We thought he was brilliant, and were thrilled when he joined our band in 2004.

He looked like a film star, always immaculately turned out. He took a huge pride in his appearance and, bizarrely, mine. I admit I wasn't a fan of his leather trouser suggestion, but he did recommend some great products to combat my annoying "mid gig hair frizz".

Chris became a drum demon from a very early age; a star of both the Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. He had an incredible inbuilt discipline and thirst for improvement and perfection…

After starting his professional career while still a teenager, he went on to work with many top jazz ensembles, not to mention Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Golson, Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton.

After five great years, Chris left our band last year with a cuddle and a smile. By now he had proudly been the house drummer at Ronnie Scotts for three years.

We kept in touch often and remained good friends. Muddy and I were very much looking forward to seeing him again for a catch-up in the near future.

But in the early hours of July 28, Chris Dagley tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident. He leaves behind Jan, his loving partner of 19 years, and three beautiful young children. He was 39.

All who knew him are devastated, and on behalf of the band and all of you who have enjoyed his wonderful playing over the years, we send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family.

We must never take our time here for granted and never miss an opportunity to tell our friends how much we love them.