THE Waterford music scene is devoid of one of its most talented singer/songwriters with the untimely death of Jamie (Jay) Barden, to the overwhelming grief of his family and legion of friends.
The talented 28-year-old keyboard player, originally from Ballinakill Downs, died suddenly on Monday night, September 28, from what is believed to be a congenital heart condition.
“He had been out to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream in which his girlfriend Trish Murphy was performing. He went home to Ferndale, went to bed and didn’t wake up,” a heartbroken friend said.
He was the only son of Jean Barden and Doug Foley. A former pupil of De La Salle College, he was well known on the local live music circuit and played with a number of bands, including Shane Barry and The Distractions, Rubber Soul and Fighting Spiders.
While he was mostly associated with the local music scene he also played with bands in both Dublin and Cork and testament to his popularity among those associated with the ‘electric music scene’ were the large crowds who packed St. John’s Church for his removal and funeral Mass last week.
Friends and colleagues, Ashley Sheehan, Aisling Browne, Shane Barry, Nathan Power and Peter Vogler, played their own poignant tributes during the Requiem Mass.
Songs included Halleluiah by Leonard Cohen and Delicate by well-known Irish artist Damien Rice.
Also during the Mass an Adidas logo was brought to the altar to represent his interest in quirky clothing, while Dave Mancer and Aaron Mulhall put together a collection of the albums and CDs that Jay was involved with.
“He was a great friend and a terrific person who is real-ly missed by us all,” said Ashley Sheehan.
Following Requiem Mass at St. John’s Church, Jay was laid to rest in St. Otteran’s cemetery, Ballinaneeshagh.
