For singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae, the profound loss of her first husband felt, at the time, like an ending. In an exclusive and candid interview, the artist has reflected on the heartbreaking period following the death of Jason Rae, and how she ultimately discovered a path forward into a fulfilling new life.
A Journey Through the Deepest Grief
Jason Rae died in 2008 at the age of 31, when Corinne was just 29 years old. The musician has described the aftermath as a period where she believed her own life had effectively concluded. "At the time I lost Jason, it felt like the end of my life," she admits. "But of course, what I didn’t know then was, it was the beginning of a new part of my life."
She credits her close network of family and friends for providing crucial support during her darkest days, allowing her to talk endlessly as she processed the trauma. "Grief can trap you in a loop," she reflects. "You replay things over and over, trying to make it not happen. I was very lucky – my friends, my sisters, my parents, they let me talk and talk and talk."
Her 2010 album, The Sea, became a vessel for her raw emotion, created two years after her husband's passing. It served as a musical lifeline, helping her channel the complex feelings of loss into her art.
Building a New Chapter: Family and Creative Balance
Today, at 46, Corinne's life is rich in ways she once could not have envisioned. She found love again, marrying producer and jazz musician Steve Brown in 2013. She is now a devoted mother to two daughters, aged five and seven, a role that has reshaped her perspective entirely.
"Their childhood is a window that won’t be there forever," she says, highlighting how motherhood has sharpened her focus on what truly matters. This new priority influences her professional choices, leading her to work more efficiently. "Now I work efficiently," she explains. "I think about songs while walking my kids to school, or breastfeeding at night. You find the little windows."
Her latest creative venture bridges her personal and professional worlds. She has written a children's book titled Put Your Records On, set for publication in March 2026. Inspired by bedtime stories with her children on tour buses worldwide, the book explores music and emotion. Recording its audiobook recently proved to be a deeply moving experience for her.
Celebrating Life and Legacy
As she looks ahead, Corinne is marking a significant career milestone: the 20th anniversary of her debut album. She will celebrate with a special performance at London's Royal Albert Hall on 27 October 2026, with special guest Laura Mvula.
Raised in a working-class household in Leeds by her father from Saint Kitts and Nevis and her English mother, Corinne's music has always been shaped by life's contrasts. Now, she feels a profound sense of gratitude. "There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t feel so grateful for what I have. Grateful that I’m alive," she shares.
She also finds joy in simplicity, from craft markets to handmade objects, a taste that reminds her of her mother's resourceful creativity during her modest upbringing. As for future dreams, Corinne expresses a sense of fulfilment. "You know, when people ask me what my dreams are, I feel like I’ve realised them, I do," she says. "I’ve got my family, I’ve got my work – and I’m alive."
