Tribute to Stan Tracey by Clarke Tracey

This special gig is in tribute to the late, great, pianist Stan Tracey that will feature multiple compositions and arrangements by one of the true legends of the international jazz scene. The evening will be separated in to three sets, the first featuring Stan’s iconic music from his Under Milk Wood Suite, with the original saxophonist on that classic 60’s recording, Bobby Wellins. The second set will feature his most recent quintet of terrific young musicians, and the evening will finish with Stan’s classic Octet line up. In a career spanning over six decades Stan Tracey distinguished himself as one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century while still continuing to inspire and perform into his eighties. A real musician’s musician, he consistently appealed to successive generations and inspired a catalogue of musicians who are now some of the most established players around. A self-taught musician, by the early 60s he was the house pianist at the original Ronnie Scott’s Club in Soho. During this period he worked with many of the finest Jazz artists in the world, establishing an international reputation in the process. He formed his own quartet with what would become one of his most well known musical collaborators, saxophone great Bobby Wellins. Stan embraced the turbulent era of 70s improvisation and free jazz, and throughout the 1980s and 90s his triumphant career as an interpreter, arranger and composer earned him the affectionate title of “The English Ellington”. In 1986 his service to UK music was rewarded with an OBE from the Queen and in 2008 he once again found himself on the honours list, receiving a CBE. His Discography includes one of the most successful UK jazz albums ever “Under Milk Wood” and the simply outstanding “Alice in Jazzland”. His list of awards include “Best Pianist 1992”, “Best Composer/Arranger & Best Small Group 1995” “Best Composer/Arranger 1997 &1999” from the British Jazz Awards and the richly deserved “2002 - Lifetime Achievement Award” BBC Jazz Awards.. Stan performed at the Club on numerous occasions and we all miss not just his wonderful playing but also his dry wit (“I think nepotism should be kept in the family”) and his quiet but steadfast support of the music. The programme, organised by Clark, promises to be quite special and a fitting tribute to this fine musician on the Anniversary of his passing. £18

“Clark Tracey...one of the most impressive jazz drummers in Britain today” The Times;
"Melling is one of the most comprehensively gifted of pianists, with a great technique and an abundance of ideas" Jazz The Rough Guide Vol 2;
“Wellins….A masterful display of controlled sensitivity from one of the most original voices in European Jazz” The Sunday Times;
“[Weller]..captivating ...one of the most entertaining, straight-ahead saxophonists on the UK circuit” Guardian;
“Lockett..plays with tremendous fluency and drive” Evening Standard;
“agile player Mark Nightingale….one of the UK's leading trombonists” Guardian;
“Armburg-Jennings….one of the most exciting young musicians on the London scene today” Jazzwise;
“Stan Tracey...one of the greats of British Jazz” The Guardian