The Stan Tracey Trio

On this very special evening we welcome one of the most outstanding figures of the Jazz world, Stan Tracey, to the 606 Club. In a career spanning over six decades he has 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 has consistently appealed to successive generations and inspired a catalogue of artists who are now some of the most established players around. Self-taught, his first instrument was the accordion which he played in an ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) sponsored orchestra during WWII as a lad of sixteen. He also served in the RAF, where he played piano in a touring production of the RAF Gang Show. By the early 60s he was the house pianist at the original Ronnie Scott’s Club in Soho, and during this period, he worked with many of the finest Jazz musicians in the world, establishing an international reputation in the process. In 1962, he formed his own quartet with what would become one of his most well known musical collaborators, saxophone great Bobby Wellins. Tracey 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. This evening would not be complete without two outstanding players supporting Stan in the shape of Andy Cleyndert playing bass and Clark Tracey on drums. . It is with enormous pleasure that the 606 Club welcomes one of the greatest British Jazz musicians of all time. Special gig this.

“Stan Tracey....one of the greats of British Jazz” The Guardian
“Stan really is a national treasure” Jazzwise
“Our piano master is still driving Britain's jazz beat” The Observer