Stan Tracey

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Stan Tracey (1980s)

Stanley William Tracey (born December 30, 1926 in London , † December 6, 2013 in St Albans ) was a British jazz pianist , arranger and composer . He is considered to be one of the pioneers of a jazz in Great Britain that breaks away from the American model .

Live and act

Tracey was already a professional musician at the age of 16 and initially played as an accordionist for entertainment. From 1945 he did his army service, partly in entertainment groups for members of the army in Egypt and Palestine. In 1948 he returned to London, where he played with Ronnie Scott . In 1951 he recorded with Eddie Thompson's quintet and then worked on the Cunard Line's ocean liners and in dance orchestras. From 1952 he also worked in the jazz sector (with Kenny Baker , Victor Feldman , Tony Crombie and Ivor and Basil Kirchin, among others ). In 1957 he toured America with Ronnie Scott. Between 1957 and 1959 he worked (also as a vibraphonist ) with Ted Heath for almost two years . Between 1960 and 1967 he was a resident pianist at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and accompanied the traveling soloists such as Ben Webster , Sonny Rollins and Zoot Sims . In 1964 he founded his own quartet, which initially included saxophonists such as Bobby Wellins and Trevor Watts (since 1974 Art Themes ). Tracey made recordings as a soloist, in a duo (with Mike Osborne , John Surman , Tony Coe or Keith Tippett ) and in larger groups up to the big band .

As a pianist, Tracey was influenced by Ellington and Monk . He has received the following awards in British jazz: Best Pianist (1992), Best Composer / Arranger (1993, 1995, 1997, 1999), Best Album Release (1993), Best Small Group (1995). In 1986 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to British jazz . In 2012 he was honored with the newly created Ivors Jazz Award .

In 2003, Tracey was the subject of the BBC television documentary "Godfather of British Jazz". The drummer Clark Tracey is his son.

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Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Stan Tracey, godfather of British jazz, this aged 86
personal data
SURNAME Tracey, Stan
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Tracey, Stanley William (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British jazz pianist and composer
DATE OF BIRTH December 30, 1926
PLACE OF BIRTH London
DATE OF DEATH December 6, 2013
Place of death St Albans