In Memory of Stan

When this gig was arranged as a special tribute to club members the late Bill & Josie Thompson, Stan Tracey, despite his poor health, was keen to bring this great band to play for his two biggest fans on Josie’s birthday. Fate intervened and Stan passed away on December 6th. He had already asked Steve Melling to put the gig in his diary - just in case.

Stan Tracey was the most distinctive and internationally recognised British jazz pianist and composer for more than 50 years. Well into his 80’s, Stan continued to write, arrange, record and play at a prodigious rate. His son Clark and bass player Andrew Cleyndert formed the nucleus of Stan’s many combos, from trio to big band, for more than twenty years. Stan’s musical collaboration with the equally revered Bobby Wellins goes back to well before their seminal 1960’s recording of Stan’s ‘Under Milk Wood’ Suite, still the UK’s most critically acclaimed and world famous jazz work, last performed in Southport at Jazz on a Winter’s Weekend 2009. Stan consistently sought to encourage young jazz musicians within his bands. Once such prodigy, Simon Allen is now a star in his own right. Pianist Steve Melling was highly regarded by Stan and depped for him several times during his illness. We are honoured to have them all here to pay their musical respects to Stan which will include some tunes from his last album ‘The Flying Pig’. 

Special thanks also go to a generous benefactor and friend of Bill and Josie who has made a significant contribution to the cost of this concert for the benefit of the club.