"Tracey is a world-class musician whose mature and distinctive artistry is right up there with the likes of
Philly Joe Jones and Roy Haynes." - Jazz Journal
Sunday, 12th October
Clark Tracey's
Jazz Champions
A consummate drummer who has been leading his own bands since 1981, Clark has a fearsomely driving style and a reputation for hard work.
Clark has had 40 years' experience playing alongside some of the most important American jazz artists, including Johnny Griffin, Pharaoh Sanders, George Cables, Bud Shank, Red Rodney, and Scott Hamilton.
British musicians include Ronnie Scott, John Surman, Alan Skidmore, Kenny Wheeler, Alan Barnes, Don Weller and Tommy Smith.With more than over 100 albums to his credit (15 as leader),
Clark has won the Best Drums category no less than six times in the British Jazz Awards and the Ronnie Scott's Award for Best Drums.
Often dubbed Britain's answer to Art Blakey, Clark once said he learned two big lessons from the percussion legend when their groups shared shows at Ronnie Scott's in the 1980s.
The musical lesson was about bandleading from the drum stool, the art of stimulating soloists without getting in the way. The practical lesson was that everything must change.
Blakey constantly reshuffled his lineups, discovering and losing hot new players, then starting over again. Clark has done likewise, having over the years led bands featuring some of the best young British talent. However, his latest incarnation features a stellar line-up of veterans from the UK scene.
ART THEMEN
SIMON ALLEN
As well as leading his own quartets and quintets., Simon has recorded and performed with Sir Paul McCartney, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Phil Collins, Jamie Cullum, Beverly Knight and many more.
DAVID NEWTON
Voted ‘Best Jazz Pianist no less than 16 times, David's dynamic and lyrical jazz has perhaps been overshadowed by his work as accompanist for singers such as Marion Montgomery, Tina May, Annie Ross, Claire Martin, and Stacey Kent, with whom he spent 10 years recording and touring the world.
ANDREW CLEYNDERT
Andrew started out in the bands of Don Weller and Bobby Wellins and has since played and toured with the cream of the UK’s musicians and a string of international soloists, including Bud Shank, George Coleman, Ray Bryant, Lee Konitz, and James Moody.
Art Themen/Simon Allen (Tenor Saxophones) David Newton (Keyboard) Andrew Cleyndert (Double Bass) Clark Tracey (Drums)