Clark Tracey

Clark Tracey is a London-born jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, born in 1961 and active in the UK jazz scene through a long association with his family’s ensembles and his own groups. He grows up in a jazz household as the son of pianist Stan Tracey, and begins on piano and vibraphone before starting drums at 13. He turns professional in 1978, joining his father’s various bands, and tours and records extensively in that setting.

Early career and band work

In 1981, Tracey forms his first personal group with Django Bates, Iain Ballamy and Andrew Cleyndert. Later ensembles include line-ups featuring Guy Barker, Jamie Talbot, Nigel Hitchcock, Dave O’Higgins, Mark Nightingale, Mornington Lockett, Julian Arguelles, Gerard Presencer, Alec Dankworth and Steve Melling. He also works in the Stan Tracey Trio, the Stan Tracey Octet and The Stan Tracey Quartet, and with Spectrum. At the time described, he leads a quintet with Mark Armstrong, Simon Allen, Zoe Rahman and Peter Billington, and a trio with Gareth Williams and Arnie Somogyi.

Composition and arrangements

As a composer, Tracey receives commissions for his quintet and for an octet shared with pianist Dave Newton. He also writes Continental Drift, an 11-piece work co-composed with Stan Tracey for the Arts Council. In addition, he creates arrangements for the Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Appleby Festival big band, and writes string quartet arrangements for his own group, Claire Martin, Tina May and the folk group Filska.

Recording, touring and recognition

Tracey appears on more than 80 albums and tours in around 50 countries. As a freelance drummer, he plays with many major jazz artists in the UK and abroad. He wins the British Jazz Awards Best Drums title three times, and receives endorsements from Zildjian Cymbals in 1998, Vic Firth Sticks in 1999 and Remo Drumheads in 1999.

Teaching

He also teaches privately and in schools, and gives masterclasses at Leeds College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, Musicians’ Institute, Bracknell jazz weekends and festivals, as well as overseas workshops.