Stan Tracey

Stan Tracey

Stan Tracey is a British jazz pianist and composer from Denmark Hill, London. Born Stanley William Tracey in 1926, he dies in 2013. He records under his own name and with several groups, including the Stan Tracey Big Band, Stan Tracey Trio, The Stan Tracey Quartet, Stan Tracey Octet, the Stan Tracey Sextet, Spectrum and The New Departures Quartet.

Career

Tracey begins performing professionally at the age of 16. He later becomes house pianist at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London, where he accompanies visiting players including Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Roland Kirk and Zoot Sims. Rollins is quoted as asking, “Does anyone here realise how good he really is?”

He is also known for playing accordion and vibes as well as piano. Across his career he records more than 45 albums and receives numerous music awards.

Under Milk Wood

His 1965 album Under Milk Wood becomes his best-known recording. It is inspired by Dylan Thomas’s audio play and features Bobby Wellins on tenor saxophone.