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Grand Old Man

Kate Molleson is joined by Clark Tracey to explore the life and work of his father, pianist and composer Stan Tracey, who kept performing and composing until the end.

This week Kate Molleson explores the life and work of the Godfather of British Jazz: pianist and composer Stan Tracey – in the company of his son, the drummer Clark Tracey.

Today Kate and Clark focus on the period in which Stan Tracey was referred to as both the Godfather of British Jazz and the Grand Old Man of British Jazz. After a period when it seemed as if his composing days were over, Tracey was coaxed back to it by the promise of working with his grandson. After that, he kept performing and composing until the end, writing and recording his final suite, The Flying Pig, at the age of 86 In 2013.

Music featured:
Foregone Conclusion (from Soundcheck, with Clark Tracey)
Newk’s Fluke (from Portraits Plus)
Sweet Lips (from The Later Works)
Landela (Follow) (from Khumbula (Remember), with Louis Moholo-Moholo)
Jinks (from A Child’s Christmas: Jazz Suite)
Dream of Many Colours (from Little Klunk)
The Flying Pig (from The Flying Pig)

Release date:

59 minutes

On radio

Fri 20 Nov 202616:00

Broadcast

  • Fri 20 Nov 202616:00

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