Jazz Steps: Clark Tracey Sextet- Double Bill

A seasonal treat to hear two renowned Jazz Suites composed by Stan Tracey, inspired by the poetic imagery of Dylan Thomas’ works: A Child’s Christmas in Wales and Under Milk Wood.

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of Stan’s composition Under Milk Wood . Originally released as a mono LP in 1965 (and re-released several times since), it is rated a ’canonical classic of British jazz’. His grandson Ben Tracey recollects that Stan “began writing the music for his masterpiece on the night bus home to Streatham from his job as the house pianist at Ronnie Scott’s”.

The peerless ballad Starless and Bible Black and other evocative tunes well-integrated with lyrical passages from Dylan’s work, transport the listener to the fictional small Welsh fishing town of Llareggub – spell that backwards! Written for radio, Under Milk Wood has a host of eccentric characters and follows their daily activities, loving them, despite their flaws.

Line-up: Clark Tracey drums, TBA piano, Simon Allen saxes, Andrew Cleyndert bass and narration from both Ben Tracey and Sharon White.

Presented by Jazz Steps