Events

Clark Tracey Sextet

"There is a calm authority about Clark Tracey's drumming: he appears undemonstrative, even cherubic, and scarcely seems to move, while all the time generating tremendous power," wrote The Guardian, while The Independent once commented: "If Art Blakey has a UK equivalent, it is fellow drummer Clark Tracey."

For 35 years, Clark delivered the rhythmic powerhouse for his late father Stan’s various ensembles. But in tandem with these duties he’s been leading his own bands for over 30 of those years and has released over a dozen albums under his own name. He’s now, quite rightly, regarded as one of Britain’s best jazz drummers.

Winner of the Best Drums category six times in the British Jazz Awards, in choosing youthful musicians (including former BBC Young Jazz Musician Of The Year, Alexandra Ridout), Clark follows something of a tradition in the nurturing and promoting of the latest jazz talent and, importantly, affording them the all-important exposure to audiences they so richly deserve.

Clark grew up in a jazz environment as the son of pianist Stan Tracey, and from an early age took to the piano and vibraphones. At 13 he started playing the drums and turned professional at 17, joining his father's various ensembles.

In 2001 Clark formed his own record company, Tentoten Records, and in 2007 formed Resteamed Records, a label dedicated to his father's works. In 2017 he wrote a biography of his father entitled The Godfather of British Jazz.

In 1981 Clark formed the first of his own groups with Django Bates and Iain Ballamy. Later ensembles included Guy Barker, Nigel Hitchcock, Dave O'Higgins, Mark Nightingale, Mornington Lockett, Julian Arguelles, Gerard Presencer, Alec Dankworth, Simon Allen, Zoe Rahman, Arnie Somogyi, Lewis Wright, Kit Downes and Chris Maddock.

Much in demand as an accompanist, Clark has played alongside some of the most important artists in jazz. Some of the most significant unions with American musicians have been with Johnny Griffin, Pharaoh Sanders, George Cables, Bud Shank, Red Rodney and Scott Hamilton, while Brits include Ronnie Scott, John Surman, Alan Skidmore, Kenny Wheeler, Alan Barnes, Don Weller and Tommy Smith.

​ Alexandra Ridout (Trumpet/Flugelhorn), Sean Payne (Alto Saxophone), Daniel Higham (Trombone), Elliot Sansom (Piano), James Owston (Double Bass), Clark Tracey (Drums).

"Tracey demonstrates he’s a true leader, but without pulling any punches, he’s never tempted to showboat here." - Jazz Journal on No Doubt

​ "An apprenticeship in the top flight has forged Clark into one of the most impressive jazz drummers in Britain today." - The Times 

​ "Clark plays with a keen-eared awareness that's rare among today's drummers." - Manchester Guardian

". . . a hugely enjoyable evening of unpretentious, hard swinging and grooving jazz with some excellent playing by Tracey." - The JazzMann

"He is one of the sharpest jazz drummers in the country." - Birmingham Evening Post 

Tickets £16 / £14 Concessions. Students £6
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Doors open 7.00pm, starts 7.30pm