West Herts Crematorium was packed to capacity last Saturday with family, friends and many of Britain’s best jazz musicians wishing a final farewell to Jackie Tracey.
The simple, non-religious ceremony was moving and dignified. It included three Duke Ellington pieces (Jackie’s favourite composer, after Stan of course). ‘Sophisticated Lady’ played during the period of reflection before the curtains closed. It was a version featuring Harry Carney on baritone. I hadn’t heard it before. It is one of the most sensitive interpretations of a ballad I’ve ever heard and it ends with an incredibly long note – a record breaking example of circular breathing. I’m sure I wasn’t the only person thinking ‘this sophisticated lady will never die’.
Monday 24 August 2009
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Tribute to Jackie Tracey
I am very sad to hear of the death of Jackie Tracey.
To describe her as ‘the wife of jazz pianist Stan Tracey’ would belittle the important contribution she made to British jazz in her own right, not as a musician but as a manager, producer, promoter and tireless champion of jazz.
Close friends say that Jackie supported Stan through the most difficult times, through poverty and addiction. She saved his career (when he was seriously considering becoming a postman) and probably saved his life.
Jackie took care of business for Stan, and helped many other British jazz musicians get established, especially during the dark days of jazz in the 1970s.
She will be sorely missed by Stan and their children Sarah and Clark and by a great many lovers of live jazz in Britain.
To describe her as ‘the wife of jazz pianist Stan Tracey’ would belittle the important contribution she made to British jazz in her own right, not as a musician but as a manager, producer, promoter and tireless champion of jazz.
Close friends say that Jackie supported Stan through the most difficult times, through poverty and addiction. She saved his career (when he was seriously considering becoming a postman) and probably saved his life.
Jackie took care of business for Stan, and helped many other British jazz musicians get established, especially during the dark days of jazz in the 1970s.
She will be sorely missed by Stan and their children Sarah and Clark and by a great many lovers of live jazz in Britain.
Wednesday 5 August 2009
Extreme Measures
I'm still buzzing from the Extreme Measures gig at the Cluny last night.
Extreme Measures - Gary Turner (ten), Mark Williams (gtr), Ben Gilbert (pno), Stuart Davies(bs), David Carnegie (dms) - is the best band playing original modern jazz in the North East.
This was a fund-raising event for a cancer charity called Maggie's and it was also the last gig of the band with Ben Gilbert on piano. He's moving to London.
He'll be a great loss to jazz in Tyneside, and to me personally, since I have learned so much from his jazz improvisation classes at the Sage.
Extreme Measures - Gary Turner (ten), Mark Williams (gtr), Ben Gilbert (pno), Stuart Davies(bs), David Carnegie (dms) - is the best band playing original modern jazz in the North East.
This was a fund-raising event for a cancer charity called Maggie's and it was also the last gig of the band with Ben Gilbert on piano. He's moving to London.
He'll be a great loss to jazz in Tyneside, and to me personally, since I have learned so much from his jazz improvisation classes at the Sage.
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