Stan Tracey, Guy Barker & Benjamin Herman
@ the Pizza Express Jazz Club
12 November 2006

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Stan Tracey biography

With a career spanning over 50 years, pianist, composer and arranger Stanley William Tracey has been a pivotal figure on the British and international Jazz scene. Ronnie Scott hired Self-taught Tracey as his House pianist in 1960. A seven year residency would see Tracey perform with many visiting Jazz greats such as Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Sitt, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster and Zoot Sims to name a few. Tracey also formed his own band, which included Bobby Wellins, Peter King and Art Themen.

In 1965, Tracey released the acclaimed “Under Milk Wood Suite”, a lyrical setting to Dylan Thomas’s play for voices. A year later he produced the inspirational “Alice in Jazzland”. Tracey has since progressed to produce more than 45 albums, many on his label Steam Records.

In 1985, Stan Tracey was awarded the OBE, he was also voted International Jazz Musician of the year. The Guardian/Wire Award for best composer of the year would be added to Tracey’s growing list of achievements in 1989. “We Still Love you Madly” was voted the best album of the year in 1990.

Tracey has toured extensively as well as appearing on specific television programmes, documenting his status among British jazz greats. Further recognition has come in the form of a BASCA Award (for services to the British Music Industry) and honorary membership of the Royal Academy Of Music.

Guy Barker biography

Trumpeter and composer Guy Barker began playing the trumpet at age 12. He joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra a year later. Barker would receive tuition from Clark Terry in 1975 and would progress to play with John Dankworth, Gil Evans, Lena Horne and Bobby Watson.

Barker was a member of Clark Tracey’s quintet (Stan Tracey’s son) from 1984 to 1992. His services are still called upon by Tracey junior (and senior) on a regular basis. In fact, Tracey has been called to support many internationally renown musicians, such as Frank Sinatra, Ornette Coleman, Carla Bley, Georgie Fame, Cleo Lane, Mike Westbrook and Chris Hunter. Barker has also guested on recordings by Sting, George Michael and Carmel.

Barker leads his own band, featuring an international mix of musicians such as Perico Sambeat (alto saxophone), Bernardo Sassetti (piano), Geoff Gascoyne (bass) and Gene Calderazzo (drums).

Benjamin Herman biography

Like Guy Barker, Benjamin Herman was 12 when he started to play the saxophone, his professional career began a year later. Herman is currently based in Amsterdam, but he has toured extensively with various sized groups, and performed at North Sea Jazz Festival. At 21 Herman received the Wessel Ilcken prize for best young jazz musician of the year. After graduating with honours at Hilversum Conservatory Herman studied with Dick Oatts at Manhattan School of Music in New York.

In 1999, Challenge records invited Herman to record an album in New York with leading American jazz musicians. The critically acclaimed “Get In” (which features Idris Muhammad on drums) was released. Further successful live performances would follow.

Herman is part of the ‘New Cool Collective’. An eight piece band who have a strong fan base, impressive tour and festival resume, including the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1997. October 1999 saw the release of “Big” (NCC’s third release). This album received an Edison Jazz Award in 2000. Georgie Fame and Trijntje Oosterhuis are among the major artists who appear on the album.

Benjamin Herman is a much sought-after soloist. To date he has performed with artists such as Candy Dulfer, Lois Lane, Michael Borstlap, Georgie Fame, Larry Goldings, Misha Mengelberg and Rein de Graaf.

Musicians:
Stan Tracey – piano, Guy Barker – trumpet
Benjamin Herman – saxophone

Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd.