Clark Tracey

b. 5 February 1961, London, England. Tracey began playing drums at an early age, often working with his father, Stan Tracey. At the start of his professional career, however, Tracey’s drumming was rock-orientated and sat uneasily with the jazz groups with which he often associated. By the early 80s, however, in his playing style it was clear that Tracey had absorbed much from the experience of playing with jazz artists such as Red Rodney, Charlie Rouse and James Moody. With visiting Americans, with bands led by contemporaries and by his father, and also as leader of his own quartet, quintet and sextet, Tracey grew with every appearance. By the 90s Tracey was established as a major figure among the new and vital group of young British jazz stars. During the middle of the decade he set up the Tribute To Art Blakey band, and also shared an octet with David Newton, in addition to running his own sextet and quintet. A skilled arranger and composer, Tracey has written for the Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra and singers Claire Martin and Tina May. He has also released several acclaimed albums for the TenToTen label, including two instalments in the British Composers Series (2001’s British Standard Time and 2008’s Given Time).