Many regard the late Stan Tracey as part of the UK’s ‘jazz royalty’, a jazz pianist and composer whose career spanned decades as soloist, band leader and pianist for the house band at Ronnie Scott’s backing a galaxy of international jazz stars.
Stan struck up a lasting friendship with fellow pianist / composer Maltese national Sammy Galea, starting in the 1950s. A generation on, their musician sons – drummer Clark Tracey and pianist Dominic Galea – are good friends and work together, latterly producing their Legacy Quintet album.
We’re delighted to welcome the Tracey/Galea Legacy Quintet in a musical tribute to their late fathers. Great melodies, of course, with lots of swing and passion from a taut line-up. In addition to piano and drums, the Quintet features two horns – alto & baritone saxes from maestro Alan Barnes and trumpet and flugelhorn from Mark Armstrong, as well as the vibrant double bass of Arnie Somogyi. Sadly, Dominic is not available for this gig and his place is ably ‘depped’ by pianist Gareth Williams.
Expect an uplifting tribute to the music of their late fathers and the rich legacy they handed down to their sons.
Watch a video of the Tracey/Galea Legacy Quintet perform at the 2022 Malta Jazz Festival
The compositions [written by Galea and Tracey Snr] are all exceptional and delivered with an authority that is immediately attention grabbing and does not let up until the last note fades. – Jazz Views
Clark Tracey…one of the most impressive jazz drummers in Britain today – The Times
PS – It’s worth mentioning that many in our Jazz Steps audience hold a special fondness for Stan Tracey who performed with his band de jour at our inaugural gig at the Bonington in 1997. We chose to feature Stan on the cover of our book The Jazz Steps Story, available to buy at our gigs!
Clark Tracey – drums | Alan Barnes – alto & baritone saxes | Gareth Williams – piano | Mark Armstrong – trumpet & flugelhorn | Arnie Somogyi – bass
The Bonington
