<img src='' title='Archives: What's On Events' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Archives: What's On Events

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

Presented by Jazz Steps

Scroll down on Yolanda’s website and you see: Mum, bassist, session musician, songwriter, band member, occasional producer, poet, nature lover and novice gardener.  Refreshingly lovely!

Project pH features a diverse range of musical styles, including beautiful ballads, heavy funk-fusion instrumentals, and modern R&B-influenced soulful tunes. Their musical variety has drawn comparisons to Parliament/Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, Prince, Yes, and Return to Forever – as well as Don Blackman, John Scofield, and even the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Yolanda is well-known to music fans and industry professionals worldwide. In 2020, she was awarded an MBE for her services to music. She has spent her career performing live with artists such as Hans Zimmer, Squeeze, Robbie Williams, and Paul Weller, as well as recording with BB King, Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, and Queen, to mention a few.

Yolanda’s new band Project pH has the dynamic and versatile Laurie Lowe on drums, known for his work as part of the Preston, Glasgow & Lowe trio as well as a myriad of names in the UK jazz scene. Pianist Hamish Balfour brings a wide range of experience as a composer and arranger. His training in both classical & jazz and as a dance music producer, gives him the perfect mix of skills for the band sound. Guitarist Nick Linnik provides a stunning display of highly compelling soloing as the newest member of the band.

The band presents its music with intricately arranged elements that allow unprepared moments to emerge, with a nod or glance signalling accents or arrangement changes. The interplay and rhythmic possibilities are numerous, which allows the musicians to enjoy a highly creative experience.

Yolanda Charles – bass | Laurie Lowe – drums | Hamish Balfour – keyboard | Nick Linnik – guitar

Presented by Jazz Steps