Review: Huddersfield Jazz Special

Mar 31 2008 by Our Correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

BILLED as a Huddersfield Jazz Special, not even the foul weather on Saturday night could have dampened the spirits of those enthusiasts who braved the elements to see one of the country’s greatest jazz musicians.

Even as an octogenarian, Stan Tracey certainly hasn’t lost any of his flair at the piano, treating the audience to such standards as Old Folks, Lullaby of the Leaves and Autumn’s Leaves and a number of Thelonius Monk numbers.

Not surprising perhaps, considering Monk’s influence on Stan Tracey’s playing.

Tracey has often been described as idiosyncratic. Indeed, this godfather of British jazz has a style which has set a standard for others.

On hearing him, the wedding tradition of something old, new, borrowed and blue comes to mind.

The old and borrowed come through in his melodious, percussive and yet lyrical playing showing the influence of Monk and Duke Ellington.

The new is his own original style, incorporating jagged leaps and runs.

The blue speaks for itself in aspects of the programme such as the lush chords of Old Folks and the laidback Mr Gentle and Mr Cool.

Joining Stan Tracey was trumpet maestro Guy Barker, whose inventive style oozed virtuosity from the word go, at times playing with somnolent softness and at others with a hard-edged drive.

The rest of the quartet comprised the warm and inventive bass of Andrew Cleyndert and the slick, even melodious, playing of Clark Tracey on drums, both of whom added significant interpretations to the music.