Celebrated British jazz pianist Stan Tracey has died aged 86, his family have confirmed.
Tracey, who had a career spanning 70 years, was widely acknowledged as one of the greats in his field.
The Londoner was resident pianist at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club from 1959-66 and made numerous recordings.
He also received a host of awards during his career, including the first Ivor Novello award for jazz in 2012. Tracey was awarded an OBE in 1986.
He became a CBE in the 2008 New Year Honours list.
The musician was also awarded a lifetime achievement award at the BBC Jazz Awards in 2002 and made appearances on Later… With Jools Holland.
Jazz artist Jamie Cullum said on Twitter: “He played like a demon right up until his last days on earth as an Eightysomething.”
Alyn Shipton, presenter of BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Record Requests, called Tracey “a towering figure in British jazz”.
“He showed back in the 1960s that British themes could make a great basis for improvised jazz with his Under Milk Wood Suite, inspired by Dylan Thomas,” he continued.
“His very latest work, the Flying Pig was inspired by the humour of British soldiers in the trenches in World War One, and it’s a remarkable composing career, to have such acclaimed works from either end of a 50 year span.
“He’ll be sorely missed,” he added.
Source-BBC
