Project Description

Jazz: Under Milk Wood & A Child’s Christmas in Wales, The Garage, Swansea

  • Date:

    Wednesday December 11th

  • The Garage,
    47 Uplands Crescent,
    Uplands
    Swansea
    SA2 0NP

  • Wednesday December 11th – Clark Tracey Quintet – The Garage, Uplands – 8.30pm

    Two Jazz suites composed by Legendary Ronnie Scott’s house Pianist Stan Tracey, inspired by the Dylan Thomas’s works– Under Milk Wood & A Childs Christmas in Wales.

    ‘Celebrating 50 years of Swansea becoming a City, 1969 – 2019’

    Stan Tracey performed the Under Milk Wood Jazz Suite to an appreciative Swansea audience back in 1969, the year Swansea became a City. Stan is pictured above at the Brangwyn Hall Swansea with saxophonist Bobby Wellins. We recreate that concert from 50 years ago in Swansea, PLUS ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales, with Stan’s son Clark Tracey and his all star London based Quintet, along with Stan’s Grandson Ben narrating! Performed at the Garage Music venue, just a stones throw from Dylan’s Birthplace!

    “Recorded in 1965, Stan Tracey’s seminal recording ‘Under Milk Wood’ justifiably received the most acclaim a British jazz recording had ever been given at that time and has been reissued 6 times since then, such is the constant demand. The late Stan Tracey also recorded a version with extracts from the book, narrated by the eminent actor Donald Houston, which they toured until Stan’s passing in 2013, Philip Madoc later replacing Houston. Stan also had the opportunity to perform the piece with his grandson, Ben, narrating.

    Although Stan had decided not to write any more music, he was gently persuaded to compose a new suite, inspired by Thamas’ ‘A Child’s Christmas In Wales’, again with Ben Tracey narrating the words, which they also recorded and toured.

    At a jazz venue last Christmas, Clark Tracey decided to present for the first time both of Dylan Thomas’ works back to back. It was a huge success and prompted Clark to seek other dates with the concept. The quartet features original members Simon Allen on tenor, Andrew Cleyndert on bass, Clark Tracey on drums, narration by Ben Tracey and the piano chair is taken by Bruce Boardman, a Tracey and Monk specialist who fits the bill perfectly.

    This will be the premier performance of both pieces together in Wales and what better city to perform them than Swansea, Dylan’s home for half of his lifetime.”

    For more information and to book, visit the Swansea Jazzland website here

    Admision £15, Jazzland Member £12, Students £8

    Click for more information