‘A Child’s Christmas’ by Stan Tracey
A follow up to the very successful 'Under Milk Wood' evening that we hosted in 2023.
Thi
s time an evening of jazz written by the late Stan Tracey reflecting Dylan Thomas's 'A Child's Christmas in Wales'.
Stan Tracey was a British jazz pianist and composer, whose most important influences were Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. He sadly died in 2013.
Presented by:
- Ewen Baird (Saxophone)
- Mike Goff (Drums)
- Steve Kershaw (Bass)
- Martin Pickett (Piano)
- Tom Neill (Voice)
Using scores produced and transcribed by Clark Tracey, a quartet consisting of Steve Kershaw (bass), Martin Pickett (piano), Ewen Baird (saxophone) and Mike Goff (drums) will be performing Stan Tracey’s musical interpretation of Dylan Thomas’ famous work 'A Child's Christmas in Wales'.
In addition to the Jazz Quartet the narrative passages will be performed by Tom Neill. Tom is a multi-disciplinary artist and producer working throughout the UK as a composer, actor and theatre director. He is a founder member of Prime Studios Creation Space in Windsor and an associate artist of internationally touring Blackeyed Theatre.
With antics in the snow, snoring uncles, doting aunts, and an errant hippopotamus, Thomas' nostalgic tale evokes the happiest memories of Christmases past. Energetically interpreted and elevated in seven tunes by the great British composer Stan Tracey.
"I've always had a particular fondness for A Child's Christmas in Wales because it evokes so many memories of the festival when I was a child. I was, therefore, delighted when Clark suggested that I should write something based on Dylan's story and wondered why I hadn't thought of it first. I hope the music reflects some of the pleasure it has given me." - Stan Tracey.