Clark Tracey

Who is Clark Tracey?

Clark Tracey is an English jazz drummer. He is the son of Stan Tracey.

Born in London, Tracey played piano and vibraphone, before switching to drums at age 13, studying under Bryan Spring. Tracey played in several ensembles with his father, including a quartet called Fathers and Sons with John and Alec Dankworth in the 1990s. Tracey has played with visiting American musicians such as Scott Hamilton, Johnny Griffin, Red Rodney, Barney Kessell, John Hicks and Pharoah Sanders throughout his career. He played with Buddy DeFranco and Martin Taylor from 1984–86, then with Charlie Rouse, Alan Skidmore in Hong Kong, Tommy Smith, and Guy Barker.

He has led his own ensembles since the late 1980s; in these combos he has played with Django Bates, Iain Ballamy, Guy Barker, Jamie Talbot, Mark Nightingale, Dave O'Higgins, Nigel Hitchcock, Gerard Presencer, Mornington Lockett, Jean Toussaint, Simon Allen, Zoe Rahman and Alan Barnes.

He runs two record labels, Tentoten Records and Resteamed Records, and a download website Givemejazz.

He has been awarded "Best Drums" in the British Jazz Awards three times and in 2007 won "Best Drums" at the Ronnie Scott's Club Awards and his quintet won the Best Performance Award for Birmingham Jazz in 2006.