INTERNATIONALLY renowned jazz pianist, composer and arranger, Stan Tracey is generally regarded as one of Britain's greatest living jazz musicians.

His career spans over 40 years, and entrenches back to the formative days of modern jazz in this country.

In the 1950s Stan Tracey, an entirely self-taught musician, sailed on the Queen Mary to New York, where America's Bebop Revolution exploited and indulged his many talents. Back home, in 1960, Stan began his seven-year stint as resident pianist at Ronnie Scott's Club, during which time he played alongside celebrated visiting musicians from the USA, including Roland Kirk, Stan Getz and Sonny Rollins.

During that same period Stan formed his quartet and big band, and in 1965 he reached a wide audience with the immortal Under Milk Wood Suite, a lyrical setting to Dylan Thomas's play for voices.

Much later, in the 1980s and 90s, Stan's work as an interpreter, arranger and composer earned him the affectionate title of The English Ellington.

Most recently, Stan was the subject of a BBC 4 documentary, which dubbed him the Godfather of British Jazz. Jazz greats Dame Cleo Laine and John Dankworth offered contributions in praise of Stan's illustrious career for the programme, while famous friends and fans Bob Monkhouse, Humphrey Lyttleton and Michael Horowitz also pitched in to celebrate Stan's work which continues to influence stars of the current jazz generation, from Courtney Pine to son Clark Tracey.

Stan Tracey will be at Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, on Saturday, January 21 at 8pm. Tickets are £12, concessions £11. Call the Huntingdon Hall Box Office on 01905 611427.