Jazz classic being performed to mark Dylan Thomas centenary


Llanelli's Ffwrnes Theatre will be the venue for a special event to mark the Dylan Thomas Centenary on Friday night (October 17).
The theatre will see a live performance of Stan Tracey's world-renowned 'Jazz Suite inspired by Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood'.
The suite is recognised as an iconic jazz masterpiece.
Renowned pianist Richard Roberts leads a Welsh all-star jazz quartet with readings from the text by Swansea actors Phylip Harries (Torchwood, Doctor Who. Tracy Beaker, City Central) and Caroline Berry (Inspector Morse, Stella, Blood Brothers, Doctor Who and who is currently appearing as "Val Phelan" in Coronation Street).
Stan Tracey CBE (30 December 1926 – 6 December 2013) was a British jazz pianist and composer, whose most important influences were Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk.
The Under Milk Wood suite is Tracey's best known recording.
Tracey's 1965 album (its full title is Jazz Suite inspired by Dylan Thomas' "Under Milk Wood") is one of the most celebrated jazz recordings made in the United Kingdom.
Tracey was inspired to compose the suite by hearing the original 1953 BBC broadcast on an LP his wife Jackie had acquired.
The track "Starless and Bible Black", a quote from the opening monologue, is probably the highlight of Tracey's whole career.
Such is the affection with which these pieces are held that Tracey himself re-recorded them on several occasions, something that is unusual for British jazz musicians to do.

Sleeve notes from Stan Tracey album -
http://www.stantracey.com/linernotes/undermilkwood.htm

Facebook page -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Under-Milk-Wood-Jazz-Suite/633909576688484?ref=ts&fref=ts

Tickets
https://ffwrnes.ticketsolve.com/shows/873520028/events?show_id=873520028

You Tube link -

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