Fleece Jazz

The Jazz Champions were established by Clark Tracey to showcase some of the finest talents in the UK jazz scene.  The ensemble not only pays tribute to Clark's late father, Stan Tracey, but also performs beloved jazz classics, creating a fresh sound that resonates with audiences.

A five-time winner of the Best Drummer category in the British Jazz Awards, Clark Tracey is an excellent, highly experienced drummer, bandleader, composer and arranger who originally featured with the band of his late, great father, Stan Tracey CBE.  Clark has built a reputation since the early '80s as a scout for future jazz talent: Guy Barker, Alex Ridout, Daniel Casimir, Zoe Rahman, and Mark Armstrong are just a few whose talent he nurtured.

Awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to music and the promotion of jazz, Clark's latest band features a truly impressive group of top-class British jazz players. Formed in April 2024, the Jazz Champions are made up of some of the most experienced musicians on the UK scene.  Finding a niche in the market for a band of world class performers of a certain generation, the quintet has been experiencing sell out houses and stand out reviews.

Art Themen is an exciting, playful and inventive saxophonist and has been a beloved character on the British jazz scene for a staggering 60 years. He has featured in the bands of Mike Westbrook, Michael Garrick, Graham Collier, Alexis Korner, and Stan Tracey. Tenor saxophonist Simon Allen leads his own quartets and quintets and is a member of the Laurence Cottle All Star Big Band and Colin Towns Mask Orchestra. He was first spotted in the ranks of the youth band Pendulum by Clark more than 30 years ago. David Newton has been voted Best Jazz Pianist no fewer than 16 times by UK jazz audiences who adore his dynamic and lyrical playing. He has been best known by his work as an accompanist for singers such as Marion Montgomery, Tina May, Annie Ross, Claire Martin, and Stacey Kent with whom he spent 10 years recording and touring the world. Bassist Andrew Cleyndert began his career working in the bands of Don Weller and Bobby Wellins and has since flourished on the UK jazz scene and beyond. He was also a regular sideman for Stan Tracey with whom he recorded for 30 years and later became first choice accompanist to international soloists such as Bud Shank, George Coleman, Lee Konitz, and James Moody.
      

• Clark Tracey - Drums
• Art Themen - Saxes
• Simon Allen - Saxes
• David Newton - Piano
• Andrew Cleyndert - Bass

Fleece Jazz is an independent, non-profit association run by a voluntary committee who have been providing modern and contemporary jazz for 28 years. They book talented musicians and jazz bands from the UK and beyond to perform at Stoke by Nayland Resort, providing the perfect backdrop for these cherished and popular events.

Fleece Jazz events are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.