Drummer Clark Tracey has taken over the running of Herts Jazz with a small select group of helpers and intends, he says, “to maintain the high standard of musicianship that’s been a trademark of theirs all these years.” Clark’s plans include running theatre concerts every two months and a Herts Jazz Festival every year beginning next year.

The genesis of the Hertfordshire scene Clark is now acting as a figurehead for dates back to the late 1960s when a local pub landlord in the village of Codicote decided to host regular sessions. Local saxophone hero Jimmy Skidmore got involved and invited colleagues and friends to play at the Bell with him. Later Herts Jazz was set up to run the jazz at the pub and audiences grew. Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott, Peter King, Dick Morrissey, Stan Tracey and Tony Coe were just some of the illustrious UK names who played at the pub as well as visiting US players such as Sonny Stitt, Al Cohn, James Moody, Mark Murphy, Eddie “Lockjaw “ Davis and Benny Golson among others.

The club also showcased young up and coming players such as Clark Tracey himself, and Guy Barker, Mark Nightingale, Tommy Smith, Gerard Presencer, Alan Barnes and David Newton in the early parts of their careers. The Bell sessions ended in the 80s and Herts jazz moved to Welwyn Garden City and then the Panshanger Golf Complex, just outside Welwyn.

But now Clark’s plans for Herts Jazz, back where it all started at the Bell in Codicote, include the Stan Tracey Quartet (2 May), The Three Tenors (9), Alan Barnes/Alex Garnett Quintet (16 May), Curios (23 May) and Bruce Adams/Karen Sharp Quintet (30 May).

For more go to www.hertsjazz.co.uk