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One of the UK's finest and most distinctive saxophonists, Bobby Wellins turned 80 last month. Geoffrey Smith salutes a distinguished career, and the passionate, poignant sound which has led the way on such classic recordings as Stan Tracey's 'Under Milk Wood'.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 21 Feb 201600:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • John Dankworth

    Weller Never Did

    • I Hear Music.
    • Salvo.
    • 7.

  • The Stan Tracey Quartet

    Starless And Bible Black

    Performer: The Stan Tracey Quartet. Performer: Tracey, Stan & Bobby Wellins.
    • STAN TRACEY'S JAZZ SUITE: INSPIRED BY DYLAN THOMAS' UNDER MILK WOOD.
    • JAZZIZIT.
    • 2.

  • Stan Tracey Big Band

    Afro-Charlie Meets The White Rabbit

    Performer: Stan Tracey Big Band. Performer: The Stan Tracey Big Band.
    • Alice in Jazz Land.
    • ReSteamed Records.
    • 2.

  • Jimmy Knepper & Bobby Wellins

    Latterday Saint

    Performer: Jimmy Knepper & Bobby Wellins. Performer: Jimmy Knepper. Performer: Bobby Wellins. Performer: Joe Temperley. Performer: Pete Jacobson.
    • Special Relationship.
    • HEP.
    • 12.

  • Stan Tracey & Bobby Wellins

    Misterioso

    • Tribute to Monk.
    • Switch.
    • 3.

  • Bobby Wellins

    Nomad

    • Nomad.
    • Hot House Records Ltd.
    • 23.

  • Bobby Wellins

    For All We Know

    Performer: Bobby Wellins. Performer: Bobby Wellins Quartet.
    • The Satin Album.
    • Jazzizit.
    • 5.

  • Bobby Wellins

    Dunna Runner

    • Fun.
    • JAZZIZIT.
    • 4.

  • Bobby Wellins

    Time Gentlemen, Please

    • Time Gentlemen, Please.
    • Trio Records.
    • 1.

  • Bobby Wellins & Royal Scottish National Orchestra

    Epilogue

    • Culloden Moor Suite.
    • Spartacus Records.
    • 5.

Performers:

Title: Weller Never Did
Artist: John Dankworth 
Composers: John Dankworth 
Album Title: I Hear Music 
Label: Salvo Catalogue No: BX-403 
Duration: 01:59 

Title: Starless and Bible Black
Artist: Stan Tracey 
Composers: Tracey 
Album Title: Stan Tracey’s Jazz Suite – Inspired by Under Milk Wood
Label: JAZZIZIT Catalogue No: JITCD-9815 
Duration: 03:45
Performers: Stan Tracy, piano; Bobby Wellins, tenor saxophone; Jeff Clyne, double bass; Jackie Dougan, drums.

Title: Afro-Charlie Meets The White Rabbit
Artist: The Stan Tracey Big Band 
Composers: Stan Tracey 
Album Title: Alice in Jazz Land 
Label: ReSteamed Records Catalogue No: RSJ-102 
Duration: 04:59
Performers: Kenny Baker, Eddie Blair, Ian Hamer, Les Condon, trumpets; Keith Christie, Chris Smith, Wally Smith, trombones; Alan Branscombe, Ronnie Baker, alto saxophones; Ronnie Scott, Bobby Wellins, tenor saxophones; Harry Klein, baritone saxophone; Stan Tracey, piano; Jeff Clyne, double bass; Ronnie Stephenson, drums

Title: Latterday Saint
Artist: Jimmy Knepper & Bobby Wellins 
Composers: Jimmy Knepper 
Album Title: Special Relationship 
Label: HEP Catalogue No: HEPCD-2012 
Duration: 07:22
Performers: Jimmy Knepper, trombone; Bobby Wellins, tenor; Pete Jacobsen, piano; Dave Green, bass; Ron Parry, drums


Title: Misterioso
Performers: Stan Tracey & Bobby Wellins 
Composers: Thelonious Monk 
Album Title: Tribute to Monk 
Label: Switch Catalogue No: SWLP-001 
Duration: 06:40

Title: Nomad
Artist: Bobby Wellins 
Composers: Wellins,
Album Title: Nomad 
Label: Hot House Records Ltd Catalogue No: HHCD-1008 
Duration: 04:35 
Performers: Bobby Wellins, tenor saxophone; Jonathan Gee, piano; Thad Kelly, bass; Spike Wells, drums; Claire Martin, vocals.


Title: For All We Know
Artist: Bobby Wellins Quartet 
Composers: Coots/Lewis 
Album Title: The Satin Album 
Label: Jazzizit Catalogue No: JITCD-9607 
Duration: 05:17
Performers: Bobby Wellins, tenor saxophone; Colin Purbrook, piano; Dave Green, bass; Clark Tracey, drums

Title: Dunna Runner
Artist: Bobby Wellins 
Composers: Bobby Wellins 
Album Title: Fun 
Label: JAZZIZIT Catalogue No: JITCD0434 
Duration: 06:28
Performers: Bobby Wellins, tenor saxophone; Mark Edwards, piano; Andy De Jong Cleyndert, bass; Spike Wells, drums

Title: Time Gentlemen, Please
Artist: Bobby Wellins 
Composers: Bobby Wellins, John Critchinson, Andrew Cleyndert, Mark Taylor 
Album Title: Time Gentlemen, Please 
Label: Trio Records Catalogue No: TR-587 
Duration: 05:25 
Performers: Bobby Wellins, tenor saxophone; John Critchinson, piano; Andrew Cleyndert, double bass; Mark Taylor, drums.

Title: Epilogue
Performers: Bobby Wellins, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra
Composers: Bobby Wellins 
Album Title: Culloden Moor Suite 
Label: Spartacus Records Catalogue No: STS020 
Duration: 05:07

Broadcast

  • Sun 21 Feb 201600:00
    BBC Radio 3

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  • Geoffrey Smith's Jazz

    Geoffrey Smith's Jazz - a weekly sequence exploring what makes great jazz great music