Acker Bilk MBE
In March 2001 Acker Bilk was honoured with an MBE for his services to the music industry, 2004 saw his arrival in Who’s Who, and 2005, both the BBC Jazz Award for his unique contribution to Jazz in the UK and an Honorary Master of Arts Degree from the University of Bristol. It shows how far Acker has come from his humble beginning.
Acker was born in Pensford, Somerset 28 January 1929. His actual names are Bernard Stanley, but were short-lived as he was soon nick-named Acker, Somerset for friend or mate. His youth was spent in Somerset where his parents tried to teach Acker the piano, but the practising restricted him from being in the countryside, playing football with his mates, or even a little poaching ! It was while sledging that he lost half a finger, and then two teeth in a school punch-up – Acker claims these are the reasons for his recognisable style of clarinet playing!
Acker was born in Pensford, Somerset 28 January 1929. His actual names are Bernard Stanley, but were short-lived as he was soon nick-named Acker, Somerset for friend or mate. His youth was spent in Somerset where his parents tried to teach Acker the piano, but the practising restricted him from being in the countryside, playing football with his mates, or even a little poaching ! It was while sledging that he lost half a finger, and then two teeth in a school punch-up – Acker claims these are the reasons for his recognisable style of clarinet playing!
As
time
Goes
By
In 1948 he started playing the clarinet and whilst in the Royal Engineers in the Canal Zone he borrowed a military clarinet and began copying records. He was sent to the Glasshouse for sleeping on duty and endured the boredom by practising.
Demobbed Acker formed his first Band in Bristol, then he and Jean moved to London so he could become the clarinettist with The Ken Colyer Band, but he hated London and returned to Bristol to form the Bristol Paramount Jazz Band. In 1951 this Band returned to London and Jean and Acker survived in a factory attic in Plaistow until the Band got their first big break – six weeks constant playing in a beer bar in Dusseldorf, Germany. They have never looked back
Back in London hit jazz records started Creole Jazz and Summer Set. Then in 1961 Acker recorded Stranger on the Shore, which was originally called Jenny after his daughter, but the title changed when it became the theme tune for a BBC TV series. This was the first-ever recording to be number One simultaneously in the UK and USA charts. It was 55 weeks in the Charts, and in 2002,the 50th anniversary of the start of the official single charts, Stranger on the Shore was acclaimed 58th highest selling single since the charts began.
Acker has received many awards, including platinum and gold discs for many of his numbers, including Aria and of course, Stranger on the Shore.
Over the years Acker varies his recording; Jazz with his Paramount Jazz Band; romantic melodies with string orchestras; and guesting with other prominent Jazz and rock musicians such as the late Humphrey Lyttelton, Van Morrison, Dutch Swing College Band and Papa Bue.
Acker's current Paramount Jazz Band are Ian Bateman, Richie Bryant, John Day, Enrico Tomasso and Colin Wood.
Coming up-to-date in November 2008 Acker was awarded The Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and in April 2009 the Variety Club honoured Acker with a “Tribute to Acker and his Music”.
Having toured the World for nearly 60 years Acker is back living in Somerset. Acker supports many charities including Cancer charities. He also campaigned vigorously for recognition of the troops who served in the Suez Crisis in the Canal Zone and this resulted in recognition and medals being issued in 2003.
Demobbed Acker formed his first Band in Bristol, then he and Jean moved to London so he could become the clarinettist with The Ken Colyer Band, but he hated London and returned to Bristol to form the Bristol Paramount Jazz Band. In 1951 this Band returned to London and Jean and Acker survived in a factory attic in Plaistow until the Band got their first big break – six weeks constant playing in a beer bar in Dusseldorf, Germany. They have never looked back
Back in London hit jazz records started Creole Jazz and Summer Set. Then in 1961 Acker recorded Stranger on the Shore, which was originally called Jenny after his daughter, but the title changed when it became the theme tune for a BBC TV series. This was the first-ever recording to be number One simultaneously in the UK and USA charts. It was 55 weeks in the Charts, and in 2002,the 50th anniversary of the start of the official single charts, Stranger on the Shore was acclaimed 58th highest selling single since the charts began.
Acker has received many awards, including platinum and gold discs for many of his numbers, including Aria and of course, Stranger on the Shore.
Over the years Acker varies his recording; Jazz with his Paramount Jazz Band; romantic melodies with string orchestras; and guesting with other prominent Jazz and rock musicians such as the late Humphrey Lyttelton, Van Morrison, Dutch Swing College Band and Papa Bue.
Acker's current Paramount Jazz Band are Ian Bateman, Richie Bryant, John Day, Enrico Tomasso and Colin Wood.
Coming up-to-date in November 2008 Acker was awarded The Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and in April 2009 the Variety Club honoured Acker with a “Tribute to Acker and his Music”.
Having toured the World for nearly 60 years Acker is back living in Somerset. Acker supports many charities including Cancer charities. He also campaigned vigorously for recognition of the troops who served in the Suez Crisis in the Canal Zone and this resulted in recognition and medals being issued in 2003.
