Title
As Time Goes By


Artist
Acker Bilk

Three years ago, in 2001, Acker was honoured with an MBE for his services to the Music Industry. Well deserved, we feel, and maybe a little overdue. In January 2004 he was also placed in "Who's Who", though we're not quite sure what that signifies! It certainly shows how far Acker has come since his birth in Pensford, Somerset in 1929. His actual name, Bernard Stanley was only short-lived as he was soon called Acker by all, this being Somerset for friend or mate, and if you meet Acker, you will agree that this name is very apt, his warmth of character and wicked sense of humour makes him a friend to all.
Before Acker became a musician he worked at the Bristol Wills Tobacco factory for £1.4s a week, and also dabbled in a little boxing. He married his childhood sweetheart Jean. Then, in 1948 he started playing the clarinet and whilst in the Royal Engineers in the Canal Zone, he borrowed a military clarinet and began to copy records. He was sent to the glasshouse for sleeping on duty and endured with the boredom by practising. Demobbed, Acker formed his first band in Bristol, but soon moved to London to play with the Ken Colyer band. However, he hated London and moved back to Bristol and formed the Bristol Paramount Jazz Band. In 1951 the band played in London, and Acker and Jean had to survive living above a factory in Plaistow, until the band got their first big break - six weeks constant playing in a beer hall in Dusseldorf. This really disciplined the band, and they never really looked back. Hit Jazz records followed such as "Summer Set" and "Creole Jazz".
Then, in 1961, Acker recorded "Stranger On The Shore". This was an international hit, and the first ever record to be No.1 in the UK and US at the same time, although there is a slight dispute over the UK charts as there were so many different charts. In 2002, the year of the 50th Anniversary of the start of the Official UK Charts, Acker was delighted when "Stranger On The Shore" was acclaimed No.58 in the charts since they began.
Having reached the majestic age of 75 Acker is very keen on painting the Somerset countryside with a group of old friends coming from his childhood days and his very first band, so he has had to lighten the workload of touring. He is often asked to guest with other bands, but he feels that his loyalties lie with the Paramount Jazz Band, and only accepts the occasional solo gig in Bristol, or maybe the Edinburgh Jazz Festival with Humphrey Lyttleton. He gets many offers to go back to Australia and New Zealand (where his popularity is massive), but his dislike of long haul flights means that he reluctantly refuses.
2004 sees the continuation of the 3B's Concerts, reuniting Acker and his Band with The Big Chris Barber Band and Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. 'Giants Of Jazz' concerts with Humphrey Lyttleton and George Melly are also scheduled.

Having toured the world for 50 years and seen most of its wonders, it is typical of Acker that he and Jean have built a bungalow in Pensford in the Somerset countryside. They have a daughter, Jenny, and a son, Peter, both of whom live just north of London. Jenny was the inspiration for "Stranger On The Shore", the song was actually called "Jenny" until it was used for a TV theme. Although Acker will always be synonymous with the waistcoat and bowler hat, he is a very serious musician and also very professional. From Acker: "I can't believe that I actually get paid for doing what I love most in the world". This great master of the clarinet has a style that is unique.

Tracklist

1) Memphis Blues
2) Riverboat Shuffle
3) My Baby Just Cares For Me
4) Wa Bash Blues
5) Panama Rag
6) That Lucky Old Sun
7) I've Got The World On A String
8) My Blue Heaven
9) Livery Stable Blues
10) Mood Indigo
11) What A Friend We Have In Jesus
12) Stranger On The Shore
13) Blues Walk
That's My Home